I wish this were just a rumor

"As for DE, your opinion is always bright. For the most part, I think you're just a bitter old bastard"

HAHA. Wow, pretty harsh. Funny how the direct trackers and guys from Gulfstream call me names, here and a few other places. Seems like the vast majority of guys who have moved up in the biz agree with me. Someday, you'll see what I mean....
 
CLR4ILS said:
FSA has more than earned the stellar reputation they have. I'll tell you what DE, just out of curiousity, you call every airlines Cheif Pilot and you tell him that you want to send your son to flight school. Give him three choices, FSA, Mazzie Flying Service, and Pan-Am. Pm me with the results when you are done.......
Click to expand...

What qualifies the "CP survey"? What do they know about where their pilots came from? I am pretty sure our CP doesnt know where 99% of his pilots trained at.
 
DE727UPS said:
"As for DE, your opinion is always bright. For the most part, I think you're just a bitter old bastard"

HAHA. Wow, pretty harsh. Funny how the direct trackers and guys from Gulfstream call me names, here and a few other places. Seems like the vast majority of guys who have moved up in the biz agree with me. Someday, you'll see what I mean....
Click to expand...

I'm not a 'direct tracker'.

I understand you don't agree with the program, but do you think it's necessary to be such an ******* all the time?
 
"but do you think it's necessary to be such an ******* all the time?"

I don't think 250 hour pilots belong in RJ's and that's what direct track does. I've said several times I think FSA, outside of direct track, is a quality program. All things considered, though, I don't think it's a good choice for your average joe unless the VA is footing most of the bill.

You think I'm an ******* because you go to the school. I'm not sure how I can speak out about direct track and still have you not think I'm an *******. Nope, don't think that's possible. Do you?
 
I think the problem at FSA goes deeper then simply the extremely higher cost of tution,though it does play a part of the equation. The problem at hand as to the decrease in students is the current state of the industry and low paying salaries after graduation with loan repayments in the ammount of $100k+.

Pilots are bailing from this industry faster then rats off a sinking ship.With that kind of knowledge not sure I exactly want to drop $100k in tution to be making $10-25k starting pay with no real job security and loans to pay back. Which is why you see the drop in student enrollment and why you see such schools at Pan Am and Westwind going to mainly foriegn training fulltime just to keep the lights on.

With FSA's higher cost if they don't secure students soon be it domestic or foreign they may soon be closing their doors.
 
Got some more info today, and thought I'd help with the rumor mill.

FlightSafety is NOT closing its doors any time in the forseeable future. Here are some reasons to back that up...

They are finishing up a brand new 2400 sq ft hanger. Just last year they signed a 30 year lease for the property on the airport. They have renovated two of the dorms. And within the last year they had the ERJ145 sim installed. THe hanger and dorms were covered by insurance due to the hurricanes, but the other stuff cost some big bucks, so they aren't planning on going anywhere soon.

Their was a guy that came down from NY to give them some ideas on how they could improve things at the school and he has submitted his report to the home office. Not sure what all was in it, but I know upper management here was not very happy about it. I think it's safe to say that there are going to be a couple job openings in upper management in the next few months. I think its time to get some new blood in here and stop getting rid of the excellent instructors that they do have.
 
badco99 said:
Got some more info today, and thought I'd help with the rumor mill.

FlightSafety is NOT closing its doors any time in the forseeable future. Here are some reasons to back that up...

They are finishing up a brand new 2400 sq ft hanger. Just last year they signed a 30 year lease for the property on the airport. They have renovated two of the dorms. And within the last year they had the ERJ145 sim installed. THe hanger and dorms were covered by insurance due to the hurricanes, but the other stuff cost some big bucks, so they aren't planning on going anywhere soon.

Their was a guy that came down from NY to give them some ideas on how they could improve things at the school and he has submitted his report to the home office. Not sure what all was in it, but I know upper management here was not very happy about it. I think it's safe to say that there are going to be a couple job openings in upper management in the next few months. I think its time to get some new blood in here and stop getting rid of the excellent instructors that they do have.
Click to expand...


