Comair Aviation Academy
 

Hi all,

Just finished my JAA ATPL writtens here in the UK and very serious about going to Comair to do my JAA modular commercial training. Has anyone any thoughts on Comair? Good instruction/instructors? Good aeroplanes? Good value for money? Also, a friend is possibly doing her JAA instructor rating there and is wondering what the course is like with Comair..

Thanks

Have a look at their web-site (there are banner ads on PPRuNe). They were publicising a toll free number which, when you called and could prove some sort of serious interest, would then lead to an offer of a free or subsidised flight to their academy to check them out.... and presumably for them to do likewise.
They offer ab initio to 1500 hours through one of their schemes if the correct visas and proof of ability to pay for your fATPL are in place, leading to a possible offer of employment within the group.
Good opportunity on the face of it, IF funding is in place and if their promises are correct.

HI PRIMROSE,

CONGRATS ON YOUR ATPL'S. I WAS IN THE STATES DURING THE SUMMER AND I CALLED IN TO COMAIR FOR A LOOK. IT'S AN IMPRESSIVE SETUP THEY HAVE THERE IN SANFORD. FACILITIES ARE GOOD, THEY WOULD HAVE IT SUSSED ON THE FAA SIDE OF THINGS. IN REGARDS TO JAA TRAINING IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN AS THEY ARE NEW IN THE GAME. I WILL SAY THEY DO HAVE THE FINANCE BEHIND IT. ALTHOUGH SO DID PAN-AM IN FORT PEARCE WHO DECIDED THAT THE CAA WERE AN EXPENSIVE LOT TO DEAL WITH AND FINISHED THEIR JAA TRAINING.

I SPOKE TO THEIR DIRECTOR OF TRAINING PAT MURPHY WHO GAVE ME A GOOD RUN DOWN ON THEIR PLANS, THEIR CFI IS AN ENGLISHMAN CALLED PIERS SMERDON, TRY GET A HOLD OF HIM AND CHECK OUT YOUR OPTIONS.

I WOULD SUGGEST GIVEN I.F.T.A IN STUART FLORIDA A CALL. I HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT OF TRAINING THERE. TOP CLASS INSTRUCTING. THERE ARE TWO GUYS FROM THE NORTH OF IRELAND ON STAFF WHO MAKE PASSING A CPL OR AN IR A LOT EASIER.

GOOD LOOK,

IRISHWINGS.

Comair
 

I know Piers well good bloke top Instructor Ex Cabair and IRE

So knows his stuff, IFTA good instruction but the owner totally dis organised, and youd have to watch your money.

Unless its speed you want stay in the UK. The IR is tied up with Atlantic at Coventry.

Get the run down on the costs you will find it as if not more expensive

good luck ;)

watch out!
 

sorry, you can not log 1500h in comair unless you have a work visa.
J1 visa is only valid for a 2 years period, during these 2 years, you can only work for 6 months in the same field . something that Comair will not tell you .
Ask your US embassy if you have any question regarding this matter.
Comair will tell you anything as long you pay them.
even under a JAA program, you need a US work permit(green card).

J-1 Visa
 

Faacfi is correct in saying that the J-1 visa is only good for 2 years. In fact, this visa may not be extended like an M-1 or F-1 student visa even for very legitimate reasons.

However, he is incorrect in asserting that the J-1 only allows 6 months of work experience in the aviation field. The J-1 was intended to cover the period of training required AND allow for work experience during the rest of the visa time. So, if it takes 9 to 12 months to complete the training from zero time or PPL to a flight instructor certificate, then the rest of the time, 12 to 15 months in this case, can be used build time and get paid as a flight instructor.

Faacfi also gives good advice to check with the US Embassy if you are unsure about the limitations and requirements of the visa you are seeking.

Patrick Murphy
Director of Training
Comair Aviation Academy

Atlantic Flight Training - ground school
 

Comair is one of my options for Spring 2003.

I have spoken with them a number of times since the last Flight Show in Manchester in July. Seems like a good option to take a couple of years to pass the exams and build hours instructing as per Pat Murphy's note above.

One outstanding question in my mind is the quality of groundschool (I have not yet done APTLs.)

Atlantic Flight Training at Coventry provides the ground school. Does anyone have any comments on the quality of their material and teaching?

I visted Atlantic at Coventry Airport and it seems like a good set-up but I'd be interested to hear from anyone that has used their training material.

DAL