FTC-Africa v`s EFT Florida
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FTC-Africa v`s EFT Florida
FTC Africa according to their website does the JAA CPL/IR for under £13000. Is this true.....???How does this school compare with schools like EFT in Florida???
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Was in EFT in September 2000 just before 9/11, did multi IR.
Great school good instructors Ben and Trevor really sound guys.
Would have no problem recomending them to anyone.
Just stay away from avenue D!!!!
Unfortunatley I cant say what its like out there post 9/11.
But pre was great place!
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Your query
Forget FTC Africa
They promise a basic PPL in 4 weeks, I did mine in a UK club in 3.3 weeks, but most people I met in SA have had to extend their stay to at least 6 weeks to pass. They only just got a radio examiner in Nov.
I know this is not the CPL but gives you an idea of the problems you will face.
Accomm is an ever expanding cost, not to mention beer.
They also play with exchange rates.
Check out the Africa forum for FTC.
I am also looking for a CPL course. I'll enquire at EFT on Enigma's rec.
Happy flying.
They promise a basic PPL in 4 weeks, I did mine in a UK club in 3.3 weeks, but most people I met in SA have had to extend their stay to at least 6 weeks to pass. They only just got a radio examiner in Nov.
I know this is not the CPL but gives you an idea of the problems you will face.
Accomm is an ever expanding cost, not to mention beer.
They also play with exchange rates.
Check out the Africa forum for FTC.
I am also looking for a CPL course. I'll enquire at EFT on Enigma's rec.
Happy flying.
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Flying Boat,
Disagree completely with you
Check the thread re USA and SA on the wannabee section and then search the African forum on various Flying clubs and schools.
I would without a doubt think that 95% plus of overseas students flying in SA was very happy with everything.
STILL the cheapest in the World 
I just told you we have the cheapest beer and accomodation in the World - makes sence that you stay ..
Tell Bush and Blair to stay home and all will be ok again uhmm I am sure you know that the RAND strenghtened dramatically. Insted of R18 for a pound you will be lucky to get R12.
AFRICA by far the best ... long live Africa ....
Disagree completely with you
Check the thread re USA and SA on the wannabee section and then search the African forum on various Flying clubs and schools.
I would without a doubt think that 95% plus of overseas students flying in SA was very happy with everything.
Accomm is an ever expanding cost, not to mention beer.
but most people I met in SA have had to extend their stay to at least 6 weeks to pass.
They also play with exchange rates.
AFRICA by far the best ... long live Africa ....
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Uneducation giving Africa a bad name
Gunny, I am disapointed with you!
I have read many of your posts & you appeared to make sense with most but you must have been copying your Icon when you posted your reply.
If you knew how to read & digest information you would have understood my post!
My observation was with the one mentioned school, not RSA, I saw many good schools there, but not JAR approved.
If you budget for 4 weeks accom @ RSA rates & must then stay for 6, then 7 & finally 8 weeks the cost IS expanding. Ask any 5 year old.
By the way has RSA inflation slowed from 28-35% especially with regard to food, up to 40% on certain commodities according to the government last November?
Some of the cheapest beer in the world (but try Mexico), agreed, 70p a pint for Brits.
The school were playing with the rates not Bush or Blair, but I do believe they & their families should be the first ones into Iraq, not the normal people.
I got R12.75 a £1 from the school, not the current R16.25, as it was when I was there.
The Rand was the best performing currency in the world last year.
Please sober up before replying, I will (unfortunately) read your postings with a pinch of salt from now on.
Successful & Happy flying.
I have read many of your posts & you appeared to make sense with most but you must have been copying your Icon when you posted your reply.
If you knew how to read & digest information you would have understood my post!
My observation was with the one mentioned school, not RSA, I saw many good schools there, but not JAR approved.
If you budget for 4 weeks accom @ RSA rates & must then stay for 6, then 7 & finally 8 weeks the cost IS expanding. Ask any 5 year old.
By the way has RSA inflation slowed from 28-35% especially with regard to food, up to 40% on certain commodities according to the government last November?
Some of the cheapest beer in the world (but try Mexico), agreed, 70p a pint for Brits.
The school were playing with the rates not Bush or Blair, but I do believe they & their families should be the first ones into Iraq, not the normal people.
