Glasgow College of Nautical Studies

[preduk]

Hi there!

I've been looking into flight training for a wee while now, like many of us, and came across a dilema...

I've got my PPL at the moment, but am currently at University studying Law and wont graduate until 2009. I have been looking at the flight schools, reading the reviews and can't really make up my mind on where to do the theory.

I was speaking to a friend of mine who is a commerical heli pilot and I mentioned Glasgow College of Nautical Studies to him, I'm from Glasgow so obviously its the closest for me.

He pretty much laughed at me, and told me that I would be best looking at Bristol as they are a "fantastic" school.

I done a search on this forum to see if anyone has done any reviews on them, but was unsuccessful.

So the question is, has anyone been there? or heard any stories? or advise me to stay away from them. I have no problem with travelling to Bristol, it's just easier for me to go to Glasgow.

I look forward to your reply!

[thornycactus]

GCNS not for Aviation

GCNS is a good place for Marine studies. Same goes to University of Strathclyde and University of Glasgow! These two universities’ Marine department combined into one and formed UGS (Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde) NAME Department.

I have friends (from Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, India) went to Glasgow for their studies (in LLB, BEng, MEng, BSc., BA, MBBS , MBA and etc.).

Back to your question. Flying in UK is unaffordable! Too expensive for any flight training! The flight training cost for PPL in UK is about the same as FAA CPL (SE+VFR) or Philippines ATO CPL (ME+IR) or India DGCA CPL (SE+IR) or Australia CASA CPL (SE+VFR) cost!

Get you training done in U.S. or the Philippines or Thailand! It is worth it and you save lots of money! After you have received your licence, just do a UK-JAR (FCL) conversion! All you need is to sit for the papers, a few hours of flight training and a check-ride to get your UK-JAR (FCL) pilot licence!

If you were to train in any of these foreign country, other expenses (such as accommodation, traveling expenses, daily meals, & etc.)(plus flight training) and/or after UK-JAR (FCL) licence conversion cost, the total amount spent may still way below the cost of full flight training in UK!

[preduk]

thornycactus,

Thanks for your response.

The University of Glasgow don't have a Marine department. They do the aviation studies, such as Aeronatuical Engineering etc

In all honesty, I want to do my training in the UK, but thanks for the advice.

P.s thanks to however moved my post, I done a search but never found anything!

[Callsign Kilo]

GCNS

Wouldn't say it was my greatest experience of a 'professional flight training organisation' so far, if I am being totaly honest. The aviation department co-exists with the college's maratime school, and it is blatently obvious where the majority of the college's attention is devoted to! Being the only ATPL residential groundschool in Scotland, it 'should' benefit from a huge catchment area throughout the Northern UK and Ireland. I say 'should' because in my opinion....it doesn't! Despite efforts in some areas of the course it sadly lacks in many others. It's a shame because it should have the potential to be a lot better.

[MIKECR]

I will second what CK has said. Im afraid I was left less than impressed with my experience of GCNS. We all ended up using Bristol/OAT notes and most of us didnt bother coming back for Module 3, opting to finish the course at home instead.

[preduk]

Thanks for the response.

I am looking at Bristol, as I have heard the school is really good. I'm currently flying at Prestwick, so the college would be really handy for me. However, I don't mind going else where if the course is much better!

Thanks again.

[Callsign Kilo]

I would go BGS rather than GCNS

If you are disciplined enough to go distant learning, go BGS. I know several people who went this route and didn't have a bad word to say about them. I have used some of their material and it is excellent. If I had to do it all again I would sign up to Bristol without a second thought. However to do distance learning in minimum time you must be disciplined; even more so than in the residential environment. Good luck

[preduk]

Hi,

Nah in all honesty I don't think I could do distance learning.

As I said I've got a long time to go. Aviation is my dream job, but I run my own company at the moment and I'm not sure whether I would be best running my company and doing it as a hobby or business (if I was luck enough) or do it as a full time career and face the major debt :S

Thanks again though!

Scott

[JUST-local]

I was on the same course at Glasgow as a couple of the previous posters.
I needed the kick up the @rse that a full time course provides after trying dl and not taking time out to do enough study. I passed all but one exam first time (missed one by 1%) with good marks. I found that Glasgow was ok place to stay local amenities are good, super markets, leisure centre for those well needed hours off.
The college itself is well equipped library etc. The aviation department is very small with only three lecturers when I was there. All of whom were ok and approachable. The notes were not good, I supplemented mine with a set off Bristol which were very clear and concise.
At the end of the day I would not advise anyone to do a full time course (anywhere) try dl first, you need to treat it like a job though, get up early and get studying, it’s down to you which ever way you do it! You have to put the hours in.
I believe Bristol now do introductory study days for people just starting, I would have gone to these if they had been invented when I started.
You can still do the exams at Glasgow and study at home, you will save money and time and it will be more convenient all round.
Good luck…………

[preduk]

JUST-local,

Thanks for that!

I must admit, being from Glasgow myself, and knowing the area very well.. I would hate to live in that area of Glasgow. Although its very close to the heart of the city, the area isn't one of the greatest areas!

I will have a look into DL as well, as I said I have a wee while left until I need to decide which course to follow, but I'm trying to take in as many opinions as possible in order to come to a good conclusion.

Thanks!

[clunk1001]

I've been trying to contact GCNS about their course, didn’t get any response on email, left phone message – no response.

If this is what their communication is like whilst I’m holding a fat cheque in my hand it doesnt bode well for DL students.

Have signed up with BristolGS, so no longer have that cheque in my hand , but am finally starting my studies

[MIKECR]

Doesnt surprise me, I did the full time course there and was less than impressed. I did hear through the grapevine though that they werent running an April course this year. Apparently lack of interest.

[Callsign Kilo]

Mike, maybe they had interest? Probably didn't bother their arse answering the phone or reading any emails to find out that the interest existed! Now that's believable

[MIKECR]

LOL, yes, thats probably more like it!!

[apnewall]

GCNS

Hi there,

Im about to start a full time course at GCNS this September. I have heard mixed reviews however i think spending that much time in the classroom they must be teaching you something!

I was hoping to meet a few people before i start the course, I live in Edinburgh and have a Beech Muskateer in Cumbernauld. If anyone is interested we could go for a flight sometime before Sept?

[eninem]

Dinnae Boather

Its shut. No point in trying there.

[preduk]

This post is over a year old, why did you reply?