Private Pilot The best way to touch the sky!
Welcome Summer 2014 Dear Aviation Enthusiast, Welcome to the 2014 edition of our Airline Pilot Brochure, we hope you find the content informative and stimulating. Our brochure goes hand-in-hand with our website, you should find all the information and more that you seek about BFS. However, if you would like to find out even more about us and the training courses we offer, we encourage you to visit us through a personal tour of the school. We provide high quality and enjoyable training courses for aspiring airline pilots but also for active crew members wishing to receive recurrent training. We are recognized nationally and internationally as a leading provider of aviation training services and general aviation support. On July the 1 st of 2008, BFS became a member of BFG (Belgian Flight Group). We are now at the top of leading aviation service providers in central Europe, strongly anchored in the Belgian landscape. Our recent partnership with Airborne Flight Academy in the United States, one of the world s top tier flight schools, has also allowed us to become one of most respectable training providers. We all share a genuine passion to offer you the very best quality training, facilities, equipment and a customer service experience to ensure that you leave us with the highly developed skills that you seek. We are all extremely proud of our company, our staff, our customers, our training centres and the quality of training and customer care that we provide. Enjoyable reading, Philippe BLOCKMANS CEO & Head of Training
About us Our History Established in 1981, BFS started its life as a school for private pilots. A couple of years after that, the school moved to the airport of Charleroi Brussels South in order to expand its activities. In 2004, BFS became a fully certified European ATO (Approved Training Organisation) and started offering airline pilot training programs, according to the new regulations. The school is approved by the Belgian Civil Aviation Authorities (BCAA) under the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), formerly known as the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) to train pilots (from private pilots to airline pilots) according to the Flight Crew Licensing regulations. Since 2008, BFS became a member of BFG (Belgian Flight Group) along with its sister company BFM (Belgian Flight Maintenance) and BFH (Belgian Flight Handling). Today BFS has become one of the largest flight schools in Belgium, with an increasing volume of students, instructors and aeroplanes. In 2012, we trained more than 80 students at our two Belgian campuses, with more than 50 fully certified flight instructors and close to 15 dedicated administration / operations officers. Our parent company BFG (Belgian Flight Group) was created in the summer of 2008, when BFS partnered with an important Belgian investment company. BFG quickly became one of Belgium s leading aviation services providers. BFG and its subsidiaries common denominator is aviation. Our Accreditations BFS is accredited by all of the following highly recognized agencies: EASA Approved Training Organization (ATO) BCAA Flight Training Organization ICAO Listed in the Aviation Training Directory SPW Approved Education Check program EBAA Affiliate Member 3
Training Centres Brussels South Charleroi Airport Belgium Our headquarters are located at the airport of Charleroi Brussels-South. This airport is internationally known for its fast development, especially over the last decade, and the increasing presence of low-cost carriers. Located only 50 km from Brussels, the airport is the second most active airport in Belgium, which is perfect for airline pilot training. The airport, licensed by the Belgian Civil Aviation Authorities and the European rulemaking agency has 2 opposite runways (25/07) full lighted and equipped for instrument procedures and commercial operations (control tower, radar, ILS, NDB, VOR, DME). Students will share the runway with airline jets and other general aviation traffic. