Pro-Pilot Orlando Flight Training
 

Hi All,

Starting the ATPL course Jan 08, just wondered if anyone else was starting at this time?

Would be good to share view's.

I'm not but I'd be very interested in what you have to say for the course when you get out there.

However I did notice you have already done your PPL back in 2003? So I assume you have had a discount on the full price of $35,995? Are you doing the JAA ATPL Ground School out there over 25 weeks too or did you do it here in the UK i.e BGS?

Good luck.

More about OFT/Euroflight
 

I am just back from OFT, and it is really a great place to fly, if

- you want to train real in flight emergencies :bored:
- train your negotiation skills :ugh:
- test your frustration tolerance :eek:
- spent more time and money as advertised :ouch:.

About the management has been written already at other places, I refer to the comments from Props Forward (30th September 2007), onefatpilot (4th April 2007, stevehudd (10th April 2007) KingKongPilot (26th November 2006) etc.

There have been quite a few incidents with the aircraft while I was there and it seems they haven’t learnt their lesson after this incident. Read the full story here http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief2.asp?...03LA179&akey=1
You might say, that was in 2003, but in my opinion it is just a matter of time to the next serious incident. I was sent off with a broken engine, just back from maintenance (they cleared a spark plug but left the broken oil ring on the piston), had during this flight a radio failure and fumes coming from the panel (probably the radio). Fortunately I had insisted on a fire extinguisher prior to start, as the aircraft had none…

If you are really considering training there, just ask them two questions (in written!):
- How many students are training at OFT/Euroflight currently?
- How many instructors do you have under contract?
If you are keen, ask additionally about average times for going Solo, PPL etc…

Sure, they just want your best, what certainly is your money, so they found many ways in reaching this goal. For example their tiny pilot shop or their student accommodation. Have a look to this pictures:
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...o/PB220061.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...o/PB220059.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...o/PB220058.jpg
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...o/PB220060.jpg

Fortunately there is the free market, but consider your contract and deposit!

If you are from India, try to get a reference from an other student prior transferring your money. I heard they take advantage of the Alien Status in America along with its vulnerability, and the guys I have spoken to had all very hard times explaining prolonged and more expensive training and just hope to get their licence and forget the rest as quick as possible…

My summary: Do not FLYOFT! :=

Pro-Pilot Course
 

Hi Plinky,

I've changed my username from cmvidini. I'm heading out early to do PPL and IR before April's ATPL. Which date are you starting ATPL?

After all the planning and paperwork I can't wait for the day to arrive when I Fly out.

I'm interested in your feedback.

Can you tell me what you hoped to achieve there, and what you actually achieved. Also perhaps what it actually cost in the end?

Thanks.

Is this the 1000hr Pro Pilot programme? If it is, how did you go about ensuring you'd be able to work as an FI in the US? What were the VISA/Work permit processes like?

Well this doens't sound too promising. I'm supposed to be going to OFT in the new year and was going to pay my deposit in the next couple of weeks. After reading all the above I'm not so sure! Anyone got any feedback on Moncton? Maybe a bit more expensive but no VISA needed and hopefully not so many god awful reports.

I do realise that there may be some good points to OFT but form what I'm reading it sound like a really expensive joke! :\

Orlando Flight Training
 

Hi Plinky,

Have my Visa interview on the 4th so keep you posted. I've had one previously as I did my PPL(H) at OFT two years ago. Was fairly simple just have all the info requested and be prepared for long waits at the Embassy.

Are you doing PPL Theory study at the moment?

OFT
 

HI,

Sure i'll stay in contact. I'm doing the ATPL GS with OFT but probably purchase BS for evening study as this is Gospel.

Orlando Flight Training
 

Just an afterthought, there are lots of threads of previous OFT students. Think timing and luck have a bit to do with Aircraft Airworthyness and whether your having to wait for an Aircraft.

Might be worth having a read but each students experience will be different.

To be honest I think the whole Flight Training process is a big gamble from start to finish. But it does concern me when issue like flight safety start coming up. I know there will always be issues at any flight school where the number of instructors or available aircraft is not adequate...but flight safety is a whole different ball game!

They're very clever how they all call themselves schools...they're actually a business so will always try to get away with the bare minimum of instructors etc. (Never guess I was an accountant at the mo would you!!!) :)

Pro-pilot course
 

Hi,

I'm planning on joining the April course but also to complete my PPL at OFT before. so will probably see you there.

When are you both planning on arriving at OFT? i'm planning on arriving end of Feb, to finish my JAA PPL as i've already completed the theory for it... well almost.

Seems to me every US JAA FTO has problems with AC going tech and owners that try and squeeze every cent out of you.

