Training at Exeter/South West UK
 

Hi guys,

I've decided to start my PPL properly after having an air experience flight a year or so ago followed by another couple of hours on a couple of cross country flights with a friend, and a bit of gliding. Like countless others I hope to eventually gain my fATPL and make a living from this surreal highly enjoyable endeavour we call 'flying'.

I'm in the West Somerset/East Devon region, and I'm currently trying to choose a flight school/club. I took a trip down to see Aviation South West and Exeter Flying Club yesterday situated in (obviously) Exeter. I was very keen on the freindly staff at Aviation South West and I really enjoyed the couple of hours I had at EGTE watching an assortment of commercial aircraft take off/land and go about their business.

My concern is involving price, my local club at Dunkeswell (EGTU) is much cheaper but has more of a recreational environment. Obviously Exeter is a reasonably busy commercial operation, and I believe training in a commercial environment from the outset may have it's advantages.

There is always Bristol, but that is about 45-50 miles from me, so would be a fair drive to get there depending on traffic, and I'm pretty sure they are even more expensive per hour than Exeter.

I was wondering if anybody has any experience with any of the previously mentioned schools, at Exeter in particular?

After chatting with a friend whom is currently on an integrated course, I've been drawn back to the adage that employers prefer modular students who have trained at solely one FTO rather than having "shopped around", I was wondering if anyone would care to post their thoughts on that?

Personally I feel that if you end up doing your CPL/ME/IR somewhere other than where you completed your PPL and hour building, that's not too much of a problem...but I do here differing views on this.

If anyone can shed any light on anything I've raised in this post, I would be extremely grateful for your input.

Hope you enjoy the rest of the long weekend!:cool:

CF

From what I have read operators don't really care where you got your PPL from, only that you had your CPL/ME/MEIR from the same school ... and until a few months ago I thought this went for most airlines but apparently this rule is only aplies to one or two airlines. There are plenty of pilots on here that have gained a JAA CPL in Florida and a MEIR in Spain and have managed to get jobs, so how much truth is in the whole "train at one school" is down to you to decide.

Hour building in the same area as your choosen CPL/IR school might be an idea though (in order to get used to the landmarks and airspace).

Good luck.

The 'train in one school' idea started with some comments by Ian Cheese from Flybe when he was talking about the introduction of their 'mentored programme'. The argument was that it was easier to keep track of the training records if they were all in one place.

Ian readily accepted that PPL, hours building and ATPL groundschool were likely to be done at different FTOs. AFAI remember he was encouraging the 'structured modular' concept where one FTO, usually the CPL/IR training provider, arranges all the training, is responsible for quality control and, crucially, maintains the training records. Note that, 'train in one school' in this context doesn't literally mean 'use one FTO for everything', it means 'have one FTO maintain your training records'. I vaguely recall some mention of this in Flybe or BA Connect recruitment literature of the time, about three or four years ago, someone may be able to remember.

The concept seems to have been latched onto by some of the larger FTOs (who can offer all stages of training) as a vague justification for attending their modular programmes. In reality, very few airlines care where you trained.

AlphaMale and Alex, thanks for your opinions. Interesting to hear about where you think it all started from Alex, I too remember seeing a quote by Ian Cheese which was perceived as a preference to training at one school for modular students.

And yes, many guys and gals have taken all kinds of routes to the RHS but got there succesfully nonetheless. I do think perhaps to much credence is placed on the 1-stop ideal. Of course it would be beneficial in terms of checking records etc and for continuity. But I would say there are other advantages to be had from using more than one FTO.

If anyone has any experience with the schools mentioned in the opening post I would love to hear them, here or PM if you prefer.

Cheers,

CF

I have trained at ASW , albeit an FIC , they are very professional good availabililty and the ppl students there all seem to be happy and enjoying it .