4Forces move operation to Cranfield?
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: blackpool
4Forces move operation to Cranfield?
Before 4forces went bump they were planning to move their Heathrow bassed training centre to Cranfield. Has this still been the case? Have they simply shut up, moved shop and started trading under a different name whilst at the same time owing a lot of students a lot of money?
Anyone from Cranfield notice any new developments on the air field?
Anyone from Cranfield notice any new developments on the air field?
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: stoneybridge
Ibelieve 4forces has moved to cranfield, they have taken over bonus's old buildings. I have seen the simulators being set up, so I take this to be a good sign. I recived a letter in the post the other day from the MD informing students that 4forces London has gone into voluntary liquidation, and all moneys with it. Any further info from other students wanted. many thanks barry white.
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: UK
Bonus are still live and kicking. 4Forces acquired the building where Bonus used to do their groundschool. I also gather there was some kind of link between Bonus and 4Forces. 4Forces were using an Arrow from Bonus and should anyone want any training at a time when 4Forces couldn't provide it, they sent you off to Bonus.
Last contact I had with 4Forces (2 weeks ago) they were telling me they were moving the sims up straight away (MCC sim first cos thats where they make most money) and had just received planning permission to build on land adjacent to their existing premisies. They claimed to be operational with the sims by Oct 1st. They also showed me their Duchess and shiney new warrior. An additional Duches was expected at any time.
This conversation at Cranfield was before they went bust so I just pressumed that the Cranfield wing of the business had gone with it. I'll have a look next time I am in Cranfield......
Interesting times.......
Last contact I had with 4Forces (2 weeks ago) they were telling me they were moving the sims up straight away (MCC sim first cos thats where they make most money) and had just received planning permission to build on land adjacent to their existing premisies. They claimed to be operational with the sims by Oct 1st. They also showed me their Duchess and shiney new warrior. An additional Duches was expected at any time.
This conversation at Cranfield was before they went bust so I just pressumed that the Cranfield wing of the business had gone with it. I'll have a look next time I am in Cranfield......
Interesting times.......
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: UK
WWW
The building that 4Forces are using in Cranfield is the old Bonus groundschool building (between the Cafe and the maintenance area) not the flying school. It has been lying there empty since Bonus stopped doing ATPL groundschool. They didn't use it so pressume won't miss it!
Regards
RM
The building that 4Forces are using in Cranfield is the old Bonus groundschool building (between the Cafe and the maintenance area) not the flying school. It has been lying there empty since Bonus stopped doing ATPL groundschool. They didn't use it so pressume won't miss it!
Regards
RM
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: A very long runway
Still confused. Have they gone bust or not. Heard that the London outfit and the Cranfield outfit are 2 seperate companies even though same owners and same simulators. Another business fast one to remove bad debt but continue trading??
Anyone who knows the full and truthful story let us all know please.
Anyone who knows the full and truthful story let us all know please.
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: In the East
Having paid the balance of my fees only 3 weeks ago, after seeing the rumours and speaking to Frode who confirmed the difficulies (and who has since written confirming voluntary liquidation) I went to Cranfield to see the set up. Although I'm not sure what business trick is going on, they are certainly gearing up for full ops - the sims have moved from Heathrow and are being installed and will be recertified and the ATPL groundschool is scheduled for 17 Sep - so (hopefully) it will be business as usual - which is good news as Stuart Smith (the new Chief Instructor?) gave a good groundschool in July (I got 6 out of 7 of my Navs with them in the Aug exams and only droped GNAV which was a B'std). Let's hope for the best, we can't aford to lose another school! 
[ 24 August 2001: Message edited by: PigBoy ]
[ 24 August 2001: Message edited by: PigBoy ]
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: UK
Call the CAA for information on 4Forces current approvals. All professional schools have to prove financial viability to gain and hold approvals to carry out training.
01293 573700 - it's a computer to begin with but there are human beings eventually!
[ 24 August 2001: Message edited by: Stan Evil ]
01293 573700 - it's a computer to begin with but there are human beings eventually!
[ 24 August 2001: Message edited by: Stan Evil ]
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: England
Frode in all fairness has emailed me to explain whats happening.
On balance the company is 'doing right' by its current customers and - in comparison to the PPSC guys - they should not suffer a significant loss.
For the meantime I think Frode and his team - many instructor are working unpaid right now to keep students on track for exams - have earned a break from any mistrust.
WWW
On balance the company is 'doing right' by its current customers and - in comparison to the PPSC guys - they should not suffer a significant loss.
For the meantime I think Frode and his team - many instructor are working unpaid right now to keep students on track for exams - have earned a break from any mistrust.
WWW
Joined: Apr 2001
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Can anyone tell my how one company can set up so quickly after liquidation.
One of my companies went into liquidation albeit 15 years ago, but my credit went to hell. It took what seemed forever to climb out of it. Yet here we have a company that has just liquidated and moved? How does this happen?
As a note to 4 Foroces - I admire their team trying to help rectify the situation with the. I am just trying to see the logistics of starting up again after what happened in London! Are the approvals already done or do they need them again as they sound like they are virtually the same setup?
One of my companies went into liquidation albeit 15 years ago, but my credit went to hell. It took what seemed forever to climb out of it. Yet here we have a company that has just liquidated and moved? How does this happen?
As a note to 4 Foroces - I admire their team trying to help rectify the situation with the. I am just trying to see the logistics of starting up again after what happened in London! Are the approvals already done or do they need them again as they sound like they are virtually the same setup?
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: I wish I knew
To my knowledge 4Forces were in discussions with Bonus over a year ago and as rightly mentioned they had an arrangement at least in principle. It would be very easy for a "new" company to set up and operate in conjunction with another that already has approvals.In effect 4Forces provided this "approval" shroud for a number of other training organisations anyway.
It would,nt surprise me to see the Bonus head of training being linked with this "new" venture as it makes good business sense. As for aquiring assets. i.e sims at liquidation prices or assets being transferred prior to voluntary liquidation this is just "normal" business practice.
I guess a new outfit with next to zero asset costs can afford to extend an olive branch to a few existing customers.. would'nt you rather do that than risk losing the lot?
It would,nt surprise me to see the Bonus head of training being linked with this "new" venture as it makes good business sense. As for aquiring assets. i.e sims at liquidation prices or assets being transferred prior to voluntary liquidation this is just "normal" business practice.
I guess a new outfit with next to zero asset costs can afford to extend an olive branch to a few existing customers.. would'nt you rather do that than risk losing the lot?
Flies for fun
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From: Wishing it was somewhere sunny!
According to Companies House, there is a Four Fources Aviation Ltd and although their accounyts are overdue for submission (often a clue that all is not well in house!) the company is listed as status "active"
There is another company listed as 4 Forces Select Ltd which was incorporated on 19 July 2001 and that company may be the "new 4 Forces" Just more speculation tho!
There is another company listed as 4 Forces Select Ltd which was incorporated on 19 July 2001 and that company may be the "new 4 Forces" Just more speculation tho!
