Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Wannabes Forums > Professional Pilot Training (includes ground studies)
Reload this Page >

Pilot Training College - Florida Ops closure

Wikiposts
Search

Notices
Professional Pilot Training (includes ground studies) A forum for those on the steep path to that coveted professional licence. Whether studying for the written exams, training for the flight tests or building experience here's where you can hang out.

Pilot Training College - Florida Ops closure

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 23rd July 2012 | 23:28
  #121 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Ireland
Another invalid post with no meaning or relevance a320renewal. Your description is far from reality. I've seen you polluting threads before with your limited knowledge and terrible grammer. A quick look a your post statistics made me laugh. Sometimes its funny to see 'old hands' completely shoot down unnecessary posts/users.

Surprised you're not banned yet.
Sky Scratcher is offline  
Old 24th July 2012 | 00:20
  #122 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: UK
For those who have kids and have either sent them to private education establishments or indeed university, these education facilities impose yearly fees which parents are required to pay in full at the beginning of the term year!

For those of you who say don't pay up front (and I totaly agree I don't think anyone should hand over 80K for a 15 month course at the beginning of that course), do you think the university or private school is going to allow your kid to start their education without the funds in place?

As I believe it has been mentioned above, most of those PTC students did not pay the whole lot in one instalment and I'm pretty sure it would have been in 4 instalments much like OAA, CTC and FTE do, are you now acussing these 4 well known and established pilot training institutions to be 'suspect' and in the same league as PTC?? I don't think so.

That is how companies work these days and yes if you don't like it take your business elsewhere, however as one poster has already stated, if he is offered a part sponsership with Flybe by attending PTC and PTC ask him for 4 instalments or even two instalments over the course of the 15 months, I think most of us would do so.

BA cadet recruits are currently training with OAA, CTC & FTE, I bet they paid whatever the training provider asked them to and if that was an all up payment they probably did so, would those of you who say don't pay in adavnce advise those indivduals to not do so?

The downfall of PTC is probably more to do with the company trying to grow too fast (you could use the word greed!) and stretching itself to the point of collapse. Just look at the number of companies set up and who knows what other avenues the company has expanded towards.

Purchasing a 737 sim and housing it in Cambridge (if they did in fact purcahse it) is not cheap and it's these sorts of things where some companies use cash meant for other avenues (pilot training) to fulfil other aquisitions (737 sim), now I'm not saying that is the case because I don't know but PTC have always tried to play with the 'big boys'; they never were in that group nor ever will!

For all those students affected, I'm sure you're already way ahead on this but your best course of action is for all of you to collectively pursue the company(s) or individual(s) through the legal process.

It's ironic really but PTC through examinership are looking to resurface with a new business plan to conduct only the IR training in Waterford! If my recollection of PTC serves me right, that is how they first started! mainly marketing those with FAA CPL/IR to train at Waterford for conversions to JAA. Even if this were a viable option for PTC now, is anyone really going to go and train with them in the future?

It is a sad state of affairs and one I hope that the students concerned are able to get some recourse from and lets not forget the staff at PTC who through no fault of their own, have overnight become unemployed in this current climate.
redbull21 is offline  
Old 24th July 2012 | 03:13
  #123 (permalink)  
25 Anniversary
 
Joined: Dec 1998
Posts: 4,282
Likes: 6
From: Escapee from Ultima Thule
What those who act the way Mike Edgeworth et al appears to have done is reprehensible. But even without such behaviour, flying schools go tits up. Sometimes it's inept management, sometimes just a poor economy that can't support the business model, and sometimes it's through dishonesty. The point is you have no way of knowing the financial circumstances of a school. Even publicly owned companies' books aren't entirely clear.

That doesn't change the fact that handing over tens of thousands of pounds to any organisation, without any form of funds protection, for what is little more than a nice promise for future value received can't be defended as a particularly sensible way to arrange your flying training.

Pilotbear, you're wrong about your mortgage analogy. You gain the ownership of the property if you complete the contract terms eg the exchange money for the property. If you get the money using a typical loan arrangement then it's the mortgage company that's taking the risk that you're going to pay them back and they - sensibly - don't give you the money without insurance in the form of a mortgage on the property. As long as if you make the loan repayments until the loan is completely paid off then the house is yours.

Would you loan $50,000 or $100,000 to a stranger without security? Because that's pretty much what paying up front is doing.

If you accept a part sponsorship, it's because you think it will fast track you into a nice, shiny jet. If it involves paying large amounts up front then that's a risk you *choose* to take on your route to a jet job, even though there are alternative ways to eventually get there.

