Professional Flight Training - IR CPL MEP
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: England
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As a former PFT student, I am very surprised to hear the news. Agree with an earlier comment that Cliff Rand was a tremendous asset to the school. His instruction was the best I've ever come across. I feel for the students who have lost out. I had a bad experience in the past with OFT. Needlessly spent £5000. I know the sick to the stomach feeling. Best wishes to the students affected. You will come through it, though as I'm still unemployed 24 months on, is it worth it?? Unfortunately, the advice "never pay up front" seems to fall on deaf yeras. Funnily enough, when I trained, I paid in £2000 installments, no problem. Clearly M.B. changed his policy. Keep your chins up guys.
Join Date: Jul 2008
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PFT
I trained there back in 2007 and had the pleasure of Mr Rand as my instructor and I took no crap off MB from the start, especially as the do not pay loads up front had been doing the rounds for as long as I could recall and I basically went along the lines of 'pay as you go' even though i was paying over £1000 every other day, I preferred it to be in my account than his.
There seemed to be too many students start for the slots available on the one aircraft too, hence the feel of MB being money orientated rather than student needs/requirements.
He didn't just treat his students this way there was a lovely and helpful female member of staff there at the time, anyone remember her 'Liz' he treated her just as bad, she did so much PR work and development for him and she left in the end because of bad treatment and failing to be paid.
The one good thing I would say was, MB was true to his word that should I have got an interview for an airline he would provide an hour in the sim FOC and he did, even offered a discounted price should i want to go and have more time in the 737-200, I know this was owned and run by European as I did my MCC with them.
Other than that I wish all those that have been so badly let down all the luck with completing their training.
There seemed to be too many students start for the slots available on the one aircraft too, hence the feel of MB being money orientated rather than student needs/requirements.
He didn't just treat his students this way there was a lovely and helpful female member of staff there at the time, anyone remember her 'Liz' he treated her just as bad, she did so much PR work and development for him and she left in the end because of bad treatment and failing to be paid.
The one good thing I would say was, MB was true to his word that should I have got an interview for an airline he would provide an hour in the sim FOC and he did, even offered a discounted price should i want to go and have more time in the 737-200, I know this was owned and run by European as I did my MCC with them.
Other than that I wish all those that have been so badly let down all the luck with completing their training.
Join Date: Mar 2006
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To be honest, if people are still paying large deposit's up front for a licence, whether CPL/ME or IR, you are nuts and can expect to loose it!
Take every business as a pince of salt and YOU control your money flow i.e. PAY AS YOU GO or even in very small lump sumps, in separate amounts.
This is exactly what I'm doing and I've taken action to minimise money I have in a flying account, in case of the worst ever happening - which you can never tell, but better to be safe than sorry! ... in short, I wouldn't loose much if a company went under!
Take every business as a pince of salt and YOU control your money flow i.e. PAY AS YOU GO or even in very small lump sumps, in separate amounts.
This is exactly what I'm doing and I've taken action to minimise money I have in a flying account, in case of the worst ever happening - which you can never tell, but better to be safe than sorry! ... in short, I wouldn't loose much if a company went under!
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Just discovered this thread - as a former student I am sadly not surprised to hear what has happened. Indeed I haven't flown since I left there. Thoroughly demoralised by the whole experience. I truly hope that the guys and gals who are out of pocket get some recompense.
This kind of thing is a national embarassment and the CAA should view it as such.
Good luck to all who have been wronged.
This kind of thing is a national embarassment and the CAA should view it as such.
Good luck to all who have been wronged.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: sw london
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Ginger,
Sorry to hear about your experiences, however Mike does come from the same line of crooks as Colin Green, Tony Kember etc...all plied their trade at SFT, and in the case of Kember his was the chief flight examiner for many years. Hence the reason the CAA do not want to get involved, I believe they are as culpable as the three amigos and if they had any sense of morality would have shut PFT down ages ago when you consider the first time pass rate was 5%.
There is a story circulating that a student of PFT paid £5k+ into their account in the form of a cdl, this person has now got a huge debt and nothing to show for it, sadly in a situation like this the person would have no option but to deposit the monies directly to the company.
Rob
Sorry to hear about your experiences, however Mike does come from the same line of crooks as Colin Green, Tony Kember etc...all plied their trade at SFT, and in the case of Kember his was the chief flight examiner for many years. Hence the reason the CAA do not want to get involved, I believe they are as culpable as the three amigos and if they had any sense of morality would have shut PFT down ages ago when you consider the first time pass rate was 5%.