I got R12.75 a £1 from the school, not the current R16.25, as it was when I was there.
The Rand was the best performing currency in the world last year.
Please sober up before replying, I will (unfortunately) read your postings with a pinch of salt from now on.
Successful & Happy flying.
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I'm at FTC at the moment. It is an above average school in my opinion, not without problems, but the aircraft an instructors are very good and the prices very competitive.
I'm doing JAR/CPL. They don't actually do a JAR IR as the CAA prefers the training to be in the European environment.
They will however do a ZA PPL/IR and will teach it with a JAR bias and then you can convert to JAR with 15 hrs (10 of which can be FNPT2) in the UK. FTC have arrangements at Coventry and Cranfield to do this.
Call Vicky Buxton at FTC for more accurate information.
I read FB's comments with some concern before I came here and upto now, I'm pleased to say, they seem to be unfounded.
I'm doing JAR/CPL. They don't actually do a JAR IR as the CAA prefers the training to be in the European environment.
They will however do a ZA PPL/IR and will teach it with a JAR bias and then you can convert to JAR with 15 hrs (10 of which can be FNPT2) in the UK. FTC have arrangements at Coventry and Cranfield to do this.
Call Vicky Buxton at FTC for more accurate information.
I read FB's comments with some concern before I came here and upto now, I'm pleased to say, they seem to be unfounded.
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Mark 1,
It's been a long time since FTC had 'arrangements' at Coventry - must be about 8 months. Are they still claiming they have? Horrendous! I'm with Flying Boat on this one - been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, wish I'd paid more and got a higher quality t-shirt.
Lewy Boy,
Check out the price. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
TB
It's been a long time since FTC had 'arrangements' at Coventry - must be about 8 months. Are they still claiming they have? Horrendous! I'm with Flying Boat on this one - been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, wish I'd paid more and got a higher quality t-shirt.
Lewy Boy,
Check out the price. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
TB
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I was going to train with FTC SA with Air Atlantic (Coventry), but as mentioned Air Atlantic now use Commair in Florida. If you go all the way to (f)ATPL then Florida is only £4k more expensive BUT that doesnt include food, flights and accomidation. If you only want CPL level then SA is cheaper by far and I have a friend out there at the moment doing his CPL for £15K. He had to move from Pictoria to Cape Town though, see links on FTC website. The SA route is so cheap due to currency not the fact that its a bad school, and I have it on good grounds that a beer is 43p.
Still I trust the boys at Cov and Im going to spend the extra to do the Comair course!
Still I trust the boys at Cov and Im going to spend the extra to do the Comair course!
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Happy
Good Choice!
I have just checked the FTC site & noticed a glaring difference from 2 months ago, the absence of their appointed 'Quality Manager', a man brought in only in September/October to help improve the service to the customers. Why is it the good ones leave or are looking for a better lot?
Their flying division was not too bad, once you could get airborne, but the biggest problems were with the 'FTC Lodge'(an estate agent would be proud of the change of image their photos give the 'Lodge' & the plan as far as I am aware is still a dream) and Groundschool.
Unfortunately you must pass 8 subjects for a CPL & 14 for a frozen ATPL.
When I was there they had one Head of Ground School & 3 part time Instructors.
They have moved the groundschool last year, so the lovely looking lecture room on the site is a lie.
That was in the old accommodation that was vacated quickly due to the building's owner & the school's owner having a legal battle over the price. Now they are in an old security company's site, about a 5 km drive from the airport buildings, great for those trying to fly & do groundschool.
The groundschool, I have talked to several people from previous groups, never finished all the course subjects. Is this quality?
It was not the fault of the GS instructors, they regularly requested equipment & assistance but were constantly blocked from above. Ground Schools do not make anywhere near as much profit as flying, so why put money in?
Last winter, I have it on good authority, the JAR ATPL students had to provide their own heaters & then in the summer acquire an ac.
SA is cheap, but beer was usually R10 for a pint of Castle & R11.50 for Amstel, the average rate was R15 to a £1.
43p could be a bottle or from the offy.
Paying the extra is a wise move, in the long run the lack of training hassle will pay off when you finish your training quicker.
Fly Long & Prosper.
Good Choice!
