November 2008 - OBA. Anyone else going?
 

Hi All,

I'm planning on going to Ormond Beach Aviation in November to complete my JAA PPL and was wondering if anyone else on here was going to be doing the same. Might be good to hook up and that.

I was considering Naples-air-center and Orlando flight training too, but Naples haven't replied to my emails and I've heard some horror stories about Orlando.

Cheers
Matt

check into the stories about OBA

Make sure you get a copy of the rental agreement before you part with any cash or make travel plans.

Im considering going to Florida to do a PPL in November. But I aint sure where to go!

Can anyone tell me the best place to do a PPL over there? OBA and OFT are looking like good ones to me but....

Cheers

Go to an FAA school and get an FAA certificate. More choice of schools, better quality schools, better quality training, better certificate at the end of it, better holiday and less money.

OBA :ok:

Dont listen to the stories.....

most of them are from people who didnt pass the ppl

I've been doing so much research into JAA PPL schools in the states and they all have mixed feeling. Some are great, others are bad.
There are a fair few people who have posted videos on OBA on youtube etc and it all looks above board.
Accommodation looks decent, and the planes look good too.

Can anyone who's been to OBA list out the faults or the good points?

Cheers
Matt

I think saying close to 100% pass first time isn't quite right. I went to OBA and did pass, however while I was there I saw 4 people that I can recall having to stay for longer as they were not at a satisfactory level, and 2 left without the PPL as they had to return home. When I was there all of the instructors were very professional and were not rushing students through the training.

During my time there I was happy with my treatment and training. I wasn't ripped off and as far as I was aware the friends I made there were happy with the place too.
The accommodation was good, as long as you don't mind sharing a room. You can pay more for your own room I think.

There are tales of woe from most training establishments.. some are deserved, others less so.

These threads are more helpful if the good or bad comments are from those who have direct experience of the place... not those who know someone whos uncles best mates dad went there once.

Final question on OBA - they are asking for all the cash up front which I know is a big no no.
I'm going to put it on credit card so that I'm covered to an extent but does anyone think I can argue the case and release funds as I fly?

Matt

Why would you trust anyone who wants all the money up front. A deposit should be sufficient for any operator.

Ask yourself why they want all the money up front? If a school wanted all the money up front I would advise you to walk away.

Of course each to their own and it does take all sorts to make the world go round, I'm just offering up some advice and my opinion.

Good luck and kind regards

Camel Toe
"Over Macho Grande?"

I went for 6 weeks in October 2005, had a fantastic instructor and was happy with the school, good ground training as well, people who struggled treated it as a holiday not as an intensive course.

My tips? Book as much time as you can, I planned to do my PPL and 25hours, with the 25 hours extra being flexible if the PPL took longer than expected. I managed to just get it all in, the PPL took 4 weeks instead of 3 due to lots of high winds where I lost solo time due to down days, so be prepared for delays beyond anyones control.

Also, get as much groundschool learning in as you can before you go, you should be able to nail human factors, aircraft general and air law within 3-4 days of getting there, leaving the "difficult" ones, nav, met, aircraft performance and radio telephony until you get the (very good) ground school evening breif and the flying experience to make it all easy to understand.

If anyone wants any advice feel free to PM me thier number and I will give you a call :ok:

Go, work hard, play hard and you will be fine :ok:

I'm possibly going to be out on the East Coast doing 25 hours. Undecided as to whether I will re-vist OBA or not. This is likely to be November 08.

As someone who had a 99% positive experience, give me a shout via PM.

There are horror stories, then there are stories like mine, where I went out, passed the groundschool, did the flying (I chose to spend 4 weeks, not 3) and went home with all my approval documention safely sealed in me bag!

Up Front
 

Just about to buy a new (fitted) kitchen from a plc and, guess what?, they want all the money up front- months before the fitting date.
Booked a holiday and had to pay weeks before we are due to go.

As others have pointed out, you could pay-as-you-go but because you are not on a package you wouldn't get the package price. Seems fair enough- you cannot expect to have it both ways. Also, you didn't have to pay anything before you arrived there so they were booking your time, instructor, accommodation etc. with no deposit or other security if you didn't turn up.

Sadly, there are customers who are crooks, dreamers, liars, simpletons, tossers etc. and some are wannabes (see examples on this forum) so it shouldn't surprise anyone that FTO's offering an incredibly cheap deal will protect themselves against damage, drop-outs, fraud, theft etc.

You're right civil aviation, I completely understand why they're charging upfront. If you offer a really good deal and invest resources and time and some time waster doesn't show then you're out of pocket.

For what it's worth, OBA are the only school in the US whose email correspondence is on the ball. I've mailed others a few times and received nothing or very little in the way of help! From that, and from talking to other experienced members on this forum (many thanks) I've totally decided to go with them this November.

I've planned 4 weeks and really hope to get it all signed sealed and delivered in that time. I've read that November is a pretty quiet month weather wise so no nasty surprises hopefully.

As for groundschool, I've taken the decision to complete all my exams before I go. I really want to concentrate on the flying and as it is it's going to be a push. I started on air law but fell asleep :) and am now on much more intersting stuff - principles of flight.

Thanks for all the honest feedback on here.
Matt

Awesome dhblewis, I'll see you there.

I say that, but as yet I've not received my I-20 from OBA and haven't scanned my passport to apply to TSA. How long did the whole process take for you?

I'm going there on the 28th and I cant wait! I've had 2 lessons to date and my instructor recommended i go to oba to obtain my PPL. He went there to do his multi.
I'll let you guys know how I get on - hopefully I'll have nothing but good things to say. Now if you'll excuse, I've an awful amount of studying to be getting on with!

Matt,

I did send you a PM but I take it your definately off to OBA in November to finish everything off?
Hope it all goes well for you out there, have fun and wise choice on doing the g.school before you go :D
Thats what I'm aiming to do as that gives me more time to focus on the flying itself... Just wish I'd never let my PPL exams lapse now as that means going through it all again which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but, does mean doing 'Air Law' again, oh the joys!!

Anyone looking at going to OBA next April/May time??

Cheers L :ok: