PPSC, 4 Forces, Pan Am now SFT's Florida connection!?
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PPSC, 4 Forces, Pan Am now SFT's Florida connection!?
After all that went on last week has anyone heard whats going on at Ambassador Florida where SFT is sending students? Just heard from a student there that they closed their Maintenance facility down yesterday and their affiliated Airline is dead in the water. What about the school - will it stay open without the Maintenance facility?
Info please.....
Info please.....
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I hadn't heard that, but would be very interested to know the score as I am about to commit to SFT which would see me out in Florida by mid October - they have told me nothing to this effect.
sydneyc
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I wont be going out to florida with SFT but I am just getting ready to commit myself to them for the ATPL. Now with all this news flying around (excuse the pun) does anybody know how stable SFT's Bournemouth base is?
There doesn't appear to be a lot of good news lately!
There doesn't appear to be a lot of good news lately!
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It all seems a bit dicey doesn't it. I'm going to send an email to SFT to see if they will clarify what is going on. If they are about to lose Ambassador then I cannot see how they are going to either continue with their modular course or indeed get their new integrated course off the ground in November. I was right on the brink of handing over my first payment to these guys, but think I'll hold fire until this is cleared up. If anyone else has any other news, please post!
sydneyc
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Slow down guys. Just because one of the newest FTO's and PPSC with a one service business, have bitten the dust. Does not mean any of the other UK FTO's are a financial risk.
I have credit checked SFT, OATS, CABAIR and BAE. (see other thread on risk). All seem a safe bet financially. SFT came very high. Hence I am now bound their way.
Just don't start a panic....
I have credit checked SFT, OATS, CABAIR and BAE. (see other thread on risk). All seem a safe bet financially. SFT came very high. Hence I am now bound their way.
Just don't start a panic....
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Gentleman allow me to correct a few of the above statements.
As part of an ongoing consolidation and drive for greater company efficiency, we at Ambassador Airways have made changes to our operation.
1 "Maintenance facility closed down" - Incorrect, in fact we have elected to stop our Part 145 Maintenance at Naples. As a busy JAA approved flight school we elected to concentrate on just the school's aircraft at Naples and stop the maintenance of outside customer aircraft. Thus demonstarting our commitment to our customers and ensuring that every resource at our disposal is concentrated on the students and the succesful completion of any course that they may be on.
2 "Affiliated Airline dead in the water" - I assume that the airline in question is Florida Air. For information, there is NO affiliation with the above airline, and by way of information - having spoken to the C.E.O. of Florida Air today - I can confirm that approval from the DoT is expected by the end of this month.
In closing, I understand the concern expressed with the recent demise of PPSC. However, rumors are dangerous.
There is no issue here nor has there ever been.
"Fact not Fiction"
As part of an ongoing consolidation and drive for greater company efficiency, we at Ambassador Airways have made changes to our operation.
1 "Maintenance facility closed down" - Incorrect, in fact we have elected to stop our Part 145 Maintenance at Naples. As a busy JAA approved flight school we elected to concentrate on just the school's aircraft at Naples and stop the maintenance of outside customer aircraft. Thus demonstarting our commitment to our customers and ensuring that every resource at our disposal is concentrated on the students and the succesful completion of any course that they may be on.
2 "Affiliated Airline dead in the water" - I assume that the airline in question is Florida Air. For information, there is NO affiliation with the above airline, and by way of information - having spoken to the C.E.O. of Florida Air today - I can confirm that approval from the DoT is expected by the end of this month.
In closing, I understand the concern expressed with the recent demise of PPSC. However, rumors are dangerous.
There is no issue here nor has there ever been.
"Fact not Fiction"
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I agree with Ambassador and Sydneyc with regards to rumours and appreciate Ambassadors comments.
I still feel that all runours have to be investigated - I am a student of PPSC and up until a week before their demise they were bordering on smug in regards the the business they had. In fact, when I asked advice about the company before I signed up with them I was told "PPSC is one of the most reliable companies out there".
So forgive me for the questions Ambassador - I understood from one of your students that the owner of Ambassador also owned the Airline, leading to that question and of course the question to problems within the companies. Then also if you are closing your Maintenance facility (145) how will you be able to service the aircraft?