There is a story circulating that a student of PFT paid £5k+ into their account in the form of a cdl, this person has now got a huge debt and nothing to show for it, sadly in a situation like this the person would have no option but to deposit the monies directly to the company.
Rob
Join Date: Apr 2009
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As being one of the victims I can say this smooth talking confidence man mike bolton as a CFI hasn't got a clue about students or teaching in or out the of sim - what kind of sim instructor takes £200 per hour from a student and doesn't pay any attention to what he's teaching at that time because he's texting and playing with the mobile phone - not giving briefs before the session or any de-briefs after - this substandard level of teaching will always guarantee that the students run over budget and time - the students never had a chance!!!!
And that people!! will be enforced by the students of past, present and CAA examiners at bournemouth and they can all give you there independent opinions on PFT - so if your thinking about training at PFT or at STS for your IR or revalidation ASK someone!!!!!! Ask the schools and the instructors on the air field who have had to pick up the pieces and shattered dreams and try to rebuild them for the students.....
So never mind the amount for cash he owes the current full time students - if the rumours are correct and tony kember and his irish friends are going to buy PFT and then proceed to keep mike boulton as head of training for the 1st year - then we all need to watch out!!!
So, we need to ask the CAA, if there going to let mike boulton and friends get away with this so called excellent standard of teaching again!!!! 'taking massive amounts of money for massively over budget unfinished IR's and CPL's..... (Where the average IR from scratch will cost you in the region of £27,000 and FAA conversions in the region of 20hours in the sim and costing £9,000)......a lot of pain and heart ace'...I'd call it day light robbery!!!!!!!!
But don't take my word for it!!! My suggestion would be ask the ATPL ground schools and overseas partners, the current and past sets of students, the staff, FI's that have been turfed out and the recent set of CAA examiners to give you their opinions on this situation, the company, man they call mike boulton....and although the quotes from other the schools may look more expensive on paper they'll save you so much more in the long run!!!!
And that people!! will be enforced by the students of past, present and CAA examiners at bournemouth and they can all give you there independent opinions on PFT - so if your thinking about training at PFT or at STS for your IR or revalidation ASK someone!!!!!! Ask the schools and the instructors on the air field who have had to pick up the pieces and shattered dreams and try to rebuild them for the students.....
So never mind the amount for cash he owes the current full time students - if the rumours are correct and tony kember and his irish friends are going to buy PFT and then proceed to keep mike boulton as head of training for the 1st year - then we all need to watch out!!!
So, we need to ask the CAA, if there going to let mike boulton and friends get away with this so called excellent standard of teaching again!!!! 'taking massive amounts of money for massively over budget unfinished IR's and CPL's..... (Where the average IR from scratch will cost you in the region of £27,000 and FAA conversions in the region of 20hours in the sim and costing £9,000)......a lot of pain and heart ace'...I'd call it day light robbery!!!!!!!!
But don't take my word for it!!! My suggestion would be ask the ATPL ground schools and overseas partners, the current and past sets of students, the staff, FI's that have been turfed out and the recent set of CAA examiners to give you their opinions on this situation, the company, man they call mike boulton....and although the quotes from other the schools may look more expensive on paper they'll save you so much more in the long run!!!!
Last edited by indyk; 15th Feb 2010 at 07:17.
Join Date: Sep 2003
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CAA
Does anyone know if the CAA have done anything about this?
I spoke with the examiners just after the school closed and found them to be very approachable and helpful just thought that perhaps someone further up the food chain might have taken a look at this considering how much we pay in fee's etc.
can't imagine why anyone would want to buy this school as it has a bad name and no assets!
I spoke with the examiners just after the school closed and found them to be very approachable and helpful just thought that perhaps someone further up the food chain might have taken a look at this considering how much we pay in fee's etc.
can't imagine why anyone would want to buy this school as it has a bad name and no assets!
Join Date: Apr 2002
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It does surprise that Tony Kember is involved, what surprises and disappoints me is that Mike Edgeworth is alledgedly involved in the new stitch up.
The CAA's lack of action has been nothing short of disgraceful, how can they allow Mike Boulton to continue in business.
Mr Boulton, if you had any sense of dignity give these people back their money...I don't know how you can sleep at night!!
The CAA's lack of action has been nothing short of disgraceful, how can they allow Mike Boulton to continue in business.
Mr Boulton, if you had any sense of dignity give these people back their money...I don't know how you can sleep at night!!
