Flight sim
 

It was never my intention to suggest such a thing.
I was trying to make the point that a person who has spent time playing with flight simulator has never had the need to learn about lookout.
On a trial lesson and after starting training they find it very difficult to maintain good lookout.
Attention always is on the panel because that is what they have unfortunately got accustomed to and need detraining.

Just to give my view...

I used Flight accademy last year/early this year to hour build. The planes are of a great standard, the newest I have ever flown. Your bookings are booked via an online system, so once its booked, you generally dont get moved around for other people, only if a/c goes tech which cant be predicted. Each member can book only 3 confirmed slots so everyone gets a fair chance, you can book as many slots as you like, once you use a confirmed slot up then your next provisional booking becomes confirmed.

I found this a brilliant cost effective way to build my hours, with safe and well maintained aircraft. I flew the PA28's from both Blackpool and Barton.

I would highly recommend this place to anyone, go and visit them, see what you think

Right. My friend who still flies from Tees Valley has got back to me to confirm (as per my post which has mysteriously been deleted??!!). The fit of the Durham aircraft, as of one month ago did certainly not have the following:

Garmin GNS 430 Colour Moving Map GPS Nav/Com With ILS
Garmin GMA340 Audio/Marker Panel
Garmin GTX 330 Mode S Transponder

Most of the equipment fitted was 'old and knackered'. It is fact that sometimes the Durham 152 was absent for 'weeks at a time'. In parallel, the school never went without. I wouldn't be so daft as to make any suggestion that might not be the same as employees of this school (or seemingly moderators of this site), though you may infer your own conclusion. Even the post above is confused as to whether he/she used the school or group.

Now I really have no grudge with this school/group, but I do take offence to being called a liar by employees of the school when they are so incorrect in their own facts. This is all fact, there was and is no picture on the website and I saw the aircraft - white with red and dark blue lines, ident on website G-GFID - someone correct me if i am wrong. Some of the other aircraft types may serve people well, though my conclusion was that the 152 organisation was questionable. DYOR.

That's strange because it's G-GFIB at DTV at present and I think 'weeks at a time' is totally un true. I also think 'old and knackered' is untrue....if an avionic item works should this be classed as "knackered"? I would like to add that I am no way connected with the school now.

It is a bit dissapointing that courses advertised on the website are not yet running.
I rang them up last week and the FI course still hasnt got the go ahead, yet it has been "happening very soon" for well over 18 months.

IR, FIC, FIC additional privileges!
 

I am surprised the lack of approvals has not been mentioned before.
They do PPL, MEP & CPL. As stated they have been advertising the other courses for around two years, must be embarrassing for the staff! :ugh:
and more so for anyone who has been waiting to do a course with them.....

Emabarrasing ? No !
I agree that maybe courses we dont run currently shouldnt be advertised or maybe it should be stated that we are awaiting approval .This is a managment decision and they have their reasons for doing it . Any enquiry to the school they will be told we are waiting for approvals . You have lost nothing and are then free to pursue other avenues .
That said we are not the only provider who you can go to to train in these disciplines . If you are holding out there must be some reason for it , Bob S you surely havent been waiting 18 months for an FI course have you .
Anyone connected with flying and who has had any dealings with the CAA should know that they dont do anything in a hurry and you cannot get a date for completion for anything Blood and stone comes to mind.
Manuals get submitted to the CAA for approvals ,when people phone up to enquire all the staff can say is , we are awaiting approval .
FAB is a relatively new schoool and is progressing well and buidling up the approvals as we go . From small acorns and all that .
Just come and have a coffee with us and we can explain all the plans show you round and see what you think .
We are new and learning some things as we go, but there is a lot of experience and know how there and we will get there please dont hold early issues against us .
Cheers :ok:

GearDownFlaps,
18mnths ago i wasnt ready so i made enquires to be told any time now, keep in touch etc, now ive started elsewhere I did want to do it at Blackpool as thats where I live as Just-Local states if the courses aren't available they shouldn't be advertised.

Bob S , many apologies old chap .

BARTON
 

Heard down the grapevine that FLIGHT ACADEMY BLACKPOOL are looking to set up big time at BARTON..any truth in the rumour..?

Heard down the grapevine that Viner and his half arsed finance company have done one. I hope he didnt leave on his motorcycle.

Also heard very same story that SV has left the country with IRAC on the his tail. The truth will provail in the next week i guess.

Before anyone says it yes i am am ex employee of FAB and i did Bail CS out once my self. I am in no way affiliated with his rival company FLYBPL who all i can say is doing way better business than FAB

Ta

414AC

it may be the case and turn out to be true, but TMWN needs to engage brain before opening mouth and think of all the people something so drastic could affect.

Times are tough for many, they dont need their nose rubbing in it.

Thunderbirds are gone!

FAB

:rolleyes:

All looked happy and ok when I was up there checking on my aircraft just the other day.

Wrong, He's certainly still here and all is well.. :)

I kept my eye on this Flight Academy/Aircraft Grouping 'organisation' after the unjustified attack from the employee last year. It is true the same organisation has set up at Barton and after making enquiries it turns out exactly the same business model I reckoned was being used at Blackpool. Get a bunch of naive wanabees to sign up to a 'limited member group', then use them to subsidise the school activities by training in their aircraft with as many punters as you can find and prevent said group members using their own aircraft - perfect!! If slightly underhand, but then, that's aviation.

Well we should all thank you very much for keeping your eye on the organisation for us .
Yeh they have opened up at barton successfully they have also opened at wolverhampton succesfully.
Their members at the top end of the spectrum are getting brand new sr20 aircraft for 130pm 80 per hour wet .
The said "Naive " members of which I was one are in the main very happy with their aircraft , training etc etc I built hundreds of hours with FAB in the G1000 cessna 80 per hour and the pa28s saving me a fortune .
I fail to see how I am naive .
Yes the school does use aircraft for training but this does not really get in the way of members requirements , it is in fact sometimes quite the opposite .
I fail to see why as neither a group member or a potential group member you have felt the need to ressurect this thread just to have a go at a very good organisation of which you:ugh: clearly want no part

I am in no way commercially connected to FAB but belong the SR20 group.

It enables me to fly a nearly new, fully equipped aircraft for £80 per hour wet. Bookings are done via an on-line system and availability has never been an issue for me.

Given the alternatives why would I want to do anything else?

Well said baldwinm! :D

If they had some of their Cirruses based around my area, I too be flying them for certain.