Oxford @ Tyler, Texas

[Hufty]

They are on my list of potential CPL schools and I wondered if anybody has been there and more importantly, emerged with a commercial licence? I hope to start the flying in April but also don't know if Tyler is affected by Hurricanes or other unpleasant wx!

I am also considering them for the remains of my hour building so if anybody can comment on the state of their 152s and how often they are available it would be appreciated.

Thanks.....

[rattlesnake]

Tyler has already successfully trained a number of Integrated and Modular students to the CPL skills test. We were given JAA aproval in May 2002 and have had a significant number of students pass the test.

Like Hampshire, hurricanes hardly happen. We are situated about 90 miles east of Dallas and the tornados originate well west of here and then track to the north of us. Any tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico tracks northeasterly and goes over New Orleans and Louisiana.

Like anywhere else on earth, the weather is not always perfect but we do get 300 plus good flying days a year with 100 mile vis to die for!

We are now disposing of our 152's and have an all Piper fleet of Warriors and Arrows (Six of these are brand spanking new with twin Garmin 430's)

You can obviously see that I am biased - but I think we have a pretty good set-up out here and we're all very proud of it.

[fly-half]

I'm part of a group of 13 OAT students that have been in Tyler, Texas for 69 days now and there have been 19 days with no flying due to bad weather. The worst case in our group has only flown 35 hours. Only one person is due to finish on time.

Of course, no one can help bad weather but guarantees of good instructor/student ratios and enough aircraft and examiners should be kept. I will report back when the improvements that we have asked for time and time again have been made but until then, I cannot recommend Tyler as a good 'fair-weather base' option.

[superstall]

I'm an Oxford student who is currently in Tyler. Fly-half is correct the warrior fleet is not large enough and the aircraft that are here vary in layout and standard of fit, although the arrows do look pretty smart.
As far as the weather goes it is pretty changeable, from low cloud bases, mist, rain, strong winds to clear blue skies and sunshine.
All is not bad though as the instructors are, in my experience, very good.

[RatFace]

I came back from Tyler Texas not long ago with my Cpl completed and passed first time with minimum hours.

I had no complaints what so ever. The Weather was good although we had a few days of storms. And the instruction Excellent.

I definately recomend it. Good Luck

[lancelevin]

Sorry for tagging on to the bottom of this thread, but there seems to be a good opportunity to speak to some OAT student/instructors here.

I am currently looking at flight schools with the intention of starting in July 2003, and I would like to go to OAT. Are they good? Would you recommend them as a training organisation? Any personal views would be much appreciated.

Many thanks.

[Mister Geezer]

fly-half

Your story is not new I am afraid. Sadly your course is not the first to have its fair share of people running late and having to wait for a CPL examiner to come out from the UK etc etc.

Try and get a solution worked out now since you won't find any easy listeners back in the UK who will be willing to listen to your list of troubles!

Good luck

[Hufty]

Thanks to all for your replies. It is good to know the real situation. As with everything, the sales messages and the ultimate service often differ.

It will certainly give me a lot more information when making the final decision.

[Nearly Man]

Tyler, Visa, bummer

Thanks, at least some info on Tyler.

However, I spoke to them at Oxford and being half arabic, which immediately puts me in the baby eating bracket at the moment, they told me it'll be tough getting a M-1 student visa, with a three month wait to look forward to,

Anywhere else doing decent CPL's?

Ta Ta