Fast Helicopters
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Brighton, UK
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fast Helicopters
Hey Guys
I am aiming to start my PPL ( H ) at Fast Helicopters, does anyone have any good or bad information about them ?
anything to be aware of ?
thank you
I am aiming to start my PPL ( H ) at Fast Helicopters, does anyone have any good or bad information about them ?
anything to be aware of ?
thank you
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The problem with a question like this is you don't know who's
responding. You'll get a couple of people saying they're great
some saying they're crap. No doubt a few saying to come up
to their place instead and some will make fun of the name (which
has nothing to do with speed!)
Best advice is with training is to visit (more than one) school and
meet the guys doing the training. Your going to be spending a large amount
of cash and should feel comfortable there. Ask lots of questions, if
you don't get/like the answers try somewhere else. You're the customer,
certainly a buyers market at the mo!!
FP
responding. You'll get a couple of people saying they're great
some saying they're crap. No doubt a few saying to come up
to their place instead and some will make fun of the name (which
has nothing to do with speed!)
Best advice is with training is to visit (more than one) school and
meet the guys doing the training. Your going to be spending a large amount
of cash and should feel comfortable there. Ask lots of questions, if
you don't get/like the answers try somewhere else. You're the customer,
certainly a buyers market at the mo!!
FP
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Brighton, UK
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I do realize that, but I am limited in mobility ( read have no car ) so it needs to be close to where I live, and Fast seems to be the closes one.
Ive done some googleing and searching in here and other forums. and I havent found anything on them, which I see as a good sign. I have been in touch with Fast already and they have been very helpful. and quick to respond.
will visit them when I am on leave again. but until then I would like to hear from people that has any experience with them.
Ive done some googleing and searching in here and other forums. and I havent found anything on them, which I see as a good sign. I have been in touch with Fast already and they have been very helpful. and quick to respond.
will visit them when I am on leave again. but until then I would like to hear from people that has any experience with them.
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: clinging to the wreckage
Age: 54
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I second what flying pencil said.
Having done my CPL and FI with Fast I have found them to provide very good training and they seem to have a professional reputation within the industry.
Where ever you go an awful lot of it comes down to who the Instructor is and whether you get along with them..
Having done my CPL and FI with Fast I have found them to provide very good training and they seem to have a professional reputation within the industry.
Where ever you go an awful lot of it comes down to who the Instructor is and whether you get along with them..
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Land of damp and drizzle
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't pay up-front. This applies to any flight training organisation. You never quite know what's going to happen tomorrow, so pay as you go, even if the discount for paying in advance seems attractive.
You're the customer, certainly a buyers market at the mo!!
an awful lot of it comes down to who the Instructor is and whether you get along with them
Presumably you're looking at Shoreham?
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Kings Caple, Ross-on-Wye.orPiccots End. Hertfordshire
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just a pennorth on the FAST guys. (originally Findon Air Service Training)
.... I've known the instructors for plenty of years and you will not find a more experienced, professional, dedicated and occasionally fun bunch. The CFI, Ian MacGregor is as experienced and professional as you will ever want. The Reception staff are pleasant, welcoming and efficient. The student facilities are good.
Shoreham Airport is a 'pro rotary' airfield with adequate heli-training areas (Whisky & Echo) with a dedicated training slope. ATC has ATIS and is comprehensive. The airfield manoeuvering procedures produce a competent well disciplined pilot.
Enjoy your PPL course and have fun. Dennis Kenyon.
.... I've known the instructors for plenty of years and you will not find a more experienced, professional, dedicated and occasionally fun bunch. The CFI, Ian MacGregor is as experienced and professional as you will ever want. The Reception staff are pleasant, welcoming and efficient. The student facilities are good.
Shoreham Airport is a 'pro rotary' airfield with adequate heli-training areas (Whisky & Echo) with a dedicated training slope. ATC has ATIS and is comprehensive. The airfield manoeuvering procedures produce a competent well disciplined pilot.