Some new blood would probably be a step in the right direction. There is alot of management there that is good and should stay in place. The problem I have is with respect to standards. Not to say the standards are bad, but the students today are not being held to the same standards of 3-5 years ago.

When I came back for my CFI/II/MEI after 9/11 it was very evident that the change in the standards department was not a good move. Even one of the senior Check Airmen who has been there since 96 told me that the students are not being pushed like they used to.

FSA was at the top of it's game with respect to standards when Kevin Pence was head of stands and Al St. George was the head of academics. I would like to see new blood like those two back in the Academy...

ILS
 
Well rumors are running amuck, so I'll give some of my insight.

Flight Safety International isn't looking to close the school, Flight Safety Academy. Current or prospective students should not be concerned that they may stop their training or lose their money (as happen in Orlando at another school not so long ago), it’s owned by Berkshire Hathaway and I can't see a company like that trying to defraud a few students.

They are looking at streamlining or making what they have more efficient. As everyone is aware the school was at one time ramped up to run 500 + students, and for the foreseeable future it’s not likely to get back to that level. So like any business would do, some things are being reorganized and personnel changes occurring. It’s not that big of a deal.

My thoughts, sometimes LESS is MORE, it’s much more personable now from my perspective, at the current student level everyone knows each other and the camaraderie amongst students seems great.

The Director of Training met with the CFI's today to let them know that the internal audit has been complete and forwarded on. It will be reviewed and evaluated. I'll bet some suggestions will be implemented and others rejected. As far as what those will be remains to be seem. To speculate is never a good thing, ask the NTSB, let wait for the facts. In due course we will find out.

I feel Flight Safety is striving to improve what they have. They are asking questions from the employees and taking suggestions as to what they are doing that’s working and what’s not, and how should we change to make it work. What more can you ask for. They have good dialog going, good things will come from it.

Instructors are busy for sure, and there is good movement on to the airlines. For the first time since 9/11 the trend to move from CFI to Airlines has been going very steady for this past year, here anyways. The Swiss & RWL programs are comming back online here pretty soon and talks are on going with an Asian Airline (not sure which).

So it’s not all gloom and doom. Always be wary of what you read and do your own research. This post inclusive!!!

Anyone wants something specific and if I know or can find out I'll give ya a holler.

Cya in the Sky
 
Over a year later, are these rumors still going around? Have student numbers increased? is the atmosphere better?

Basically has the situation changed, or are things getting better?
 
Yup, its still floating around.

Although there have been large changes is management recently.

Skovgaard is out, Jhagroo is in, among a few other changes.
 
Not that anyone probably cares, but if you go back and read all of Don's posts in this thread you will also learn my opinion, with about 98% accuracy.

Thanks DE - saved me a fair amount of typing. :D
 
Looking back at this thread has been a reminder as to how things change, and perspectives shift.
 
FSA rocks, and I love it here so far! Excellent professional laid out training with very tough standards and excellent instructors.
 
Did Skovgaard retire or was he let go? Suprising to see Jaghroo in charge....he didn't seem to do much when I was there.

I can't remember his name, but is the asst. CP (former navy Tomcat RIO) still there?

chunk
 
Well,
Looks like this "Thread" finally came true!! FlightSafety Academy was sold yesterday (18 Dec. 06) to "GTI." From what I hear, the Academy is totally cut off from FlightSafety International!!

More details to come on/after 28 Dec. This is the only information that I have right now....if anyone else knows anything, let it roll.

Wonder if its going to be "business as normal," or a total "shake down!"

T56
 
CLR4ILS said:
When I came back for my CFI/II/MEI after 9/11 it was very evident that the change in the standards department was not a good move. Even one of the senior Check Airmen who has been there since 96 told me that the students are not being pushed like they used to.
Click to expand...

Pushed, milked...just semantics.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top