I am keeping a close eye on EFT / OBA / OFT / Naples as they cater for JAA students. I dare say that any of them have a clear history :rolleyes:

It really doesn't suprise me that OFT are over priced. They are the only JAA approved school in the area. It really does worry me on the flight safety side though. I think I'll be looking at Moncton or possibly a few other flight schools in the US to do an FAA PPL. Things are never simple are they! :ugh:

OFT
 

Hi Shock's,

Great to hear of another fellow April ATPL. I've used Gleim for PPL Theory as it has all the FAA Question Bank. Which have you used?

Have you decided where your doing JAA IR Conversion and MCC?

I did my PPL(H) at OFT few years ago and had great time, can't wait.

PPL Theory
 

Plinky,

On the Welcome pack it advises to study the theory prior to flying out so your ready for the exam. I've used Gleim.

Pro Pilot
 

I arrive 2nd Jan pending Visa.

Another crash at Orlando Flight Training / Euroflight
 

Just heard Orlando Flight Training had another crash. On Thursday 11/29/2007 a solo student crashed. He is ok, the damage is around 30 000 $. Do not know more yet. http://www.faa.gov/data_statistics/a...a/06_148ND.txt
Just two weeks ago they had a forced landing somewhere in the everglades (greetings to the crocodiles) with an insrtuctor due to an engine failure (so I heard) and in the same week an aircraft was uncontrollable on touch down and vibrated that much that the instrument panel come of (student with instructor), so I know.

Happy landings!

PPL
 

Its the FAA PPL theory that we still need to pass. This is what i'm studying with Gleim. Just friendly pointer, you could arrive at study it all there.

Jesus christ. How the hell is this place still operating!

Well I'll be looking at another FTO for PPL. :\

Chris I think I'm with you on this one.

Occurrence of accidents due to AC failure is too frequent for my liking.

A PA-28 this time :bored: ... Although I tell myself I'd give my right arm to become a pilot I don't think I'd give my life :rolleyes:

AlphaMale - Totally agree, what's the good of a PPL if you're not around to use it!

However I would have to say that from speaking to a mate who did his PPL out there; it does take a bit of common sense. If the aircraft looks like a bag of !!!! when pre-flighting then wait for a better one. After all, all those training aircraft get battered around from pillar to post and with the likes of OFT being a conveyorbelt of students they're never going to have a clean record. Im in 2 minds really.:confused:

Well I'm looking to take the 4/5 weeks off work in either start of summer 08 or end of summer 08 and get the FAA PPL done. I'm looking at the US FTO's due to the exchange rate and the speed of getting through the course.

However I am struggling to find any US FTO with a safe record?!?

All 4 JAA US schools are having bad reports on aircraft safety
(EFT/OBA/OFT/NAC) on pprune.

We don't seem to hear about AC incidents as much from UK schools, But thanks to Gordon Brown the only reason I'm looking at the US is due to costs. Otherwise I'd happily plough my money into a UK FTO :ugh:

(I mention JAA FTO's as I'd like to go back 12 after (having the ATPL's under my belt) and tackle the FAA IR & CPL and convert my CPL in one go).

I think the best attitude is just to remember that we're going out there to get a PPL, IMC and NR. Once we've got those get the hell outta there. I might try and do some hour building whilst im there but will have to wait and see.

The difference in fuel price will never change unfortunately and whilst I hate both Gordon Brown with a passion I don't think he can be entirely blamed for it.

I'm going to do some homework and see what other FTS's I can find.:ugh:

Whilst I'm not in the OFT protection business, I would like to point out that this last accident suggests a strong probability of pilot error. I wouldn't normally jump the gun before everything is known, but whilst others are doing so, I hope to add, perhaps, a little balance.

Sam.

ueberflieger
 

Ueberflieger

I think that you should be far more accurate in your postings about the INCIDENT and not ACCIDENT as you report it. Yes you are quite correct that a student pilot had an incident and not an accident. See the FAA report dated 30/11/07 The aircraft involved struck a taxiway sign. There is damage to the underside of the starboard wing.The damage is not even close to costing $30.000, if this was the case the aircraft would be a total loss and we would be replacing it with another.

FACT: We have never had a forced landing in the everglades,with or without an instructor on board the aircraft due to an engine failure in the last two weeks or in the last two years since I have been at OFT. The aircraft that you say was uncontrollable on touch down was a C152, and the vibration that you say, was from the nose wheel, called nose wheel shimmy which is due mainly from the fact that students and some instructors fly the approach and touch down too fast and do not take the weight off of the nosewheel. There is no way on this planet that the instrument panel can come off just by a C152 touching down on the runway, so FYI you do not know. Yes you can not please every single student, we do not have control on the local restuarant serving your meal too cold but we can sort peoples problems out if they come and talk to us. Any flight school that consistantly flys 3500 hours per month 36000 - 42000 hours per year will have some problems of some nature. The average flight school in the UK probably flys 500-600 hours per month. So I would suggest that you stick to knitting or cooking as probably aviation is not for you, especially as you do not state the correct facts.

