Florida OFT
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: S.Wales
Florida OFT
I have been to Florida recently for flight training, and finished my PPL there. I must say that, even tough the weather there is good, and the cost a little less, Orlando Flight Training was an unpleasant experiance.
First off, they are cold to greet you.
Secondly their ac are in poor condition (Brand new PA-28 Warrior 3's have leaky engines, and uneven main gear [oleos lost pressure, but said to be fit to fly, yet the plane is leaning to the right on the apron!]Engine failures in brand new DA-20 Katana's)
Thirdly, flying in the US is VERY different to the UK. Be prepared for a down grade in RT and practice.
These are my findings, I know others who have flown state side and loved it, but be warned of OFT
First off, they are cold to greet you.
Secondly their ac are in poor condition (Brand new PA-28 Warrior 3's have leaky engines, and uneven main gear [oleos lost pressure, but said to be fit to fly, yet the plane is leaning to the right on the apron!]Engine failures in brand new DA-20 Katana's)
Thirdly, flying in the US is VERY different to the UK. Be prepared for a down grade in RT and practice.
These are my findings, I know others who have flown state side and loved it, but be warned of OFT
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 632
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From: Florida, USA
Max...don't recall any snags with discussing Orlando Flight Training (Kissimmee). You may be thinking of the other place (that we are not allowed to name)...which is nearer the beach in the Daytona/Ormond area.
Lleswyn also forgot to mention the $100 insurance waiver that you are "encouraged" to pay, the $2 an hour fuel surcharge and the cost of the taxi that you have to get (as you have to make your own way to the flying school - they will not collect you).
Lleswyn also forgot to mention the $100 insurance waiver that you are "encouraged" to pay, the $2 an hour fuel surcharge and the cost of the taxi that you have to get (as you have to make your own way to the flying school - they will not collect you).
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 85
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From: UK
I had equally interesting times at OFT's predecessor Euroflight. I had the sphincter tightening moments with electrical failures... at night... on both engines etc but I also feel that it improved my flying ability and gave me a little experience of what the real airlines CAN be like when it comes to tech problems and losing sectors... ie you are gently encouraged to take the bust aircraft and go burn holes in the sky with it and the repair will get done... EVENTUALLY!!
A friend of mine is an instructor there can anyone tell me if Simon is still there (big chunky english guy there with girlfriend and big mates with Giles!)
Cheers all.. BJ
A friend of mine is an instructor there can anyone tell me if Simon is still there (big chunky english guy there with girlfriend and big mates with Giles!)
Cheers all.. BJ
Master Baiter
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 301
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From: Middle Earth
Hmmm, OFT....well,I liked most of the instructors there. I had a nice new 172SP and although expensive my instructor, Bobby was a top chap.....
I actually left with credit in the kitty. Ok, the insurance $100 isn't good and the fuel surcharge isn't great BUT, I found them the best of the bunch around the area...having had a few bad experiences with other schools....
If anyone wants to email regarding them then feel free
I actually left with credit in the kitty. Ok, the insurance $100 isn't good and the fuel surcharge isn't great BUT, I found them the best of the bunch around the area...having had a few bad experiences with other schools....
If anyone wants to email regarding them then feel free
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 49
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From: PGWT
WWW, could you please correct me, my welsh is not up to much, I'm from Cardiff 
The closest I can get to Llyswen is Llysywen, which as you are aware means "eel"
I was educated in the period when the English government banned the teaching of Welsh in Welsh schools
so I can't speak my native language and as I now live in the Midlands I don't think I'll ever get the opportunity to
Fly safely
BOTR
The closest I can get to Llyswen is Llysywen, which as you are aware means "eel"I was educated in the period when the English government banned the teaching of Welsh in Welsh schools
so I can't speak my native language and as I now live in the Midlands I don't think I'll ever get the opportunity to Fly safely
BOTR
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 17,503
Likes: 1,845
From: England
I now have a name to stand by this thread so it stays.
Blip - No Llyswen is a place name. They have a good pub as I remember (Griffon, Griffith, Gruffydd..?) its Brecon way.
As a matter of interest according to the 1991 census, 508,098 people in Wales could speak Welsh, about 18.7% of the population.
Cheers,
WWW
Blip - No Llyswen is a place name. They have a good pub as I remember (Griffon, Griffith, Gruffydd..?) its Brecon way.
As a matter of interest according to the 1991 census, 508,098 people in Wales could speak Welsh, about 18.7% of the population.
Cheers,
WWW
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 632
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From: Florida, USA
Nearly Man,
Can I ask what "course" you were on when flying your new 172SP? (No, I don't mean "heading" - what training course).
You say you (cut and paste) "had a few bad experiences with other schools...."
So you have flown, at other times, with various other schools in the USA?? You used the plural terms..."a few bad experiences" and "other schools".
This must make OFT at least your third training school "around the area" - and you had an instructor in a single engine aircraft.
I'd also be curious to know if, when your final bill was added up, there was not some error (in their favour) that you caught....even if you did have change left in the kitty when you finally left. You may have had change, but I'm willing to gamble you were not under the advertised budget.
Can I ask what "course" you were on when flying your new 172SP? (No, I don't mean "heading" - what training course).
You say you (cut and paste) "had a few bad experiences with other schools...."
So you have flown, at other times, with various other schools in the USA?? You used the plural terms..."a few bad experiences" and "other schools".
This must make OFT at least your third training school "around the area" - and you had an instructor in a single engine aircraft.
I'd also be curious to know if, when your final bill was added up, there was not some error (in their favour) that you caught....even if you did have change left in the kitty when you finally left. You may have had change, but I'm willing to gamble you were not under the advertised budget.
