BCFT
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: United Kingdom
Well... Bournemouth, so that's why I was thinking about it for most of my training. Not exactly sure what I want to do in aviation yet, looking into fic. So really looking for professional flight training from ppl upwards really. I'm guessing saving on accommodation on top makes bcft a good option?
Edit: doing ok money wise, don't have the world so cannot afford l3/FTE etc
Edit: doing ok money wise, don't have the world so cannot afford l3/FTE etc
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
From: N/A
Let me first say that I’m a huge fan of BCFT. I feel of all the intergrated UK based schools, it proberly would be my first choice. But no school gets away scot free from criticism especially from me. But it’s constructive criticism, designed to improve not condem.
I like to advise and encourage British youth to follow their passion reasonably, and take a careful, conservative approach. There are an awful lot of gimmicks and tricks being played, and a few outright scams. Now I’m not a one man, lone Crusader for justice. There are plenty of others who voice similar concerns, and do a far better job at guiding the next generation. But I try to do my part.
BCFT is a Commercial flight training company, designed for future professionals. It is not a flying club. So since your not sure what you want to do in aviation just yet. Why not think about just getting a PPL in the United States for starters. That way if the bug bites, you’ll be ready for the next phase which is hour building. A PPL can take as little as 8 weeks to complete and cost about $10,000. Many people have done it quicker, many more have done it for a lot less. If it’s not your thing, then you have a holiday and come home. There is nothing to sign up for in the US, it’s all pay as you go. If you love it, then I recomend you get a US instrument rating as well.
If you want an impartial recommendation of a Pt 141 school, let me know.
Once you have 175 hours you can rejoin in with BCFT’s program. I was told that their first time pass rate for the ground school was only in the 70% range. This I thought was quite low. I’m not sure why this is, and it doesn’t impact my views on them negatively. It’s just is, what it is.
So, in general BCFT is an excellent choice for a CPL/IRME. You can’t go wrong by choosing them. But would it be my first choice? Actualy Yes, if I wanted to do a university program, of which Kingston is a part of BCFT’s program. But there are so many options, at present there is no clear winner. The choice really comes down to what’s nearest. For you it would be BCFT. Excellent choice.
I like to advise and encourage British youth to follow their passion reasonably, and take a careful, conservative approach. There are an awful lot of gimmicks and tricks being played, and a few outright scams. Now I’m not a one man, lone Crusader for justice. There are plenty of others who voice similar concerns, and do a far better job at guiding the next generation. But I try to do my part.
BCFT is a Commercial flight training company, designed for future professionals. It is not a flying club. So since your not sure what you want to do in aviation just yet. Why not think about just getting a PPL in the United States for starters. That way if the bug bites, you’ll be ready for the next phase which is hour building. A PPL can take as little as 8 weeks to complete and cost about $10,000. Many people have done it quicker, many more have done it for a lot less. If it’s not your thing, then you have a holiday and come home. There is nothing to sign up for in the US, it’s all pay as you go. If you love it, then I recomend you get a US instrument rating as well.
If you want an impartial recommendation of a Pt 141 school, let me know.
Once you have 175 hours you can rejoin in with BCFT’s program. I was told that their first time pass rate for the ground school was only in the 70% range. This I thought was quite low. I’m not sure why this is, and it doesn’t impact my views on them negatively. It’s just is, what it is.
So, in general BCFT is an excellent choice for a CPL/IRME. You can’t go wrong by choosing them. But would it be my first choice? Actualy Yes, if I wanted to do a university program, of which Kingston is a part of BCFT’s program. But there are so many options, at present there is no clear winner. The choice really comes down to what’s nearest. For you it would be BCFT. Excellent choice.
Last edited by button push ignored; 23rd January 2018 at 01:16.
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
From: N/A
I wonder if you were so against the whole notion of 250 hour pilots near the controls of a large jet when you were one of them? Before you were a very senior captain at a worldwide airline on ‘your’ heavy Airbus. How many accidents have there been in the last 20 years attributed to FO inexperience?
If you think I had it easy, your grossly mistaken.
I worked my way up from apprentice aircraft mechanic, to where I am today.
I’m here trying to help, and can do without your lip.
At 250 hours I got my first paying job. It was right seat of a vintage piston twin engine cargo plane hauling high explosives on a Gov’t contract. There were two planes. One was full of dynamite and the other blasting caps. The other co-pilot said he wasn’t going to fly dynamite as it may explode, but was guite content to take the blasting caps.
The first time I got my hands on a Jet was when I bought a Cessna Citation type rating at 1500 hours. Still no job, so I went back to flight instructing. But a short while later I got a right seat job on a Lear Jet. I still instructed and worked on planes on the side. I still do.
The first job with a window seat on a Boeing came at around 2700 hours having spent time as a flight engineer. I was hired by my airline 30 years ago with 3750 hours.
When I say my airline and my jet, obviously I don’t own it. Nor do I own my wife.
But I’m proud to say them all.
So do planes crash because of inexperience co-pilots? Obviously not, but sometimes out there it’s like amateur hour. I think it’s one hell of an imposition to burden a captain with being inexperienced. You are supposed to work as a team. A fat lot of god you’d be if you don’t know your arse from your elbow.
Last edited by button push ignored; 23rd January 2018 at 21:19.
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Channel Islands, UK
Intriguing, from the research I have put in regarding prices and rates compared with most other schools in the southern UK area, BCFT are very well priced in my opinion. I have been enquiring over the past few months for their ATPL ground CPL ME IR etc and they have been more then helpful, I also know a few FO's in the current company I work for that have completed their training with them and highly recommend.
P. S. I'm booked on the Modular ATPL course in November at BCFT this year, so if anyone else is going then hit me up!
P. S. I'm booked on the Modular ATPL course in November at BCFT this year, so if anyone else is going then hit me up!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Cardiff
Intriguing, from the research I have put in regarding prices and rates compared with most other schools in the southern UK area, BCFT are very well priced in my opinion. I have been enquiring over the past few months for their ATPL ground CPL ME IR etc and they have been more then helpful, I also know a few FO's in the current company I work for that have completed their training with them and highly recommend.
P. S. I'm booked on the Modular ATPL course in November at BCFT this year, so if anyone else is going then hit me up!
P. S. I'm booked on the Modular ATPL course in November at BCFT this year, so if anyone else is going then hit me up!
See you there