Last edited by Tinstaafl; 24th July 2012 at 12:48.
Tinstaafl is offline  
Old 27th July 2012 | 01:22
  #124 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: UK
Examiner appointed to Waterford pilot training school - The Irish Times - Fri, Jul 27, 2012
redbull21 is offline  
Old 31st July 2012 | 19:01
  #125 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: uk
The hairdresser and Capt fantastic

Very interesting reading your comments about PTC and wish you all well. I attended a presentation recently and it sounds like the same bunch are at it again. One was a guy who calls himself Capt Mark Robinson and the other with a strange haircut called Neil Danna Davies. It all sounded to good to be true and have since heard through the grapevine that they were all part of the PTC/ Cabair fiasco. Sounds to me like they are a bunch of wannabies who are trying to financially screw young wannabies.

Do the names ring any bells ??
Flying fast is offline  
Old 1st August 2012 | 15:45
  #126 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Europe
Grind those monkeys down!

Interesting post.Looking at pilotbears previous post where
names are mentioned with relation to this company I don't
see either of these two appearing.
There could in fact,I'm sure,be a whole lot of names from the
world of PTC that could be brought up for examination,including
many (ex)staff members that could also be possibly blamed in
some small,(or large) way for this companys demise,but again
I bet they won't be the same names appearing in the 'boards.ie' post.

Is this a case of going after the monkeys but not the organ-grinders?
jigger01 is offline  
Old 1st August 2012 | 21:57
  #127 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: er...Ireland
Investors attracted to Waterford pilot firm - Business - Longford Leader

It seems the 'Captain' is still free to pedal his snake oil

Last edited by Irelander; 1st August 2012 at 21:59.
Irelander is offline  
Old 2nd August 2012 | 05:11
  #128 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: worldwide
Both individuals named in Flying fast post were ex PTC staff, though I believe they left (or were sacked not sure which!) prior to the company demise. Both also now work for Atlantic Flight training Coventry, not sure if they were briefly connected to Cabair though.

The Captain is an ex student of PTC who didn't finsh the course but then went onto to work at PTC.

The Head Of Training resigned around Christmas 2011, possibly as he saw the writing on the wall!
Bornfreee is offline  
Old 2nd August 2012 | 23:01
  #129 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: all over the place
Firstly, Irelander you have got it spot on...
Secondly, 'the hairdresser and captain fantastic' sounds like a movie!

Now in answer to the post earlier..

MARK ROBERTSON - failed pilot. He was the worst student i had in 10 years of instructing. The only person who I gave up on with the CPL course. Never passed an instrument rating. Excuse after excuse of non performance master . Came over to Florida once for PTC and spent the whole trip while all his colleagues were working pretending to be sick and going to Hooters.

Dana Davies - (Isn't that a girls name?) Never ever been a pilot of any sort whatsoever, nearest he got to aviation was the passenger compartment of an easy jet 737 to Malaga. I thought he was a hairdresser actually.

Sinead O'Marcaigh - Telecoms saleswoman. Knows nothing about aviation except how to lie to get money out of people. A true Edgeworth disciple except....she and Edgeworth are 'partners' even though he is still married and have been for many years as you all know....or didn't they tell you that?

Anything else you want to know?
If you encounter any of these people trying to sell you something run away screaming!

Regarding paying up front, it happened like this;
Method 1,
The students paid money into a holding account and started training. Then at critical moments in the training when the student couldn't say no..(this was all planned in advance) they would get a phone call or email from Sinead or Siobhan or one of the other sales team depending how short of money the Ponzi scheme was saying training was suspended and threatening and YES I mean threatening, to terminate the 'student' from the program ( in Florida the threat that the student would be sent home with no refund) unless they paid in more money to top up the account.
Method 2,
PTC would deliberately over-bill the students and ONLY pay the money back if the student noticed.
Many tried to alert students on here to method 2 while it was happening but the moderator who was clearly allied with edgeworth ( no, not <..>) cut the posts and sent me rude and threatening emails.
Hope he is sleeping soundly now these kids have had their money stolen!

I know for an absolute fact that there are many students that this happened to, I wonder if any of them has the to post to confirm or are you all going to be first officers all your lives...any true Captains out there?

