Can you trust these flightschools?
tigert:
Quote from: Ilkka Mäkelä on 26.02.05, 13:30
Well, the first school you mention uses C-152, C-172, Piper Warrior and Arrow aircraft for SE training. Pretty standard, though proven aircraft types, and a good way of keeping the costs down.
One simulator, an Elite PCATD simulator is mentioned for ground instrument training. Unfortunately, they don´t give the exact model. As the letters suggest, this is a PC-based simulator system. Though approved by the FAA, still a PC simulator. The cheapest model of these costs 3995 USD at the factory which makes them.
Yeah, a PCATD is a pc with some controls and an avionics console combined with an approved sim software.
Probably the above (www.flyelite.com) - nothing "wow! a sim! cool!" but still something that works of course if you practice procedures with it. Depends of course what they charge you for the use of that thing
Of course most of us would gladly use one of those for our simulator hobby
//Tuomas
Gnominator:
Quote from: Tuomas Kuosmanen on 27.02.05, 13:22
Yeah, a PCATD is a pc with some controls and an avionics console combined with an approved sim software.
Probably the above (www.flyelite.com) - nothing "wow! a sim! cool!" but still something that works of course if you practice procedures with it. Depends of course what they charge you for the use of that thing
Of course most of us would gladly use one of those for our simulator hobby
//Tuomas
As long as it is an approved training equipment I am really not concerned about the quality of the training. If it makes it cheaper it's even better. I cannot afford really afford to spend twice as much as necessary and if these training units get me to where I want to be I'll be absolutely happy.
I contacted both of the schools. Both replies within less than 5 hours and they both do not want me to pay the course in advance. But both want to check, whether or not I have the money and possibility to pay for my training. That's a normal procedure, I guess I would do that, too.
Well, after all the San Diego flying school looks more interesting. They replied quickly and answered all my questions to a satisfying extent. They employ JAA examiners, that means the whole course and checkflights would be under JAA rules. No additional checkflights would be needed to convert the license from FAA to JAA. I think that would save me quite a lot of money, too.
BlueStar:
I think you should be able to find the answers for your questions at pprune.org / forums / professional pilot training. They usually have people who have either gone to the schools or at least know something about them.
I didn't know that there was JAA training given in the Philippines. I guess from somewhere at JAA's webpage you can find out which flight schools are actually approved for JAA flight training.
Here's a list of some flight schools that give JAA flight training. It was last updated last fall so it is by no means complete.
USA
Western Michigan University - www.wmich.edu
UK Flight Training - http://www.ukft.com
Rainbow Air – http://www.rainbowair.com
Ormond Beach Aviation - http://www.flyoba.com (see pprune!)
Orlando Flight Training – http://www.flyoft.com
Multiflight - http://multiflight.infoserve.com
European Flight Training - http://www.flyeft.com
Britannia Flight Centre - http://www.britflight.com (excluding something)
The Pilot Training Academy Florida – http://www.ptaflorida.com (Approval Fall 2004)
Ari-Ben Aviator, Inc - http://www.flyaviator.com
Euro Pacific Aviation - http://www.flypacific.ic24.net
Naples Air Center - http://www.naples-air-center.com/
Anglo-American Aviation International - http://www.naples-air-center.com/
Helicopter Adventure, INC - http://www.heli.com
Orlando Flight Training – http://www.flyoft.com
There was no JAA flight training in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa (at that time). Although they had many courses that prepared their students to convert local CAA licences into JAA. There was one flight school in South Africa that was approved for JAA flight training but soon after the approval went out of business keeping the money students had paid up front.
Good luck!
manoova:
I've flown at the first one you mentioned - Anglo American. A friend of mine did his PPL (and later his IR) there and I was in the US on business and so visited him and spent a few days buzzing around California in one of their planes.
Ossi, my mate swears by them and from my few days flying their aircraft I found them to be very good and better than most of the FBO's I've flown with in the US.
Also San Diego is a pretty cool place to fly at with some interesting places to visit.
I have no idea about the Phillipines. Could be an adventure.
CaptBill:
Robert, I have used a local US forum - Piper Owners Society - for members that may have information on the Anglo-American Flight Training, San Diego. As soon as someone responds I will forward on to you.
I learned to fly and received my instrument ticket in Los Angeles about a thousand years ago, so my knowledge of the flight training academies is no longer valid. However, I have flown in Southern California and Florida. Without any doubts, the scenery in San Diego is exceptional and the number of days that flights are restricted due to weather are few. One small drawback is the limited practice airspace available there. From Gillespy airport, the Pacific Ocean is quite close to the west. There are 6,000 to 9000' mountains to the east. To the south is the Mexican border. The very same terrain that provides beautiful scenery also limits easy access to practice areas. This is a small detraction.
One suggestion to determine if a flight school is valid and professional is to contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB's) in the town where the flight school is located. BBB's are non-governmental agencies that help monitor the ethicacy of local businesses. They can tell you if there have been complaints about the school or business. Another method, is to contact the US FAA Flight Districts Standards Office. The District Safety Program Manager can give you some information about the school or refer you to the local FAA field representative that is responsible for monitoring flight training. This can all be done via the internet. I'll be glad to help idenfiy the correct websites if you like.
Bill Waters
Memphis, TN
N579W
Turbo Arrow III
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