Get me out of here?
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2
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From: Spain
Get me out of here?
I am currently one year into an integrated JAA ATPL course at an extremely reputable flight training school. I have completed all of the groundschool and examinations and with 85 hours here, am just about to do my single engine class rating before going onto twin, CPL and IR. The problem I have, is that for one reason or another, I am extremely unhappy with the service being provided at this school. My question to anyone who can provide me with an answer, is, would it be possible at this stage to transfer to another school and carry on with an integrated course?
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 128
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From: Midlands, UK
Spatman,
I very much doubt it, at least in my experience anyway. I know it has been done with modular course students in the past but have not heard of integrated course examples. What does the contract say? Have you paid all your money upfront? Is the service not up to scratch (probably very hard to prove) or perhaps not what you expected? I think an up hill struggle awaits you. One thing I will say is if you go in with all guns blazing the FTO will entrench their position and make life very difficult for you. Adopt a more reasonable attitude and you may achieve some success. However, with a year done and groundschool behind you, surely you could finish in the next 4-6 months?
I very much doubt it, at least in my experience anyway. I know it has been done with modular course students in the past but have not heard of integrated course examples. What does the contract say? Have you paid all your money upfront? Is the service not up to scratch (probably very hard to prove) or perhaps not what you expected? I think an up hill struggle awaits you. One thing I will say is if you go in with all guns blazing the FTO will entrench their position and make life very difficult for you. Adopt a more reasonable attitude and you may achieve some success. However, with a year done and groundschool behind you, surely you could finish in the next 4-6 months?
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Dubh linn...Eire
WOW that is an awful situation, and looking at your location I can put 1+1 together and come up with a surprising answer!
If I were in your shoes I would confront there management with a snag list so to speak and give them what for,although these FTO's don't gurantee you a job they should certainly provide adequate training. Are others encountering these problems, and just outta curiousity could you go into further detail regarding the faults.
If you really wanna move it depends on how much you spent, if all you spent is on what you gained up until now, then perphaps a move may be more benefically, then again a move may look bad from an airline as you could'nt fit in or adapt blahh-blahh......whilst others could.
My advice, Confront them and then take it from there.
Good luck.
If I were in your shoes I would confront there management with a snag list so to speak and give them what for,although these FTO's don't gurantee you a job they should certainly provide adequate training. Are others encountering these problems, and just outta curiousity could you go into further detail regarding the faults.
If you really wanna move it depends on how much you spent, if all you spent is on what you gained up until now, then perphaps a move may be more benefically, then again a move may look bad from an airline as you could'nt fit in or adapt blahh-blahh......whilst others could.
My advice, Confront them and then take it from there.
Good luck.
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,095
Likes: 0
From: UK
These types of situations normally require an edge of diplomacy. Not knowing why you are unhappy is difficult to give concrete advice. Conflict, be it at work or pleasure, can be managed and overcome, but not on your own, in a darkened room: you'll only make yourself bitter and exaserbate the problem. There are also books to consult in dealing with conflict and difficult people/situations.
I would say th the following is the best course of action.
(a) Book an appointment with a necessary senior figure. Don't immediately go to the top man, but perhaps a moderator, and explain you current issues. You could ask for an off the record informal meeting. You should go into the meeting with an open mind. Have a number of options/suggestions up your sleeve. Don't go in guns-blazing and complaining. You'll want them to help you come up with a plan to help you out. Above all, you must explain your issues (but do this diplomtically, and if it is a character clash thing, then tread carefully).
(b) Work out a schedule of actions. Place the actions on other people to come up with a solution. Arrange to have a follow up meeting a few days later. Agree and be willing to compromise, but make sure others have agreed and will take some actions.
(c) If things are not forth-coming, escalate it to the next level, and do the same as above.
I would urge you to take stock of the situation - do not blow your top, confront, or take an agressive standpoint. Gain advice from other neutral third parties (friends etc) and ask them to look logically/objectively at the situation. You also must look objectively, and come up with reasonable alternatives.
I would say th the following is the best course of action.
(a) Book an appointment with a necessary senior figure. Don't immediately go to the top man, but perhaps a moderator, and explain you current issues. You could ask for an off the record informal meeting. You should go into the meeting with an open mind. Have a number of options/suggestions up your sleeve. Don't go in guns-blazing and complaining. You'll want them to help you come up with a plan to help you out. Above all, you must explain your issues (but do this diplomtically, and if it is a character clash thing, then tread carefully).
(b) Work out a schedule of actions. Place the actions on other people to come up with a solution. Arrange to have a follow up meeting a few days later. Agree and be willing to compromise, but make sure others have agreed and will take some actions.
(c) If things are not forth-coming, escalate it to the next level, and do the same as above.
I would urge you to take stock of the situation - do not blow your top, confront, or take an agressive standpoint. Gain advice from other neutral third parties (friends etc) and ask them to look logically/objectively at the situation. You also must look objectively, and come up with reasonable alternatives.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: LHR
I know someone that did just this - transferred from a U.K. based school to one located abroad . As far as I'm aware , it didn't work out . Part of the problem was his for not addressing the issues he was unhappy about at an earlier stage & talking to the right people at the first school . He then took his troubles to another school expecting things to be different & discovered that in reality , most of the integrated schools suffer similar operational problems .
Spatman - you are at 85 hrs with groundschool complete after one year which suggests that progress has been a little slow - was this a result of exam problems or has the flying held you up ? If , as is likely , the problem lies in instructor / aircraft availability , weather or one of the many other flight related problems I'm afraid most schools will provide you with the same scenario . If however you just don't get on with your instructor - speak to him / her first then the CFI ; or else you are being messed around financially , i.e. not getting what you paid for within reason & the constraints of the weather , then you should speak to somone such as a director . It is probably more advantageous to seek help from the school you are currently at & complete the course there than taking your business elsewhere ; these schools have more to gain from making you happy in terms of reputation than losing you to a competitor .
Of course , at the end of the day , you are the customer & therefore should always be right .
Spatman - you are at 85 hrs with groundschool complete after one year which suggests that progress has been a little slow - was this a result of exam problems or has the flying held you up ? If , as is likely , the problem lies in instructor / aircraft availability , weather or one of the many other flight related problems I'm afraid most schools will provide you with the same scenario . If however you just don't get on with your instructor - speak to him / her first then the CFI ; or else you are being messed around financially , i.e. not getting what you paid for within reason & the constraints of the weather , then you should speak to somone such as a director . It is probably more advantageous to seek help from the school you are currently at & complete the course there than taking your business elsewhere ; these schools have more to gain from making you happy in terms of reputation than losing you to a competitor .
Of course , at the end of the day , you are the customer & therefore should always be right .
