This Review Overall Rating
I started training for modular CPL/MEP/IR with this school in late summer of 2024. Due to my experience, I terminated the training before finishing.
My first impression was very good, the facilities are great and new, the fleet and maintenance seems professional.
However, the problems started with organising lessons. Being modular student, I had to personally insist on being scheduled, while no guidance is available on how the schedule should look. Despite early heads-up, the poor organisation led to a late start of training and much confusion on the day of first lesson.
There was no training manual, no published standard operating procedures, not any student guidelines for the manoeuvres to be flown - at least while I was there. Content of the lesson was spontaneous, handling of the aircraft/sim depending heavily on the flight instructor. Call-outs or any routines were not taught in a structured way.
Simulator used for instrument training is based on King Air, thus quite complex and does not prepare well for the aircraft used in training. Aircraft for SE-IR-training are only 3x, with all different avionics, making it difficult to switch. Also during my time, all three of them had at least one instrument inop, which in some cases inhibits specific approach types - difficult for planning and reducing flexibility.
Situation of the home base (offers RNP approach only) results in quite long flights to other airports to practice other approach types, resulting in long lessons with relatively few approaches and little time for airwork. However the home base is good for training, the new facility and hangar is comfortable, the technicians are helpful. Aerodrome is non-towered (but with AFISO), which makes some things easier, although less "realistic" for commercial training.
To top it all off, shortly after starting, all training was stopped due to suspension mandated by German Aviation Authority (LBA) for the lack of standardisation and documentation as explained above. There was no transparent communication about this situation by the school, the problem was systematically downplayed. I as student had to constantly inquire about when the next lesson could be scheduled, until I understood the full extent of the problem after few weeks only. Training was re-started after six weeks, but situation had not changed much from student perspective.
However, I do not want to blame any instructor, they are doing the best with what they are given.
This entire experience has let me to stop training prematurely and change school. I do not know if the problems have been rectified by now, but hoping my review can help other students make better decisions than me.
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Course(s) taken:
General
Aircraft
Simulators
Practical Training