Enjoy your PPL course and have fun. Dennis Kenyon.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Manchester
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did my PPL 13 years ago and FI 10 years ago with FAST (Shoreham), and never had a problem. Found the training to be a very high standard, but there again i was very fortunate to have Ian Macgregor as my FI. It was the best foundation for my commercial career.
Enjoy the training.
Enjoy the training.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Age: 71
Posts: 1,364
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have no knowledge of FAST recently; just making a general comment applicable to any flying school.
Past financial performance and stability may not be a good indicator of the future, given the current financial state of the country. Best not to trust any company with your hard-earned ahead of using it.
As others have said, the most important thing about your training is the instructor. Do what you have done, and go and visit: chat and get a feel for the place and the people. If you get on well with a particular instructor, say you want to train with him/her. Don't be shy - its your money.
As far as the company is concerned, the main thing they bring to the party is the aircraft. Make sure they have a reasonable supply of the ones you will train on and reasonable backup. Ask about SFH post-licence too.
Past financial performance and stability may not be a good indicator of the future, given the current financial state of the country. Best not to trust any company with your hard-earned ahead of using it.
As others have said, the most important thing about your training is the instructor. Do what you have done, and go and visit: chat and get a feel for the place and the people. If you get on well with a particular instructor, say you want to train with him/her. Don't be shy - its your money.
As far as the company is concerned, the main thing they bring to the party is the aircraft. Make sure they have a reasonable supply of the ones you will train on and reasonable backup. Ask about SFH post-licence too.
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Brighton, E Sx, UK
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't pay up-front. This applies to any flight training organisation. You never quite know what's going to happen tomorrow, so pay as you go, even if the discount for paying in advance seems attractive.
Cheers
Jimmy
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: yorkshire
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All the staff at Fast are brilliant! (Yes, even the engineers
)
However....... re-read lowfat's post....... then read into it what he/she meant.
And, just to labour the point: DON'T PAY UP FRONT!
)However....... re-read lowfat's post....... then read into it what he/she meant.
And, just to labour the point: DON'T PAY UP FRONT!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Brighton, UK
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Been googleing like crazy for the past few weeks.
just heard a rumor from the jungle that Sterling Helicopters are in severe financial difficulties, and since they are a part of Longmint Ltd. as well as Fast, I am a tad worried. anyone have any new information about Longmint or Fast ?
thanks
just heard a rumor from the jungle that Sterling Helicopters are in severe financial difficulties, and since they are a part of Longmint Ltd. as well as Fast, I am a tad worried. anyone have any new information about Longmint or Fast ?
thanks
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Any new information will, I'm sure, get posted on the EAAA thread.
Like Sterling, the guys and gals at the chalk face are excellent but the (non-aviation) directors have likely mis-managed FAST as well.
Do not pay up front ... and, if you're in a position to do your PPL in a short time frame, then you should be OK. You wouldn't want to be part way through and be left in the lurch of trying to find another school to transfer your training.
You might also want to consider what you will after you have your PPL(H) as presumably you'd want to self fly hire? I recommend you get a car!
Cheers
Whirls
Like Sterling, the guys and gals at the chalk face are excellent but the (non-aviation) directors have likely mis-managed FAST as well.
Do not pay up front ... and, if you're in a position to do your PPL in a short time frame, then you should be OK. You wouldn't want to be part way through and be left in the lurch of trying to find another school to transfer your training.
You might also want to consider what you will after you have your PPL(H) as presumably you'd want to self fly hire? I recommend you get a car!
Cheers
Whirls
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: All over UK awaiting the dream.
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BBC Do it all the way
Seems that the last of the group has gone into administration as of 24th January. Looks like Fast Helicopters is going the same way as all the other companies tainted by these pirates. What a shame, as if the industry isn't fragile enough. Hope the folks at Fast don't get shafted like everyone else.
Best Wishes
Best Wishes
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rhymes with ... clucking bell although it doesn't come as a huge surprise. It's not often I agree with Ace but once again, I've got to agree that I hope the staff don't get shafted and that those non-aviation directors get their just desserts.
Cheers
Whirls
Cheers
Whirls