I have just checked the FTC site & noticed a glaring difference from 2 months ago, the absence of their appointed 'Quality Manager', a man brought in only in September/October to help improve the service to the customers. Why is it the good ones leave or are looking for a better lot?
Their flying division was not too bad, once you could get airborne, but the biggest problems were with the 'FTC Lodge'(an estate agent would be proud of the change of image their photos give the 'Lodge' & the plan as far as I am aware is still a dream) and Groundschool.
Unfortunately you must pass 8 subjects for a CPL & 14 for a frozen ATPL.
When I was there they had one Head of Ground School & 3 part time Instructors.
They have moved the groundschool last year, so the lovely looking lecture room on the site is a lie.
That was in the old accommodation that was vacated quickly due to the building's owner & the school's owner having a legal battle over the price. Now they are in an old security company's site, about a 5 km drive from the airport buildings, great for those trying to fly & do groundschool.
The groundschool, I have talked to several people from previous groups, never finished all the course subjects. Is this quality?
It was not the fault of the GS instructors, they regularly requested equipment & assistance but were constantly blocked from above. Ground Schools do not make anywhere near as much profit as flying, so why put money in?
Last winter, I have it on good authority, the JAR ATPL students had to provide their own heaters & then in the summer acquire an ac.
SA is cheap, but beer was usually R10 for a pint of Castle & R11.50 for Amstel, the average rate was R15 to a £1.
43p could be a bottle or from the offy.
Paying the extra is a wise move, in the long run the lack of training hassle will pay off when you finish your training quicker.
Fly Long & Prosper.
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Flying boat! you seem to be on a mission about FTC! Do you work for the opposition? What's your relationship with AFT?
I asked, and the Coventry connection is not Atlantic, but Flight Simulation (Walter Nothrup), and the Cranfield connection is Bonus (Pete Godwin) both of whom can do the UK end of the IR for much better rates than AFT. And they have good reputations.
My info is that prices are fixed in pounds because the rates for rands go all over the place, and prices are about the same as a year ago.
So what is your bias??
I asked, and the Coventry connection is not Atlantic, but Flight Simulation (Walter Nothrup), and the Cranfield connection is Bonus (Pete Godwin) both of whom can do the UK end of the IR for much better rates than AFT. And they have good reputations.
My info is that prices are fixed in pounds because the rates for rands go all over the place, and prices are about the same as a year ago.
So what is your bias??
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Oscar,
Flying Boat is simply one of the many p****d off former students of FTC. He doesn't work for any opposition. I believe his only motive is to protect others from going through what he and all the students on his course went through, which apparently was even worse than what my course (the one before FBs) went through - although we didn't finish more than half our groundschool subjects, at least we didn't get booted out of our accommodation!
As for the Rand exchange rate, what actually happens is that you say to FTC 'I want to pay £1000', for example. They then convert it into Rand at the current exchange rate, for example, R16 to the pound. Hence R16000 will leave your bank account. However, FTC will then only give you flying credits equivalent to about R11 to the pound. Hence only about R11000 ends up in your FTC account for training. I leave it up to your imagination what happens to the missing money.
Happy Landings, glad you made the sensible decision. You say that the course is cheap due to the exchange rate, not because the school is bad. As I mentioned above, FTC has 'frozen' the exchange rate at a summer 2001 value, hence the students do not gain the benefit from the exchange rate, except of course from the price of beer, cigs and Black Steers pork ribs!
People, do not let the price of beer dictate where you learn to fly!
TB
Flying Boat is simply one of the many p****d off former students of FTC. He doesn't work for any opposition. I believe his only motive is to protect others from going through what he and all the students on his course went through, which apparently was even worse than what my course (the one before FBs) went through - although we didn't finish more than half our groundschool subjects, at least we didn't get booted out of our accommodation!
As for the Rand exchange rate, what actually happens is that you say to FTC 'I want to pay £1000', for example. They then convert it into Rand at the current exchange rate, for example, R16 to the pound. Hence R16000 will leave your bank account. However, FTC will then only give you flying credits equivalent to about R11 to the pound. Hence only about R11000 ends up in your FTC account for training. I leave it up to your imagination what happens to the missing money.
