Sheffield Review

[UTvols11]

I have to agree with Todd on this post....

I also went to Sheffield and passed with flying colors but there are a lot of things that I really do not agree with how they do things. I disagree with them not having the ADX part of their curriculum, it is a very difficult test to take and if you do not pass it, you cannot move on to the practical, even if you have a passing score for the overall course. Most of the stuff on the exam you will NEVER use nor is it relative to dispatching - if you plan on attending Sheffield, study beforehand and take it before you arrive. Rubin is one of the worst instructors I have seen in aviation that needs a major attitude adjustment and expects you to know the information as soon as he delivers it. Eric did hold a weekend session and helped us learn what Rubin taught us in one day in about an hour. Eric had a better approach in teaching the material than Rubin, I am not sure about Bret since he always hid in the back office. When it comes to the practical exam, make sure you know your stuff. You are not allowed to have any printed material in the exam room other than what they giver you even tho the PTS says otherwise, please see 8081-10c for more info.

I have worked with not Sheffield Grads and Non-Sheffield Grads, both have their pros and cons but in all honesty, you need to know the basic stuff in order to get your ticket, the company you go to work for will teach your most of the stuff in your day to day duties.

Overall, if I had to do it again, I would not pick Sheffield based on the instructor and how he taught things in the class, clearly never has has any training on how to teach. There are other schools out there that are just as good and teach both practical dispatching and written exam in their course. I understand why Sheffield does it but I think things would flow more smoother if both were taught.

 

[Bradpmp]

I also agree that Rubin could possibly use an attitude adjustment, that would be my main complaint about my experience there. They say you can "stay after" for help. When and if you do, Rubin makes you feel like your 2 feet tall.

 

[dark_reaper]

I am still considering either Sheffield or AGS for the DL program (Still saving up some cash for the program... more than half way there.) Is this Rubin really an ass, or is he just not a good instructor? When I get my license, I want to get the best education I can.

 

[MT]

Sheffield will be the best education you can get, even if there is a suspect instructor. Their curriculum is the best hands down.

 

[Hondo Calrissian]

Rubin knows his stuff, no question about it but his presentation needs work. He does have a attitude that makes it hard to learn at times. No question about Sheffield has a good curriculum and is tuff. Also, the classes can big large and I know that can make it hard to learn for some.

I rather have Eric since he can make it is simple quickly but he doesn't do any Instructing, he may hold a class on the weekends.

 

[womanpilot73]

I think there are several good schools out there, with EACH one having their own set of issues that could be handled better or improved upon. There isn't a single school without flaws. Each one will have an instructor that could be better or maybe shouldn't be teaching at all. No matter where you go, you'll find something you didn't like or appreciate about it. The key is to make the best of the curriculum being offered. It comes down to very hard work and self motivation to make up for the shortfalls. Remember too that bashing a school and an instructor by name could come back to haunt you...we are a small community and trust me, you will cross paths with some people repeatedly throughout your career and you don't want to burn bridges along the way by comments made on a very public forum. Everybody knows somebody somewhere, and it could be a reason you are not chosen for a job down the road...

 

[emorris]

Criticism is one thing. Constructive criticism is an improvement; however, lies, defamation, and falsehoods will never be tolerated or accepted by me without some form of retribution. Within the next 30-45 days, I will reveal more than a few facts that apparently escaped Mr. Weber’s selective memory. To our supporters who understand our methods and our operation, we at Sheffield School thank you. They are a big part of the reason why my school has operated continuously, in operations training, without a hitch, for nearly 65 years. Eric Morris – President – Sheffield School of Aeronautics (est. 1948)

 

[emorris]

When it comes to the practical exam, make sure you know your stuff. You are not allowed to have any printed material in the exam room other than what they giver (sic) you even tho (sic) the PTS says otherwise, please see 8081-10c for more info.