A320 renewal - you are a

Last edited by pilotbear; 3rd August 2012 at 00:06.
pilotbear is offline  
Old 2nd August 2012 | 23:37
  #130 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: my house
Just found this:

No easy path to a high-flying career as a pilot - Latest Business News - Business News - Business - Birmingham Post

"You’ll need to find €85,000 to enrol and if you haven’t got that sort of cash lying around then you’ll need to take out a loan and most likely use your home (or your parents’ home) as security.

Captain Mark Robertson, who is also part of the flight crew selection team, said it’s a commitment that needs to be considered carefully.

“It’s probably the biggest financial commitment of someone’s life, other than buying a house, so it’s not to be taken lightly and it will take you up to ten years to pay it off.”



"Capt Robertson said once students are there they rarely, if ever, fail to deliver. Over a six-year period there have been just two drop-outs – one was kicked out for drinking on campus and the other got pregnant."



"Capt Robertson said: “We train 400 pilots a year but we are going to have to expand to cope with demand from airlines. As many as 79,000 pilots are going to be required in Europe alone over the next 20 years.

As someone who has clearly enjoyed his own flying career he said: “Where else can you go into your office, put the heater on, fly to 35,000 feet and see sunshine every day.”


Lies, lies, lies. Fake captains, liars, cheats, conmen....where the hell is the regulation in the flight training industry. And shame on the IAA for standing by and letting this happen under their noses.

I sincerely hope some of these conmen see the inside of a prison cell, although i doubt it in a country that hasn't managed to jail a single banker yet.
McNulty is offline  
Old 2nd August 2012 | 23:50
  #131 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: all over the place
Mark Robertson IS NOT A CAPTAIN. He is lying, he could not pass his IR!! He has a single engine CPL, that was arranged for him to pass.
OMG the Edgeworth trait of lying about status and qualifications is really being passed down eh?
This has to stop!
How about a newspaper article telling THE TRUTH FOR A CHANGE, Where are all the true investigative journalists? Hiding behind their ipads in the coffee bars hacking into people phones probably

And as for the IAA, That can be answered by the cosy lunches and weekends at Faithlegg country club in Waterford with Edgeworth and the 'other' government lackeys.

As for PTC being reborn...do you not think that every airline in the world will be not be fully informed of the business dealings of Edgeworth along with every name associated with him and PTC........

And If I was him and I owed an eastern european business 1.2 million, I would be wearing a bulletproof vest....only a rumour...

Last edited by pilotbear; 3rd August 2012 at 00:01.
pilotbear is offline  
Old 3rd August 2012 | 08:42
  #132 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: er...Ireland
“...are you all going to be first officers all your lives...any true Captains out there?”
Pilotbear,

Your question reduces all aspects of this sorry tale to its very essence.

Some of the posts here display a thinly veiled admiration for the shyster Edgeworth and his ‘business’ practices.
The concept of trust and essential honesty is now considered to be a weakness to be exploited at every turn.

The meteoric trajectory of Edgeworth to the pinnacle of his ‘Captaincy’ could not have happened without high level political collusion and the tacit approval of the IAA.

I believe it’s standard practice to track the money trail in these types of crimes.
In this particular case it might be enlightening to follow the ink of authorising signatures and stamps and then scout around for the empty brown envelopes.
Irelander is offline  
Old 5th August 2012 | 14:19
  #133 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Everywhere
Status report?

Anyone heard anything regarding the PTC/Edgeworth proceedings? Seems to have gone off the radar!!!!! Anyone?
ollie1997 is offline  
Old 6th August 2012 | 20:13
  #134 (permalink)  
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Around and about
Totally agree, everyone wants it now and that makes you vulnerable to get turned over. A lot of sales techniques really on rash decisions. And even the ba scheme at 100k for a job is so much money. If the industry didn't allow these backhand deals then all the low hour jobs wouldn't be sown up. Unfortunately it seems as though pilots are being squeezed while everyone else takes home the cash. But hey this is the legacy of the last labour government eg you will all go to UNI and all get good jobs. So expectations have been set way above what is realistic. Leading to a generation of angry individuals that feel the world owes them something when it doesn't. Inherent greed by the banking sector doesn't help but when you see all the
Media the majority of young people want to be rich and have all those things. Rather than do something they enjoy even if it isn't the most well paid such as a flying job not just the shiny jet that really should be part of longer term ambitions, but a bonus if you can get it early if that's what you want.
Jugs08 is offline  
Old 14th August 2012 | 15:25
  #135 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Everywhere
MIKE EDGEWORTH’S CRASH LANDING-article from Phoenix Magazine