I still feel that all runours have to be investigated - I am a student of PPSC and up until a week before their demise they were bordering on smug in regards the the business they had. In fact, when I asked advice about the company before I signed up with them I was told "PPSC is one of the most reliable companies out there".
So forgive me for the questions Ambassador - I understood from one of your students that the owner of Ambassador also owned the Airline, leading to that question and of course the question to problems within the companies. Then also if you are closing your Maintenance facility (145) how will you be able to service the aircraft?
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Ambassador,
According to the SFT web site - http://www.sft.co.uk/main.htm Ambassador is not only affiliated with Florida Air but will also assist in getting you a first officer position with them?
Which one is telling the lie then - SFT or Ambassador?
According to the SFT web site - http://www.sft.co.uk/main.htm Ambassador is not only affiliated with Florida Air but will also assist in getting you a first officer position with them?
Which one is telling the lie then - SFT or Ambassador?
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Ambassador,
Understand where these people are coming from, most of them have taking the maxinium out for loans out to support there flight training, if a flight school goes out of business a lot could not afford to continue after spending 1000s of dollars, i don't know if you American or English, but flight training in the UK costs anywheres (Fulltime) from $35,000 to $60K+.
I for one went to PPSC 5yrs ago, i could never imagine if the company went out of business then, that i'd be where i am now. Simply because of the amount of money i've would of needed to finish it. Would of been impossible for me to obtain. A flight student has many things to worry about last thing he/she needs to worry about if the airline/school are having financial problems.
My point is SFTs web site says one thing you say another, so what is it. I'd be curious to know has Florida Air started its proving runs with the FAA yet. That would be an indication if the communter airline will takeoff so to say.
Rumours are dangrous like you say, that's why the facts need to be told, before it get's out of control. This is the best article below i could find on Florida Air. there are many of on the web from various news papers. Seems to me there are a lot of questions very few answers.
It would be my opinion that i'd be surprised if Florida Air got there approval by the end of the month. Florida Air was quoted to saying they "hoped" to be back flying by the end of june. And the FAA don't move that quick especially here in S FL in issuing 121 or 135 Certs
Published on July 13, 2001, Bradenton Herald, The (FL)COMMUTER AIRLINE STILL SEEKING APPROVAL Florida Air still is waiting to take flight at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport again.The commuter airline, which briefly operated earlier this year before another airline's labor woes grounded both, had hoped to resume service at the airport in June. But federal regulators have yet to approve Florida Air to fly on its own because of questions surrounding its ownership and finances."Those are the areas we're looking at," said Bill Mosley, spokesman for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
[ 17 August 2001: Message edited by: F900B ]
Understand where these people are coming from, most of them have taking the maxinium out for loans out to support there flight training, if a flight school goes out of business a lot could not afford to continue after spending 1000s of dollars, i don't know if you American or English, but flight training in the UK costs anywheres (Fulltime) from $35,000 to $60K+.
I for one went to PPSC 5yrs ago, i could never imagine if the company went out of business then, that i'd be where i am now. Simply because of the amount of money i've would of needed to finish it. Would of been impossible for me to obtain. A flight student has many things to worry about last thing he/she needs to worry about if the airline/school are having financial problems.
My point is SFTs web site says one thing you say another, so what is it. I'd be curious to know has Florida Air started its proving runs with the FAA yet. That would be an indication if the communter airline will takeoff so to say.
Rumours are dangrous like you say, that's why the facts need to be told, before it get's out of control. This is the best article below i could find on Florida Air. there are many of on the web from various news papers. Seems to me there are a lot of questions very few answers.
It would be my opinion that i'd be surprised if Florida Air got there approval by the end of the month. Florida Air was quoted to saying they "hoped" to be back flying by the end of june. And the FAA don't move that quick especially here in S FL in issuing 121 or 135 Certs
Published on July 13, 2001, Bradenton Herald, The (FL)COMMUTER AIRLINE STILL SEEKING APPROVAL Florida Air still is waiting to take flight at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport again.The commuter airline, which briefly operated earlier this year before another airline's labor woes grounded both, had hoped to resume service at the airport in June. But federal regulators have yet to approve Florida Air to fly on its own because of questions surrounding its ownership and finances."Those are the areas we're looking at," said Bill Mosley, spokesman for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
[ 17 August 2001: Message edited by: F900B ]
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Thats right Ambassador - SFT are advertising Florida Air as your asscociate airline - so why are you saying you are not an affiliate?
www.sft.co.uk (look under training facilities and then flight training.)