Join Date: Sep 2003
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Does anyone know which CAA department I can complain to about the school and the way we students have been treated I have plenty of witnesses to back up the evidence!!! Or would we be better seeking legal advice?
Cheers
Matty
Cheers
Matty
Join Date: Apr 2008
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From an earlier post in here:
Contact a solicitor today - not tomorrow!
Some students sit at home hoping it will get better. Why will it?
Have the solicitor contact the other students too.
Each of you giving your account of events to the solicitor may cost you £200 in total maybe?
Then copy correspondence to the CAA of the events that you relate to the solicitor. Choose a Bournemouth one.
Each of you individuals are thinking the same thing at home: Maybe if you keep quiet you will get compensated - fat chance!
And if you contact a solicitor today you still might not get compensated but at least its recorded officially and you might get some sense of closure and put this behind you
Find out who the administrator is and register yourself as a creditor. You will then have a legal right to be kept in touch with the winding up of the company and invitations to meetings etc.
You may not get much (any) money back, but it is an education finding out about the murky world of commerce. And you might get the opportunity to vent your spleen at a meeting or two.
You may not get much (any) money back, but it is an education finding out about the murky world of commerce. And you might get the opportunity to vent your spleen at a meeting or two.
Some students sit at home hoping it will get better. Why will it?
Have the solicitor contact the other students too.
Each of you giving your account of events to the solicitor may cost you £200 in total maybe?
Then copy correspondence to the CAA of the events that you relate to the solicitor. Choose a Bournemouth one.
Each of you individuals are thinking the same thing at home: Maybe if you keep quiet you will get compensated - fat chance!
And if you contact a solicitor today you still might not get compensated but at least its recorded officially and you might get some sense of closure and put this behind you
Join Date: Apr 2009
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we the resent hard done by students are asking for all that have trained with PFT to come forward and to give your accounts for how your training went, so that i may document these as proof to the CAA.
just email me here for my direct email address.
thanks
just email me here for my direct email address.
thanks
Join Date: Apr 2009
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Thanks for all your emails so far guys - much appreciated - will get back to you all asap after my exams - now that we have a plan in action...
also a big thanks goes to all the other schools that have had to pick up the students and try and clean up the mess that this school, which may I add is still ripping others off going and trading at European aviation!!!
also a big thanks goes to all the other schools that have had to pick up the students and try and clean up the mess that this school, which may I add is still ripping others off going and trading at European aviation!!!
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Devon, UK
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PFT as an Approved FTO ?
Hi Matt
You could try complaining 'on mass' to 'FTO Approvals' however I think they will only point out they administer to a safety, structure, and compliance but not the financial running of FTO's.
Something for the future, would be to have all schools pay into a scheme such as ATOL or ABTA but for schools, as a catch net for the unsuspecting.
inturn pushing the price of training up!
And yes the school still owes me money too.
You could try complaining 'on mass' to 'FTO Approvals' however I think they will only point out they administer to a safety, structure, and compliance but not the financial running of FTO's.
Something for the future, would be to have all schools pay into a scheme such as ATOL or ABTA but for schools, as a catch net for the unsuspecting.
inturn pushing the price of training up!
And yes the school still owes me money too.
Join Date: Aug 2005
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I received this "out of the blue" email last week! Nearly fell off my chair!
Dear Everbody,
I hope you are all well and working hard to get your flying jobs. I know some of you have already. I am making contact with you to remind you not to let your IR lapse especially if it is your first revalidation. This can be done in the simulator which I am offering at a special rate for ex PFT students. You can also revalidate 3 months before your rating lapses. If you want to contact me my mobile is 07799887xxx. Or email. I am available evenings and weekends as well as during the day.
Kind Regards
Mike Boulton ( HOT )
Dear Everbody,
I hope you are all well and working hard to get your flying jobs. I know some of you have already. I am making contact with you to remind you not to let your IR lapse especially if it is your first revalidation. This can be done in the simulator which I am offering at a special rate for ex PFT students. You can also revalidate 3 months before your rating lapses. If you want to contact me my mobile is 07799887xxx. Or email. I am available evenings and weekends as well as during the day.
Kind Regards
Mike Boulton ( HOT )
Last edited by wangus; 20th Mar 2010 at 17:32.
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Its funny how Mike actually thinks ex PFT students would now go back and give him repeat business! If any thing, he should find a decent and capable instructor to train in the sim, and offer ex PFT students a free reval/renew at the very least. That is after he has returned all monies owed!
But that wouldn't pay for the new 50' yacht would it?
Kes
But that wouldn't pay for the new 50' yacht would it?
Kes