PILOT SCHOOL boss Mike Edgeworth has been feeling the heat following the news that his Waterford-based company, Pilot Training College Ltd (PTC), has left 34 trainee pilots stranded in Florida, some of whom have paid up to €85,000 for the privilege. Now Goldhawk can reveal that the Edgeworth family went on a big spending spree in early 2008, and bought up 13 houses on a new housing estate in Waterford. And at the end of 2010, PTC had accumulates losses of €2.8m.Documents lodged with theLand Registry show
that in February and March of 2008, Edgeworth bought 11 houses on an estate called Poplar Drive, in Butlerstown just outside Waterford city. This is
located near the Waterford Institute of Technology and about a 20-minute drive from Waterford Airport, where Edgeworth’s PTC is based. Poplar Drive consists of detached three and four-bed houses and one house in this estate recently went on the market with an asking price of €255,000. Edgeworth took out mortgages from Anglo Irish Bank to fund these purchases.
Land Registry files also show that Edgeworth’s children – Ruth (23), Laura (29) and George (31) – also each bought a house in Poplar Drive in 2008, although these purchases were funded through banks other than Anglo. The children are all directors on various Mike Edgeworth-companies. Land Registry files also show that back in 2003, Mike Edgeworth and his wife Ann re-mortgaged their Co Kildare family home with a €1⁄2m mortgage from Bank of Scotland.
In recent media interviews Edgeworth
– who in 2010 was the chairman of the judging panel for the Rose of Tralee – gave no indication that PTC was experiencing financial difficulty. In an interview for The Irish Times last March, he spoke instead about how PTC had just won a major new contract with Gulf Aviation Academy to train 150 cadets over two years, worth €12m. However, the latest accounts filed for PTC – made to the end of 2010 – show that the company had accumulated losses of €2.8m, although it recorded a profit of €135,000 in that financial year.
A company called Shemburn Ltd is the group company for various Edgeworth- related vehicles (ie assorted aviation companies in the UK and Ireland). The latest accounts here showed that Shemburn lost €255,000 in 2010 and had a deficit in shareholders’ funds of more than €1m. A note in those accounts – signed off in August 2011 – states that the company nvolved in a legal action in the Netherlands in which it is being sued by a former contractor named Rene Dijkshoorn, who is claiming €133,000 in respect of unpaid charges of two aircraft and €28,000 over unpaid invoices for replacement engines. Shemburn has lodged a counterclaim for €117,000 for breach of contract against Dijkshoorn.

PTC is not the first time Edgeworth has been involved with a company that has ran into difficulty. In the 1990s, he was the director of a telecommunications company called Alternative Telecommunications Services Ltd – which was active in Russia – although this collapsed into liquidation in 2000. One of the notable directors here was the former Fianna Fáil minister David Andrews, who had stepped down from the board in 1997.
ollie1997 is offline  
Old 14th August 2012 | 15:29
  #136 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: all over the place
So the Fraud squad are after edgeworthless now...about time too.

Garda Fraud Squad considers probe into pilot training college | Irish Examiner

Lets see if the Garda are as corrupt as the government.

Ireland, your reputation hangs on this......


I hear that statements from former employees are being solicited

Bring it on....

Last edited by pilotbear; 14th August 2012 at 15:31.
pilotbear is offline  
Old 14th August 2012 | 17:14
  #137 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Ireland
Interesting to note that this thread hasn't been deleted like so many others that tried to broadcast the truth about PTC's criminal behaviour over the last few years, coincidentally just as the money ran out..... It does beg the question as to how many of these students who were caught up in this mess and have lost a fortune might have given PTC a wide berth had they been able to read all of what previous students had posted. I hope the moderator/s in question are sleeping soundly at night

Last edited by oneinthemirror; 14th August 2012 at 17:16.
oneinthemirror is offline  
Old 14th August 2012 | 17:24
  #138 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Everywhere
Article regarding Edgeworth

http://www.phoenix-magazine.com/phoe...64BA8DD65A819A


one in the mirror, I wholeheartly agree with your statement. The students and their families are the ones who lost out! Shame on people who cover up for companies and disregard the best interests of the students.

Last edited by ollie1997; 14th August 2012 at 17:39.
ollie1997 is offline  
Old 14th August 2012 | 17:31
  #139 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: all over the place
oneinthemirror
thank you for that last statement, that is what I have been trying to do for 5 years
pilotbear is offline  
Old 14th August 2012 | 19:40
  #140 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Europe
Lest we Forget

Never in the field of financial conflict has so much been owed by so few to so many....
jigger01 is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.