False.
FAA-S-8081-10C (with Changes 1 & 2), bottom of page 7:
"NOTE: Where appropriate, the applicant should be allowed to use printed reference material commonly available to a company dispatcher."
Even my own FAA inspector agrees that it is INAPPROPRIATE to allow an applicant to look up regulation answers, and other information that is to be LEARNED. Note the words: "where appropriate." The PTS was initially written decades ago and is based on an applicant seeking out an examiner, who knows little or nothing about the applicant's school and it's specific materials. Sheffield applicants receive (at least) weather charts, airport charts, approach plates, MEL, CDL, en route charts, OPSPECS, takeoff and landing limitations, etc.. during their examination. We DO NOT allow the freedom to reference any and everything, and the FAA agrees with that. Any examiner allowing this method of testing is welcome to disagree - just state your name here, and send your letter of authority with examiner card to the FAA because you're done at that point. If I'm wrong, feel free to petition the FAA to allow that ADX "Knowledge" exam to be open book. Well, why not, right?!
I am likely the active leader in AD practical exams with 966. My father administered over 2,650. We have a clue about rules and proper test procedures. So if still unsure, the next time you're asked for your birth date, just tell them "gimme a minute - gotta find my birth certificate." I'm sure active working dispatchers might agree that if a dispatcher is working the Northeast U.S. in the winter and can NOT remember what the symbol is for FREEZING rain, but rather calls it rain showers to the PIC, that could be a problem, with or without a working anti-ice system. If the dispatcher has to interrupt his/her briefing to go look it up within the Aviation Weather Services, that requires time. Ignorant dispatching is bad. Sloth-like, ignorant dispatching is worse. And yes, I was blamed by one applicant for his exam failure for not allowing him to look up everything, including the difference between a shower of water drops and an icing hazard, something that is common rote knowledge for any dispatcher or legitimate dispatcher school graduate. I suppose I am a true monster...if fact, I've got a few people in class currently reviewing regulations. I'm going to march into that classroom right now, and tell them to close those silly books since we can just look up all our answers. We can use the time to fill out their 8400 application. Gosh, I hope they brought their birth certificates, tape measures, and weight scales...it would save time.
Eric Morris - President
Sheffield School of Aeronautics (est. 1948)

 

[LawDXer]

Criticism is one thing. Constructive criticism is an improvement; however, lies, defamation, and falsehoods will never be tolerated or accepted by me without some form of retribution. Within the next 30-45 days, I will reveal more than a few facts that apparently escaped Mr. Weber’s selective memory. To our supporters who understand our methods and our operation, we at Sheffield School thank you. They are a big part of the reason why my school has operated continuously, in operations training, without a hitch, for nearly 65 years. Eric Morris – President – Sheffield School of Aeronautics (est. 1948)

I wish I responded to this post first.....and Mr. Morris, don't take this the wrong way...again, this is looking from the outside in....

I don't see anything wrong with the post by Mr. Weber, you seem to get offensive when something is said about your school that you don't like or agree with, do you? Why do you take it so personal? Are you that worried that his post will ruin your school? Are you losing students at a high rate because of this post?? If not...then get over it!! It all part of life and being a business operator and learning how to take criticism regardless if it's true or false!! Do you see other presidents coming on here to defend negative things said about their school? You seem to be the only one who does. The only thing I see that may be a lie is what I have listed below:

"Overall, the school doesn't care about you - it's all about the money for Mr. Morris, you are just a number to them from what we all gathered this last class"

Really??? Has this harmed you in anyway? And how is it all about money a lie - isn't anything these days about money and profit??
So what are you going to do with in the next 30-45 days?? That honestly sounds like a hostile threat towards Mr. Weber!!

"Rubin knows his stuff, no question about it but his presentation needs work. He does have a attitude that makes it hard to learn at times. No question about Sheffield has a good curriculum and is tuff. Also, the classes can big large and I know that can make it hard to learn for some.

I rather have Eric since he can make it is simple quickly but he doesn't do any Instructing, he may hold a class on the weekends."


I don't see anything wrong this what is said here...

 

[Kev]

I'm very proud to have graduated from Sheffield and consider it the best investment of time and money that I've ever spent. For one, I'm glad that very little focus was spent on ADX prep. That's not what I paid them for. I wanted the most comprehensive understanding of airmanship that my future career required, and I fail to see how that preparation could have been any more complete within the time I spent in and outside of the classroom.

I was a student with NO aviation background whatsoever and ended up with a 94% on my ADX. How? About two months before attending I took the list of 600+ ADX prep questions that Sheffield offers for free, bought a Gleim book with a CD-ROM and plugged those questions into the CD-ROM program as a custom review. When I got to Florida, I stayed after class a few times when I had questions, and got the test out of the way so that I could focus on information in the course that really mattered. What you do on the ADX does not matter, other than it fulfills one of the requirements for obtaining your license- you don't even need to understand it, just memorize the answers. You will never use that information again. What information you will use will be reiterated within the course cirriculum. The information upon which you will build the foundation for your career will be taught to you in the course.

