FlyEASA, Ormond Beach, FL
 

Hi guys.

Long time watcher of the forums, but my first time posting. I'm looking to go to EASA (nee OBA) for my FI(R) at some point over the next year. Can anyone tell me what the place is like. I understand that there is a new owner/operator and that the previous owner now does the PPL ground school in Leeds, UK?

I've done a lot of research here on OBA and there are some mixed reviews, but I've read on the EASA website about the company, and it looks like there is a new owner. Does AT still teach there or is he no longer part of EASA?

Just want to do my research before I decide.

Thanks.

EASA
 

Hi,
I too an planning on doing my FI(R) at EASA and have visited 3 times now and really like the place, they usually put 2 people together to do the course.
The accommodation is pretty good and one of my pals who has already done the course the highly recommended them to me.
I'm hoping to do it there in September time.

Hi Debbie,

Sorry but I dont have any advice or experience of the FI course with EASA, but was wondering what are the financial benefits of the FI in the USA these days?

I take it you have looked at schools within the UK, or are you wanting to teach in the USA?

Instructing is a lot of fun, you will really enjoy it.

The financial benefit is that Fly EASA offer a JAA FI course, at a cost of £4900. In the UK it'll cost in the region of £6000.

Completing a JAA FI in USA doesn't mean you can now instruct FAA students. It's a JAA course approved by the CAA to a school that happens to be in the US, and being in the US is it a bit cheaper (due to cheaper fuel costs) then doing the same in the UK.

Once you add UK-USA flights on it, I'm not so sure it's worth it. I thought the FI in USA us to be cheaper, and worth the extra effort.

debbie1991 - I would recommend you look at the history of the characters who own these establishments in past prunerisms While you are about it, check out all the past postings for the other Floridian establishments. 'Colourful' is one way to describe them - they are all a long way from the CAA regulators, apparently.

FI at EASA
 

VJW
you wrote
"The financial benefit is that Fly EASA offer a JAA FI course, at a cost of £4900. In the UK it'll cost in the region of £6000."
Can you tell me where you have found a UK course for that price, as most places I look at are anywhere from 7-9000 pounds sterling ?

Stupix, Leicestershire Aero Club is one, its £6k for the FI course.

Heck, you could get a helicopter FI rating for £10k in the UK :}

Cheers

Whirls

...but we never pay up front, do we? :)

Cheers

Whirls

warrior2

Yes. The UK school I attended to rectify the horlicks was head and shoulders over the Floridian churner; the cost differential is minimal now Brown Sterling approaches parity with the Zimbabwean Dollar.

Its quite common for UK instructors to have to sort out and complete the syllabus from the FL sausage factories.

To be fair some FL students do get it all done but thats more to do with the luck of the draw with their instructors more than which schools they have been to.

To be honest with the FI its not like the rest of your training so far. Its a first step on a career ladder. Where you do it can have conseqences what work you get afterwards.

If your intend to get a job in scotland either Tayside with a chance at getting a job on the RAF contract or Syd through in Perth.

And England Mrs Pooley or Ontrack who both have very good reputations for producing decent FI(R)'s who can brief properly and also give long lectures.

Given a stack of CV's personally I single out those 4 and only when I don't have them I look at the others. I am sure there are other good FIC's out there but I have supervised/ worked with FI's from all those schools/instructors and they know what they are doing and deliver a quality PPL course.

Going for the cheap option and possibly struggling to find a job or worse getting a reputation for being gash while getting your FI(R) removed will cost you money in the long run.

And apart from anything else AT and SF have pissed off that many folk over the years alot of CFI's won't touch you with a barge pole as they will see you as tainted (there are quite afew Chief Pilots are of the same view if they see you have a CPL from them)

Its horses for courses personally I would go for a British FIC. Kevin Rowell at Sherburn runs an FIC as well, and I have no doudt that will be good as well but I have never seen his product. By going abroad your missing out a whole load of networking which is very important in securing that first job and getting your restriction removed. There are quite a few schools who only recruite by phoning thier favorite FII up. Kevin got me my first job as an FI even though he was my CPL/IR instructor. There is something special about your blue book arriving in the post, signing it and then going for your first payed flight (even if it was only 10 quid an hour) all within 10 mins of the post arriving.