I understand that the airline has already been in operation however, is no longer running due to financial problems. How can you offer a program that you say you are not affiliated with and that is not in operation?
What are the facts???????????
www.sft.co.uk (look under training facilities and then flight training.)
I understand that the airline has already been in operation however, is no longer running due to financial problems. How can you offer a program that you say you are not affiliated with and that is not in operation?
What are the facts???????????
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Just having another think about the SFT/Ambassador Airways/Florida Air "affiliation".
The information on the SFT website - which is presumably aimed at UK flight students (rather than American Citizens) - suggests that there is a track towards a first officer position with the airline (which isn't operating?).
Can anyone from SFT or Ambassador explain the visa process for this?
I am led to believe that Ambassador had a potential customer refused entry to the USA recently because he didn't have a visa to do a PPL - so how are they going to get permission for an inexperienced, non-US citizen, pilot to take gainful employment as a crew member on a US airline??
Now that would be information that many many students would like - what a brilliant sales pitch. Ambassador, here is your chance to clean up on the training market. Everybody will want to come.
The information on the SFT website - which is presumably aimed at UK flight students (rather than American Citizens) - suggests that there is a track towards a first officer position with the airline (which isn't operating?).
Can anyone from SFT or Ambassador explain the visa process for this?
I am led to believe that Ambassador had a potential customer refused entry to the USA recently because he didn't have a visa to do a PPL - so how are they going to get permission for an inexperienced, non-US citizen, pilot to take gainful employment as a crew member on a US airline??
Now that would be information that many many students would like - what a brilliant sales pitch. Ambassador, here is your chance to clean up on the training market. Everybody will want to come.
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Ambassador,
I was reading your post and since you talk to the CEO of FlAir all the time, I was
wondering if you could answer some questions for me about the Airline.
1) Since the Cessna Caravans were repossessed by the owner for nonpayment, have there been any further negotiations to get the airplanes back or will you go to a different type of aircraft?
2) When the Caravans were repossessed the the CEO of FlAir had removed all the radios from the aircraft to stop the aircraft from being flown. What is the current status on the felony case for tampering and theft?
3) Since FlAir failed to pay any payroll taxes on any of its employees, what is the current status of the Federal Investigation?
4) Since FlAir failed to pay any sales tax on any of the tickets sold, what is the current
status of the State of Florida Department of Revenue Investigation?
5) When an aircraft diverted to another airport due to weather, the CEO of FlAir ordered the aircraft to return and land at the airport that was below minimums. What is the status into the F.A.A. Investigation at the Miami Flight Standards District Office into the CEO acting against Federal Aviation Regulations?
6) Since FlAir failed to pay employees of the company in the past and the employees had
to walk off the job to force the CEO to pay them, what percentage of those employees
do you expect to get back if and when operations resume?
7) Since FlAir advertised to the public that it was offering Jetstream service to the
passengers and showed up in Caravans, Navajos and Barons to take the passengers, what is the status into the charges of defrauding the public?
8) With all the bad checks FlAir wrote along with all the debts to airports it has yet to pay, does FlAir plan to pay those companies and airports? If not, will FlAir then operate out of new airports it does not owe money to?
9) Since Flair stopped operating has the people who booked and paid for flights been
reimbursed? If not, is there any date those people should expect to receive their money
back?
10) With everything FlAir has done, what do you think the odds are they will fly again
and when?
Hope to hear back soon.
I was reading your post and since you talk to the CEO of FlAir all the time, I was
wondering if you could answer some questions for me about the Airline.
1) Since the Cessna Caravans were repossessed by the owner for nonpayment, have there been any further negotiations to get the airplanes back or will you go to a different type of aircraft?
2) When the Caravans were repossessed the the CEO of FlAir had removed all the radios from the aircraft to stop the aircraft from being flown. What is the current status on the felony case for tampering and theft?
3) Since FlAir failed to pay any payroll taxes on any of its employees, what is the current status of the Federal Investigation?