Three and a half years ago, I had no aviation experience. After attending Sheffield and applying the knowledge gained from there, and being motivated to understand every facet of my job building upon the foundation of my education, I'm dispatching, teaching and administering competency checks within an international heavy jet operation. Every six months, I'll go through the in-depth Sheffield .PDF course reviews and quizzes made available to graduates and refresh my knowledge, and it is a tremendous resource that I can personally use for the rest of my career.

When I became interested in the profession, I contacted Eric to see if I might get in touch with a professional dispatcher at my hometown airline who might help give me guidance and show me what the profession demands. Eric did so, without yet having a single cent of my money. The dispatcher became my career mentor and friend, and by introducing me to an operational environment at a major airline inspired me to learn as much as I could and apply myself as best I could. By the way, his management are mostly Sheffield grads and strongly encouraged me to attend.

In closing, let me say perhaps the most important selling point. In every interview I've had in this industry, the fact that I went to Sheffield was brought up by each and every dispatch manager as a talking point. Your dispatch career will be a series of judgement calls. To all prospective dispatchers, I highly recommend making the choice to attend Sheffield your first good decision.

 

[LawDXer]

. In every interview I've had in this industry, the fact that I went to Sheffield was brought up by each and every dispatch manager as a talking point. Your dispatch career will be a series of judgement calls. To all prospective dispatchers, I highly recommend making the choice to attend Sheffield your first good decision.

It may be a talking point but I will tell you it's not a hiring point. The reality of it, you will go to work for a regional more than likely and having the paper that says you are licensed is all that matters in the long run. As stated above, you will be making judgement calls during you career - during you career you will learn the job of being a dispatcher, schooling is only 10% of it and as long as you know the regs, how to read both graphic and non graphic weather with basic weather theory and operational items, it show in the interview.

 

[Kev]

It may be a talking point but I will tell you it's not a hiring point.

Precisely why I chose my words as such. If there was any insinuation at all on my end, consider that it likely increases your chance of an interview, particularly when looking for your first job. Naturally, where one goes to any school does not normally necessitate an automatic hire. Say, however, you're a Harvard Law grad (for example) looking for your first job. A firm partner is likely to notice.

 

[Krystal]

We need a popcorn eating smiley for this board.

 

[BSUbronco]

Criticism is one thing. Constructive criticism is an improvement; however, lies, defamation, and falsehoods will never be tolerated or accepted by me without some form of retribution. Within the next 30-45 days, I will reveal more than a few facts that apparently escaped Mr. Weber’s selective memory. To our supporters who understand our methods and our operation, we at Sheffield School thank you. They are a big part of the reason why my school has operated continuously, in operations training, without a hitch, for nearly 65 years. Eric Morris – President – Sheffield School of Aeronautics (est. 1948)

I am not sure how "personal" reviews are considered lies, defamation and falsehoods. I like to hear what others have to say regardless if it is the truth or false..I mean the media doesn't report the truth 100% of the time, right?

If you are not going to tolerate it or accept negative remarks said about you school, then maybe you need get out of the business and do something else where you will not have critics? I feel that by you being on here and making attacks at people with their perspective is highly unprofessional and comes across as cocky, It just seems you are trying to cover something up and make a sales pitch for you school. You need to realize you will have your critics and as one pointed out in anther thread, there are many people on here who are pro-sheffield who will defend.

Until I started reading these threads, I planned on attending you school this summer.....not anymore, I can't go to a school where I am not allowed to have an opinion where I will be attacked.

I hope you will take something from this and let the dispatchers have their sub-forum back.

 

[Bumblebee]

I see this thread as a learning, and teaching, moment. Try being a teacher here and win the day...students teach your masters.
Networking is a double edged sword....

 

[LawDXer]

I see this thread as a learning, and teaching, moment. Try being a teacher here and win the day...students teach your masters.
Networking is a double edged sword....

I like this quote and agree with it...

With that said, it would be nice if Mr. Morris would not come on here and criticize people for their opinion of his school. There is not need to take it so personal - his business will always be thriving whether there is negative remarks said about the school or not. I feel that is comes of as unprofessional. I know there are a few people who will agree with me.

This should forum should be for personal opinions, gathering feedback and to overall, have fun - not to attack someone because of how they personally viewed their experience at a school.