Happy Landings, glad you made the sensible decision. You say that the course is cheap due to the exchange rate, not because the school is bad. As I mentioned above, FTC has 'frozen' the exchange rate at a summer 2001 value, hence the students do not gain the benefit from the exchange rate, except of course from the price of beer, cigs and Black Steers pork ribs!
People, do not let the price of beer dictate where you learn to fly!
TB
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I have a friend there at the mo. Booked to do CPL. They arrived, the school had them down as PPL. All I hear from them is stories of the same things. Instructors seem to be very good. This has been repeated ad infinitum. Planes are good ditto. However these new planes aren't available to people with under 100 hours, a fact they do not make clear in their sales pitch. The accomodation is an absolute disgrace also. It seems their salesmen have the gift of the gab but cannot back it up with a good, well organised service.
TB i see your in the north. Where? Have you completed your training? Any recomendations for IR?
TB i see your in the north. Where? Have you completed your training? Any recomendations for IR?
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Clarifying a couple of statements
Keeping it alive for OSCAR!
Oscar, please could you be a liittle more original? OSW, OSX, OSY, OSZ, ONA, all with ZS- in front at FTC!! The "new" planes.
No opposition AT PRESENT.
AFT are simply far superior than FTC, learnt more in 2 weeks at AFT than 3 months at FTC!
I don't know Walter, but I like to think he is a very honourable man & very professional.
As for Peter Godwin, I know he is a very honourable man and very professional, but he is Bonus Aviation, and is never ever going to get near the skeletons in the closet.
I understand bonus is very good from PPL to (frozen) ATPL, but if their prices are so good, why should anyone even go to RSA for their JAR licence instead of Bonus?
Hate to tell you, but, Bonus is no longer as competitive as you think, don't forget to add 17.5% VAT to the quoted rates.
(Nothing personal towards bonus but at present I am researching all prices and this is the truth, if wrong, the quoted prices of approx. £8,500 for an IR is great. Bonus am I wrong?)
As for your exchange rates quote, are you sure we don't believe you are highly involved with the top? Still smoking?
The Rand rate fluctuating does not make much of a problem, seeing as you are an RSA company, paying bills in Rands to the fuel companies, paying maintenance in Rands & paying salaries in Rands to hard working RSA staff, also receiving Rands from the RSA students. Even Europeans paying by credit card pay you in Rands (NO CHOICE), through your RSA bank account. A successful, worldly wise company does not worry about a credit card charge & use it to try to justify an exchange rate game.
The only impact to FTC is the playing of monies on the currency markets, you don't move funds frequently do you? As you are in RSA.
In any case the pound isn't as good today is it? Rand the best performing currency in 2002!
A friendly word of advice, change your information providor & FTC should improve greatly when they can make well informed judgements.
I have always said FTC needs 2 years to sort itself out before Europeans can confidently go back to RSA for JAR training. Any responsible person would agree.
Good Luck with your future flying career.
PS
TB & SK8y thanks for the moral backup.
Long Live fair play & honesty!
Oscar, please could you be a liittle more original? OSW, OSX, OSY, OSZ, ONA, all with ZS- in front at FTC!! The "new" planes.
No opposition AT PRESENT.
AFT are simply far superior than FTC, learnt more in 2 weeks at AFT than 3 months at FTC!
I don't know Walter, but I like to think he is a very honourable man & very professional.
As for Peter Godwin, I know he is a very honourable man and very professional, but he is Bonus Aviation, and is never ever going to get near the skeletons in the closet.
I understand bonus is very good from PPL to (frozen) ATPL, but if their prices are so good, why should anyone even go to RSA for their JAR licence instead of Bonus?
Hate to tell you, but, Bonus is no longer as competitive as you think, don't forget to add 17.5% VAT to the quoted rates.
(Nothing personal towards bonus but at present I am researching all prices and this is the truth, if wrong, the quoted prices of approx. £8,500 for an IR is great. Bonus am I wrong?)
As for your exchange rates quote, are you sure we don't believe you are highly involved with the top? Still smoking?
The Rand rate fluctuating does not make much of a problem, seeing as you are an RSA company, paying bills in Rands to the fuel companies, paying maintenance in Rands & paying salaries in Rands to hard working RSA staff, also receiving Rands from the RSA students. Even Europeans paying by credit card pay you in Rands (NO CHOICE), through your RSA bank account. A successful, worldly wise company does not worry about a credit card charge & use it to try to justify an exchange rate game.