4) Since FlAir failed to pay any sales tax on any of the tickets sold, what is the current
status of the State of Florida Department of Revenue Investigation?
5) When an aircraft diverted to another airport due to weather, the CEO of FlAir ordered the aircraft to return and land at the airport that was below minimums. What is the status into the F.A.A. Investigation at the Miami Flight Standards District Office into the CEO acting against Federal Aviation Regulations?
6) Since FlAir failed to pay employees of the company in the past and the employees had
to walk off the job to force the CEO to pay them, what percentage of those employees
do you expect to get back if and when operations resume?
7) Since FlAir advertised to the public that it was offering Jetstream service to the
passengers and showed up in Caravans, Navajos and Barons to take the passengers, what is the status into the charges of defrauding the public?
8) With all the bad checks FlAir wrote along with all the debts to airports it has yet to pay, does FlAir plan to pay those companies and airports? If not, will FlAir then operate out of new airports it does not owe money to?
9) Since Flair stopped operating has the people who booked and paid for flights been
reimbursed? If not, is there any date those people should expect to receive their money
back?
10) With everything FlAir has done, what do you think the odds are they will fly again
and when?
Hope to hear back soon.
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Checked the SFT website today - it reads:
"Through Ambassador's associate airline Florida Air, 1st Officer positions available - call for details"
So who's lying? SFT or Ambassador? And, in any case, do you really want to pay your hard earned cash to either without finding out??
"Through Ambassador's associate airline Florida Air, 1st Officer positions available - call for details"
So who's lying? SFT or Ambassador? And, in any case, do you really want to pay your hard earned cash to either without finding out??
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Sounds like the rumours are more fact than fiction although Ambassador would like us to think otherwise!
Sounds like Florida Air has some personal grief with the airline - do you know how that concerns SFT or Ambassador?
Sounds like Florida Air has some personal grief with the airline - do you know how that concerns SFT or Ambassador?
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Gone West
A US J-1 visa allows you up to two years in the USA for education / training - and that may include, in the context of aviation and similar professions that require experience as part of the qualification, paid work experience. So once you have a CPL you are permitted to work to hour build towards your ATPL up to the two year limit. Some instruct, others get GA jobs although the employer has either to be the sponsoring organisation or have the agreement of the sponsoring organisation (i.e. you can't go off and get yourself any old job). Caution - I know this is how it works if you are studying for FAA licences - not sure how it can work with JAR licences which, as far as I know, are not valid for commercial ops in USA.
Another problem with the scheme being discussed is that there are similar schemes for FAA wannabes that basically save airlines paying any salary for F/O's, some even charge for the experience. Others offer dubious sounding S/O positions that cannot legitimately be logged as P2.
Perhaps either SFT, Ambassador or some of our US colleagues would care to comment.
Further caution - the route to CAA/JAR ATPL via FAA CPL/IR + UK conversion has been closed off - now the full JAR IR course has to be completed (£15K - £17K).
Note: check all this out before acting but I'm fairly certain I've got it right.
WE
A US J-1 visa allows you up to two years in the USA for education / training - and that may include, in the context of aviation and similar professions that require experience as part of the qualification, paid work experience. So once you have a CPL you are permitted to work to hour build towards your ATPL up to the two year limit. Some instruct, others get GA jobs although the employer has either to be the sponsoring organisation or have the agreement of the sponsoring organisation (i.e. you can't go off and get yourself any old job). Caution - I know this is how it works if you are studying for FAA licences - not sure how it can work with JAR licences which, as far as I know, are not valid for commercial ops in USA.
Another problem with the scheme being discussed is that there are similar schemes for FAA wannabes that basically save airlines paying any salary for F/O's, some even charge for the experience. Others offer dubious sounding S/O positions that cannot legitimately be logged as P2.
Perhaps either SFT, Ambassador or some of our US colleagues would care to comment.
Further caution - the route to CAA/JAR ATPL via FAA CPL/IR + UK conversion has been closed off - now the full JAR IR course has to be completed (£15K - £17K).
Note: check all this out before acting but I'm fairly certain I've got it right.