Sam - I agree that some balance is needed hence my comments. However, putting aside any safety issues for a minute there are some pretty bad reports of OFT on here.

Im not going to start passing judgement on OFT as I havent been there myself (yet). I think that as long as the aircraft is thoroughly pre-flighted saftey should be too much of an issue.

Jock 113 - I think that any issues to do with accidents are always going to spark a few concerns as to the exact circumstances, whether its the aircraft or the pilot. But as a soon to be student pilot, you must understand peoples concerns. However if the facts are incorrect then I can understand a bit of frustration. (Maybe I should be working for the UN!) As you work at OFT can you confirm a few points before I hand over my deposit for OFT...

1) How many instructors are currently under contract at OFT?
2) How many students are you currently intructing as a business?

Cheers

Chris :)

Yo man..

term of a incident and a accident is clearly elaborated in the FAR AIMS and the LASORs, so write it down and shalf it down your arse. so stop trying to minimize damage control. It is accident.

Business wise, OFT operate a place which is unsafe and commonly regarded as inefficient accompanied by unethical marketing. And even took my money away of over 4 K.

I would like to see how OFT gets away with all this issues.

hijack - How did they take away 4k of your money? :confused:

Hey,

Change of plan, just completing my PPL in Florida, so still likely to see you out there.

Remember the more time you put in now the easier it will be later.

OFT
 

Hi Shock's,

Sorry to hear, why the change of heart? I spent month's researching all the Schools and as the IR and MCC are back in the UK I think this is what European Airliners are concerned with.

What are your plans?

changing rooms...I mean plans
 

Last minute change of plan, never been to the State so its a big step for me to go straight there and start an ATPL. I prefer to see first hand what i'm getting myself into. But i'm planning on completing my PPL with OFT, and go sight seeing. Though i'm looking at a course with Stapleford or Bournemouth commercial flight training. That way I can keep an eye on my business.

how long did you have to wait for your visa interview?

Advise from ex-OFT instructor.
 

I was instructing there in 2006, and be i have to warn you guys. You will pay alot more than what they advertise. They give you alot of emty promises. Expect to pay 20% more than what they tell you..
But on the upside... Its a pretty small airport, so you get a lot done pr. flight hour...

OFT
 

Hi Sloan,

Thanks for the tip off, really appreciated. OFT Advertise around 18k GBP for the full ATPL. If I factor in around 2k for Additional Fuel Charge what else do you envisage (Excluding Living).

Also, I note other Ppruner's having issues with Aircraft Maintanence and the ATPL theory - any comments welcome.

Did you do the ATPL also?

Visa
 

Hi Shock's,

I too run a Business but putting it on hold and borrowing money for the full ATPL. Careful with breaks in training, employers like to see continuity.

Personally I think it will be the year to remember.:D

Dear JOCK 113 at Orlando Flight Training / Euroflight
 

Dear JOCK 113, or is it the chief pilot himself???

Thank you for your thoughts, but I do not understand why you always must get that personal...
You got already so much advice on this forum concerning this attitude!
Read my posts carefully, never stated there was an accident, and everything else also is written in the best and most truthful manner, but indeed I wondered as I heard that the damage is 30 000 $ that you have such expensive aircraft….


I really would appreciate if you could answer the questions asked by chris-squire. Will you?

I do understand the problems with the lack of instructors and else, but it might help to treat those, and your customers with a little bit of respect and get the rest sorted (=management skills), what do you think?

Shouldn´t we ask a couple of current students instructors at OFT what they think about:

Safety?
Service?
Value for Money?

I invite you all!

cmvidini,

The 20% that i am talking about has nothing to do with fuel surcharge.. You have to expect to use more hours that what is in your package. I havent met anyone going through the entire program with minimum hrs. This is where the money add up really fast... Just on the PPL you should expect to spend 10-15 hours over minimum.. (Trust me on this one)
with prices for a SE piston running 100+ pr hour, you can understand it adds up quick...
As far as the ATPL, It was just starting up when i left the place... There was alot of complaining aboutn the teachers. I know that one of them is an FAA instructor with no JAA exams done, so im not sure how they got that approved...
Good luck to you.

oh.. they had a couple of unknown deduction which sums up to USD 4 K.

I've written to them, but never heard from them.... what a waste of time. Hopes it explain how irresponsible OFT management was..