L3 Harris, the final shafting
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Southampton
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: In the SIM
Stone Cold 2,
You should drive by tomorrow, I have just looked at the SIM schedule, and they are all in use.
And did you know that some of the training is done with motion off? Obviously you don't.
You should drive by tomorrow, I have just looked at the SIM schedule, and they are all in use.
And did you know that some of the training is done with motion off? Obviously you don't.
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Edinburgh
L3Harris
Hi all,
I am looking to start my UK Integrated ATPL training at the start of next year and have managed to whittle the countless UK flight school options down to L3Harris. From looking at their website, their promotional videos and video tours of the facilities it is where I picture myself the most. Their pilot placement pool, reputation and links with major airlines is very appealing and I believe these atributes would help me get a job in what will be a very competitive market in 2 years time.
Anyhow, I have now started to look at reviews for this company and every single review says the same thing: L3Harris Integrated course is a waste of money, there are constant delays in the flying phases of training with integrated students at the bottom of the pecking order below MPL and RAF cadets adding months on to the advertised duration of the course. They also say that the students are treated as a number with no regard for the fees they have paid and the lack of communication and service they are receiving. A lot of reviews mention that the pilot placement pool is nothing to be excited about, the links that L3Harris has with airlines is dwindling and most students manage to find their own job quicker and with no help from the company (this could be pre covid of course when jobs were in abundance). I did speak to a careers advisor at L3 who mentioned that since the MPL cadet programmes are not running at the moment then there shouldn't be any extra delays in the flying phases due to oversubscription of students but the reviews still paint L3 in a bad light.
Is there any current or past L3Harris students here, or anyone in the know, that are able to confirm or elaborate on the above concerns? I get the feeling I have been fooled by the L3Harris marketing and I may as well pay less money and go to a less well known flight school but get a better service and potentially have the same chance of finding my own job as if I went to L3.
Many thanks in advance for any advice.
I am looking to start my UK Integrated ATPL training at the start of next year and have managed to whittle the countless UK flight school options down to L3Harris. From looking at their website, their promotional videos and video tours of the facilities it is where I picture myself the most. Their pilot placement pool, reputation and links with major airlines is very appealing and I believe these atributes would help me get a job in what will be a very competitive market in 2 years time.
Anyhow, I have now started to look at reviews for this company and every single review says the same thing: L3Harris Integrated course is a waste of money, there are constant delays in the flying phases of training with integrated students at the bottom of the pecking order below MPL and RAF cadets adding months on to the advertised duration of the course. They also say that the students are treated as a number with no regard for the fees they have paid and the lack of communication and service they are receiving. A lot of reviews mention that the pilot placement pool is nothing to be excited about, the links that L3Harris has with airlines is dwindling and most students manage to find their own job quicker and with no help from the company (this could be pre covid of course when jobs were in abundance). I did speak to a careers advisor at L3 who mentioned that since the MPL cadet programmes are not running at the moment then there shouldn't be any extra delays in the flying phases due to oversubscription of students but the reviews still paint L3 in a bad light.
Is there any current or past L3Harris students here, or anyone in the know, that are able to confirm or elaborate on the above concerns? I get the feeling I have been fooled by the L3Harris marketing and I may as well pay less money and go to a less well known flight school but get a better service and potentially have the same chance of finding my own job as if I went to L3.
Many thanks in advance for any advice.
de minimus non curat lex
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 7
From: sunny troon
There is sufficient advice on PPRuNe as to the ‘challenges’ of being a L3 customer.
You seem to recognise that Snake Oil Salesmen exist.
I recently gave advice as to what potential junior birdmen need to consider before spending their hard earned cash. I suggest you read that, and other sound advice by RUDESTUFF in his posts. Do this research before proceeding any further.
The maxims are : CAVEAT EMPTOR + DUE DILIGENCE
Obtain your Class One Medical before anything else.
You seem to recognise that Snake Oil Salesmen exist.
I recently gave advice as to what potential junior birdmen need to consider before spending their hard earned cash. I suggest you read that, and other sound advice by RUDESTUFF in his posts. Do this research before proceeding any further.
The maxims are : CAVEAT EMPTOR + DUE DILIGENCE
Obtain your Class One Medical before anything else.
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 911
Likes: 334
From: uk
You have been given the information through pprune. Disregarding the white noise around here the overall point repeatedly made is that L3 have no influence with any airlines in the UK because there Is virtually zero pilot recruitment. If they tell you any different you are being lied to. They do apparently have some foreign contracts plus the Air Force but do not expect to be delay free and do not expect much respect in return for the overpriced product. It has been repeatedly said and if you are genuinely enthusiastic about Aviation, take the modular route, enjoy the journey and when the time comes you will be eligible for any airline that survives the current carnage. Do not be fooled by marketing experts, they are after your cash. There are repeated warnings on here and caveat emptor really applies. Good luck anyway.
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 588
Likes: 60
From: FLSomething
I’ll keep it short, I was with L3 as it was changing over from CTC. Holy smokes are they cowboys. You are absolutely right in what you’ve heard. Nothing more than a number with a dollar sign around your neck.
They want you to meet the minimum standard and out the door as fast as they possibly can, regardless of how much your training suffers. Unless, of course. It’s cheaper to delay you and take other people’s money. Then they’ll do that, be safe they couldn’t even pretend to give a toss about you as an individual.
All they are good at is branding.
I have NEVER met anyone with a good thing to say about them.
They want you to meet the minimum standard and out the door as fast as they possibly can, regardless of how much your training suffers. Unless, of course. It’s cheaper to delay you and take other people’s money. Then they’ll do that, be safe they couldn’t even pretend to give a toss about you as an individual.
All they are good at is branding.
I have NEVER met anyone with a good thing to say about them.
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Edinburgh
VariablePitchP
You know you have basically just confirmed it for me. I have been the typical sucker for their advertising and their so called world-renowned reputation and airline links. I havn't came across a single review that doesn't criticise their delays and lack of care for the student. Their airline links appear to be dwindling and those who supposidly got job offers with L3's pilot placement pool before they had even finished their course seem to be a thing of the past. Everyone on pprune is right, why pay all that money for the same license you can get elsewhere at half the price, especially in this current climate. I made the naive decision that going with L3 would increase my job prospects all because of their superb marketing. Shame their customer satisfaction isn't so superb. I am now reconsidering the smaller flight schools and the modular route. Back to the drawing board I guess.
Thanks for taking the time to voice your experience.
You know you have basically just confirmed it for me. I have been the typical sucker for their advertising and their so called world-renowned reputation and airline links. I havn't came across a single review that doesn't criticise their delays and lack of care for the student. Their airline links appear to be dwindling and those who supposidly got job offers with L3's pilot placement pool before they had even finished their course seem to be a thing of the past. Everyone on pprune is right, why pay all that money for the same license you can get elsewhere at half the price, especially in this current climate. I made the naive decision that going with L3 would increase my job prospects all because of their superb marketing. Shame their customer satisfaction isn't so superb. I am now reconsidering the smaller flight schools and the modular route. Back to the drawing board I guess.
Thanks for taking the time to voice your experience.