WE
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Wang Eye
You are correct on the J1 issue as I myself had a J1. However, the US school/Airline needs to be approved to offer the Visa. Bascially, they send you the paperwork, you go to the Embassy and get issued a visa. You cannot have any licences before you apply and the paperwork will state what type of work experience you will be allowed to do whether or not for renumeration. Even though you may not be getting paid for the job ie students paying for their Airline time, this is still considered a job if the aircraft requires 2 pilots. Therefore in the eyes of US Immigration you will need to have a Work Visa to sit in the aircraft and pay for the time. I tried this route myself!
Ambassador are not approved to do this - in fact there seem to be just 4 schools that can in Florida. Not even Flair is J1 approved. You can find all listed schools at the US Embassy website.
As for the licences, to work in the US on a J1 you are supposed to be going to the US to get training and exercise this training. Therefore, the training must be a minimum of FAA Commercial licence.
You are correct on the J1 issue as I myself had a J1. However, the US school/Airline needs to be approved to offer the Visa. Bascially, they send you the paperwork, you go to the Embassy and get issued a visa. You cannot have any licences before you apply and the paperwork will state what type of work experience you will be allowed to do whether or not for renumeration. Even though you may not be getting paid for the job ie students paying for their Airline time, this is still considered a job if the aircraft requires 2 pilots. Therefore in the eyes of US Immigration you will need to have a Work Visa to sit in the aircraft and pay for the time. I tried this route myself!
Ambassador are not approved to do this - in fact there seem to be just 4 schools that can in Florida. Not even Flair is J1 approved. You can find all listed schools at the US Embassy website.
As for the licences, to work in the US on a J1 you are supposed to be going to the US to get training and exercise this training. Therefore, the training must be a minimum of FAA Commercial licence.
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Hey, this internet is a powerful tool, isn't it??
You can actually find out all sorts of setails, on all sorts of subjects, from all sorts of sources...like the board of trade.
When you read lines such as .....
"I assume that the airline in question is Florida Air. For information, there is NO affiliation with the above airline, and by way of information - having spoken to the C.E.O. of Florida Air today ...."
..........it makes you think that two people have bumped into each other. Then you find out that the owner/C.E.O. of the airline is a guy called Rudi Dekkers and the guy who owns Ambassador Airways is a guy called...Rudi Dekkers.
So it seems that Ambassador and Florida Air are owned by the same person. Their own "on field" maintenance facility is closing down. Ambassador and SFT are advertising a training course that could lead a British Citizen into a professional job in the United States with the currently grounded airline (without the correct visa - presumably I.N.S. wave the rules for them) - but there is NO AFFILIATION between them.
OK, think I've got it now. Seems reliable enough to me. How much do you want up front?
You can actually find out all sorts of setails, on all sorts of subjects, from all sorts of sources...like the board of trade.
When you read lines such as .....
"I assume that the airline in question is Florida Air. For information, there is NO affiliation with the above airline, and by way of information - having spoken to the C.E.O. of Florida Air today ...."
..........it makes you think that two people have bumped into each other. Then you find out that the owner/C.E.O. of the airline is a guy called Rudi Dekkers and the guy who owns Ambassador Airways is a guy called...Rudi Dekkers.
So it seems that Ambassador and Florida Air are owned by the same person. Their own "on field" maintenance facility is closing down. Ambassador and SFT are advertising a training course that could lead a British Citizen into a professional job in the United States with the currently grounded airline (without the correct visa - presumably I.N.S. wave the rules for them) - but there is NO AFFILIATION between them.
OK, think I've got it now. Seems reliable enough to me. How much do you want up front?
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Facts Not Fiction Pls, and GoneWest And all Ppruners, A MUST READ ....Your Right Rudi Dekkers is CEO for Ambassador Airways AND Co owner for Florida Air
Source: Naples Daily News
East Naples man crashes plane one day, plans return to skies the next
Thursday, March 16, 2000
By RACHELLE BOTT, Staff Writer
A few bumps and bruises didn't faze James Brodel.
The 70-year-old East Naples man plans to return to the skies today, one day after he crashed a Cessna 152.
Bob Milbert checks the flipped plane before removing it from the Naples Municipal Airport runway on Wednesday. Sylwia Kapuscinski/Staff
"He sat down in the office and said, 'I'm going to fly another Cessna tomorrow,'" Rudi Dekkers, president of Ambassador Airways, said recalling Brodel's reaction to his airplane crash Wednesday morning.