The only impact to FTC is the playing of monies on the currency markets, you don't move funds frequently do you? As you are in RSA.
In any case the pound isn't as good today is it? Rand the best performing currency in 2002!
A friendly word of advice, change your information providor & FTC should improve greatly when they can make well informed judgements.
I have always said FTC needs 2 years to sort itself out before Europeans can confidently go back to RSA for JAR training. Any responsible person would agree.
Good Luck with your future flying career.
PS
TB & SK8y thanks for the moral backup.
Long Live fair play & honesty!
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TB have you completed training?
Also how is everybody from your course/ one after doing with exams? Spoke to pete,andreas and michael but haven't heard about others.
Anyone who has recently done your Cpl out there can you tell me which are the JAR instructors as I heard a rumour some have been sacked.
Also how is everybody from your course/ one after doing with exams? Spoke to pete,andreas and michael but haven't heard about others.
Anyone who has recently done your Cpl out there can you tell me which are the JAR instructors as I heard a rumour some have been sacked.
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I would recommend everyone to go to Spain. They have there very good flyingschools for very good prices. Checkout for example www.aeromadrid.com. A full JAA Integrated ATPL with MCC on a Airbus 320 full flight simulator of GE, I think around the 30 or 40 hours on it. Also possible to get your typerating on it without paying so much more.
I think that at the moment they offer the best price and the best quality.
At the moment I am doing there a flight instructor course and it is perfectly arranged. Everything is great!!!!
I think that at the moment they offer the best price and the best quality.
At the moment I am doing there a flight instructor course and it is perfectly arranged. Everything is great!!!!
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Very Useful info
Thanks Echie
I'm looking for CPL & IR training for the JAR Frozen ATPL so your suggestion is greatly appreciated.
Where in the Netherlands do you come from? I have a few friends in the Amsterdam & Brabant areas.
Dank u wal.
I'm looking for CPL & IR training for the JAR Frozen ATPL so your suggestion is greatly appreciated.
Where in the Netherlands do you come from? I have a few friends in the Amsterdam & Brabant areas.
Dank u wal.
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As a former instructor and student form FTC all i can say is I agree with Token Bird and the others. Good instructors, just very poor management who dont seem capable of inspiring loyalty in their instrucotrs and seek no end to discredit them when the leave to try and maintain the image of the school. Be carefull what your promised by FTC. Not one of the foreign Students I met or taught at FTC actually left happy.
Having said that, flying in Africa was without doubt the best experience i have ever had.
Having said that, flying in Africa was without doubt the best experience i have ever had.
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I am from Utrecht. For more information about Aeromadrid you can always write me an email to [email protected].
Greetings,
Theo
Greetings,
Theo
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Well having returned I can pretty much confirm what is being said here.
Accomodation: Still a building site. You could use the pool but would have to get stomach pumped. Not to mention the rat that someone found in their bed last week. As for catered, only had 5 meals made in 5 weeks. Oh and not to mention the electric fence which isn't switched on. Or the guard found asleep at night ( only 1 guard for a large area right next door to a huge township).
Flying: When I left only 8 aircraft operational, not the 18 advertised. Of that there seem to be a band of students who are allowed to book them for days on end, leaving 6.
Then there is the student who didn't receive their licence because of an admin error. I know they look here, please let us know how it finished.
My advice is don't go. I have already advised people at home of this. I t really is not worth the stress.
Accomodation: Still a building site. You could use the pool but would have to get stomach pumped. Not to mention the rat that someone found in their bed last week. As for catered, only had 5 meals made in 5 weeks. Oh and not to mention the electric fence which isn't switched on. Or the guard found asleep at night ( only 1 guard for a large area right next door to a huge township).
Flying: When I left only 8 aircraft operational, not the 18 advertised. Of that there seem to be a band of students who are allowed to book them for days on end, leaving 6.
Then there is the student who didn't receive their licence because of an admin error. I know they look here, please let us know how it finished.
My advice is don't go. I have already advised people at home of this. I t really is not worth the stress.