Another thumbs up for Kevin Rowell. He also tends to have is finger on the pulse on the local job availability and if your not a kock he is more than happy to get on the phone and open a few doors for you.

Stupix - The FI course I was referring to for £6k was at stapleford flight centre.

As I also said, I'm sure training costs in USA in general have increased over the last few years, what with less and less people completing training and schools still needing to make ends meet.

Not sure it's worth it anymore, but on paper it's still slightly cheaper for the core course costs.

some good information there.....
 

There's some great information, from some well informed people.
My difficulty is that I actually live in Miami Florida, and want to get my JAA CPL/FI so the travel costs don't really play a part, but the most important thing is doing the right course. I will look at those mentioned, thanks.
Most importantly I have stage 2 of my CPL theory exams on Tuesday so need to pass them before the rest falls into place.

OBA/EASA mixed reviews
 

Hello debbie1991,

It seems there is a mixed review on Ormond Beach Aviation, but I must say firmly "Steer clear". Having dealt with EASA in Ormond Beach for some JAA flight training, and then to sort out the paper work they butchered I must agree with the term "Colorful characters". Mistakes do happen, but in the case of this place it was willful negligence and even the CAA had to become involved. After 15 years on professional aviation I've dealt with many flight schools and bottom feeding operations, but this was far and away the least professional, and at times, outright hostile.

The plane we were flying was questionably airworthy and not available for the week of the checkride. They'll have you sign an 18 page legal contract forfeiting all your rights the first day, which if you don't sign, will also forfeit a portion of your deposit and the flight out there. Just in case you decide to pay by credit card for some added protection, they also charge an extra fee for that. The real prize of this operation though is the chief instructor (Fisher), drop his name in any circle of people familiar with JAA training and checking abroad and prepare for some interesting stories.

Try Orlando Flight Training as an option or Naples Air Center, in that order.

Good luck, and I'm sorry to all the good instructors who have worked at EASA, this feedback was not intended as a reflection of you!

Before spending any money, check out this thread: http://www.pprune.org/professional-p...ps-2011-a.html

Clearly you haven't been to EASA in several months as you would have noticed that Fisher is no longer affiliated with EASA and has moved onto another flight school. Perhaps you should visit the school you're commenting on before you post false accusations. Additionally, if you were to receive an invoice, why wouldn't you question said "charges" if you felt they were in correct? Or, have you actually never been to EASA before, which would explain why you were unaware of Fisher's departure? I suggest visiting EASA as I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised.

Hello! First post..

So, I'm going there in less than two weeks. I read about a crash, and now since a couple of days, there websites are gone..?
Feel's reassuring.

@anfbillboard: It's sounds like you visit them at a regular basis.. Any words on this?

Regards.

EASA
 

I studied at EASA last september, gaining my PPL and Night Rating in 16days.

The plane I flew in 02C and my instructor were involved in the crash, sad to hear as he was a top bloke and instructor, but he lives.

AS for EASA itself, aslong as you know the ins and outs of your contract and are strong in sticking to your guns you can be in and out like I was...maybe I was lucky but all the guys I was training with all passed in good time, if extra training needed it was there and aircraft availability was pretty good and they were in good shape, well I can only speak for the PA-28's. They were rather happy to keep you training. However, as long as you know where to draw the line and put your foot down you'll be fine. If you think your wasting money then STOP spending. I was told on my mock skills test I wasn't ready and required a few more hours but there was nothing in this test suggested otherwise. i demanded I had my test, knowing full well the instructor would be knit picking, pressure was on but I passed, comfortably on a rather busy day at ormond. Accomodation there is second to none really, 1 mile from the aiport, although not a lot to do there but hey your there to study!?
One of my pals is already out there again studying his CPL.

I'm off to EFT for some hours building, the package they offer is unbelievable. Also a JAA school with great reviews

Happy flying and safe landings!

ask your dady for t/r and XXXX hours of line training, and PAY TO WORK until the airline kick you out for the next idiot who believe he will get a paid job! :{:{:{