Brodel walked away from the crash at Naples Municipal Airport with minor injuries. The plane wasn't so lucky.
"It's totaled," Dekkers said of the $35,000 plane he rented to Brodel.
Brodel couldn't be reached for comment at his Imperial Wilderness home.
His neighbors in the East Naples mobile home park first learned about the crash on the 6 o'clock news and declined to comment.
During the landing, a wheel bent sideways and the nose gear got torn up, Dekkers said, indicating that Brodel had a harsh landing.
If a pilot hits the runway too fast and the plane bounces, then a gust of wind could tip a plane over, the owner said.
Brodel was flying the two-seater - a common training plane - around the Naples area. He was returning to the airport to land around 9:25 a.m., Naples Police and Emergency Services officials said.
Aviation authorities say a strong gust of wind cutting across the runway caused the plane to flip tail over propeller, landing in the grass next to the runway.
"It's best to have the wind in front of you because it slows you down," said airport Executive Director Ted Soliday.
Plane crashes are rare in the Naples area, Soliday said.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating Wednesday's crash.
Brodel began flying on Jan. 17 and had logged just under 38 hours of flying time, Dekkers said. He hasn't had any other problems while flying and has a good medical record, the plane owner said.
Source : Florida union times
"Getting off the ground Rudi Dekkers knows the challenges -- others have tried and failed to successfully launch a Florida-only commuter airline -- but he is determined that his start-up, Florida Air, will succeed"
Remember what he said Ambassador said.
A RED FLAG IF YOU ASK ME
" For information, there is NO affiliation with the above airline, and by way of information - having spoken to the C.E.O. of Florida Air today"
[ 21 August 2001: Message edited by: F900B ]
[ 21 August 2001: Message edited by: F900B ]
Source: Naples Daily News
East Naples man crashes plane one day, plans return to skies the next
Thursday, March 16, 2000
By RACHELLE BOTT, Staff Writer
A few bumps and bruises didn't faze James Brodel.
The 70-year-old East Naples man plans to return to the skies today, one day after he crashed a Cessna 152.
Bob Milbert checks the flipped plane before removing it from the Naples Municipal Airport runway on Wednesday. Sylwia Kapuscinski/Staff
"He sat down in the office and said, 'I'm going to fly another Cessna tomorrow,'" Rudi Dekkers, president of Ambassador Airways, said recalling Brodel's reaction to his airplane crash Wednesday morning.
Brodel walked away from the crash at Naples Municipal Airport with minor injuries. The plane wasn't so lucky.
"It's totaled," Dekkers said of the $35,000 plane he rented to Brodel.
Brodel couldn't be reached for comment at his Imperial Wilderness home.
His neighbors in the East Naples mobile home park first learned about the crash on the 6 o'clock news and declined to comment.
During the landing, a wheel bent sideways and the nose gear got torn up, Dekkers said, indicating that Brodel had a harsh landing.
If a pilot hits the runway too fast and the plane bounces, then a gust of wind could tip a plane over, the owner said.
Brodel was flying the two-seater - a common training plane - around the Naples area. He was returning to the airport to land around 9:25 a.m., Naples Police and Emergency Services officials said.
Aviation authorities say a strong gust of wind cutting across the runway caused the plane to flip tail over propeller, landing in the grass next to the runway.
"It's best to have the wind in front of you because it slows you down," said airport Executive Director Ted Soliday.
Plane crashes are rare in the Naples area, Soliday said.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating Wednesday's crash.
Brodel began flying on Jan. 17 and had logged just under 38 hours of flying time, Dekkers said. He hasn't had any other problems while flying and has a good medical record, the plane owner said.
Source : Florida union times
"Getting off the ground Rudi Dekkers knows the challenges -- others have tried and failed to successfully launch a Florida-only commuter airline -- but he is determined that his start-up, Florida Air, will succeed"
Remember what he said Ambassador said.
A RED FLAG IF YOU ASK ME
" For information, there is NO affiliation with the above airline, and by way of information - having spoken to the C.E.O. of Florida Air today"
[ 21 August 2001: Message edited by: F900B ]
[ 21 August 2001: Message edited by: F900B ]