 

[Hondo Calrissian]

As the great George Carlin once stated:
"Honesty may be the best policy, but it’s important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy."

With that said, It was NEVER my intention to offend anyone, including Mr Morris, by my personal take of how I viewed Sheffield. I will admit it may have been harsh and a little overboard but it was my own personal perspective during my 5 weeks in Florida. As I have stated before, I did learn a lot from Sheffield and really appreciate what I learned but my comments should only be taken as only commentary from my perspective regardless if I failed or pass the practical. I honestly do not think this should be held against me nor should I be talked down to for it. We live in a democratic nation where we have a 2 party system - they all do not agree on the same thing nor do they have the same opinion on situations plus they all make remarks that are not true all the time!

As I have OPENLY admitted I did not pass the practical the first time, yes it was embarrassing for me but circumstance leading to the day of my practical distracted me and my focus was all over the place. I have nothing to hide nor am I a dishonest person - I am also never ashamed to admit when I am wrong!

I am not trying to be disrespectful or slander anyone with my comment on Sheffield as it was not my intention. Eric, I am sorry if cause you harm on my remarks and if want to put me down for it, so be it. As I have stated in a few times, I am glad I went to Sheffield and appreciate everything I learn.

 

[womanpilot73]

As the great George Carlin once stated:
"Honesty may be the best policy, but it’s important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy."

With that said, It was NEVER my intention to offend anyone, including Mr Morris, by my personal take of how I viewed Sheffield. I will admit it may have been harsh and a little overboard but it was my own personal perspective during my 5 weeks in Florida. As I have stated before, I did learn a lot from Sheffield and really appreciate what I learned but my comments should only be taken as only commentary from my perspective regardless if I failed or pass the practical. I honestly do not think this should be held against me nor should I be talked down to for it. We live in a democratic nation where we have a 2 party system - they all do not agree on the same thing nor do they have the same opinion on situations plus they all make remarks that are not true all the time!

As I have OPENLY admitted I did not pass the practical the first time, yes it was embarrassing for me but circumstance leading to the day of my practical distracted me and my focus was all over the place.

Nicely said...

 

[LawDXer]

As the great George Carlin once stated:
"Honesty may be the best policy, but it’s important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy."

With that said, It was NEVER my intention to offend anyone, including Mr Morris, by my personal take of how I viewed Sheffield. I will admit it may have been harsh and a little overboard but it was my own personal perspective during my 5 weeks in Florida. As I have stated before, I did learn a lot from Sheffield and really appreciate what I learned but my comments should only be taken as only commentary from my perspective regardless if I failed or pass the practical. I honestly do not think this should be held against me nor should I be talked down to for it. We live in a democratic nation where we have a 2 party system - they all do not agree on the same thing nor do they have the same opinion on situations plus they all make remarks that are not true all the time!

As I have OPENLY admitted I did not pass the practical the first time, yes it was embarrassing for me but circumstance leading to the day of my practical distracted me and my focus was all over the place. I have nothing to hide nor am I a dishonest person - I am also never ashamed to admit when I am wrong!

I am not trying to be disrespectful or slander anyone with my comment on Sheffield as it was not my intention. Eric, I am sorry if cause you harm on my remarks and if want to put me down for it, so be it. As I have stated in a few times, I am glad I went to Sheffield and appreciate everything I learn.

Very well said Mr. Weber! Very professional for you to do a noble thing!

 

[69beers]

Here's my review of Sheffield: I started class there almost exactly 15 years ago. It was very challenging, I studied hard, I did well, and aced my practical and oral. I did, however, not do so hot on my aircraft performance test because I spent the weekend shacked up with a waitress from the Davie Ale House instead of studying. To this day I partially blame Eric for that poor test score due to the fact he recommended the place to me. I will (and have) strongly recommend that school to someone who is very sharp, motivated, competitive, and self-driven to be the best in what they do for a living. This is generally somebody I would like to work next to in the future and, in my opinion, is the type of student Sheffield caters to. I can proudly say that one of the members here went there on my recommendation, did very well, and is continuing to climb the ladder of excellence in this profession. Some of the best dispatchers I know didn't go there, but many of the best that I know did. I can't comment on any other school because I only went to one. I still keep in touch with Eric to this day, and spoke with him this week as a matter of fact. Eric, thanks for getting that 121.193 guidance back to me so quickly. It was very well written as usual. And yes, the bad test score was totally worth it!