Bcft or pat cpl/ir

[DFLY]

Question is in the title? Any views on these two flight schools in bournemouth?

[Fanor]

I did all my training at BCFT. I highly recommend it. A very professional outfit with good knowledgeable instructors who are always willing to help. Study material provided is good quality and well written. Facilities and aircraft are good (still have the wonderful Dutchesses and not those awful plastic airplanes).

Go have a look around both before you decide.

Best of luck

[Jwscud]

Echo the advice to look around and visit, but I would strongly recommend PAT. The instructors are second to none (the best instructor I am yet to fly with is at PAT) and they give you the best chance of a first-time pass, which is one of the most valuable things you'll take from your training.

Obviously, I trained there so I have no experience elsewhere, and am thus biased, but it's a good bias to have.

[DFLY]

Thanks for the replies and unfortunately I've visited them both and am still undecided lol.

[bestman]

Another vote for PAT.

[Cows getting bigger]

If you've visited both and still can't decide have a look somewhere else (not that I'm criticising BCFT or PAT who both have a good reputation).

[2 Whites 2 Reds]

Have done training with both in the past. BCFT were a good school and probably still are but last time I popped in there it had very much become newer and shinier with glossy brochures a cheesy pics everywhere. In itself this isn't a bad thing, it shows they're successful and given that these places largely run on reputation they must have lots of satisfied customers. I remain one to this day 5 years on.

PAT never changes, it's a traditional, small but friendly, family run flight school with very high standards and a pleasant atmosphere to go with it. I did my CPL and MEIR with them and would recommend them to anyone.

All the best whatever you decide.

[Fanor]

I agree with cows. If you are still unsure about them after visiting them look at other schools.

[Jwscud]

Another highly recommended school in the SW are Airways in Exeter - a good friend has been recently and speaks well of them. A lot of ex RAF types use them for their conversions I believe which should give you some idea of the standards.

[Robthestudent]

Having done everything at PAT I would recommend them without hesitation. However you do seem rather hesitant about both schools. Do you know what you are looking for? It is a very big decision to make huge investment of this sort that will have a major impact on your life career etc..

good luck

[PPRuNeUser0173]

Both schools are excellent and both operate knackered old Duchesses which have been known to "go Tech" and cause delays to your training. That said they are a very good training aircraft, however there are several other "modular" schools scattered around the UK, so you do have quite a choice as I am sure you already know. Do you have a preference to train from Bournemouth? Another consideration is how experienced are the Instructors. I believe that recently BCFT have gone for the younger and therefore less experienced rather than the ex airline older blokes.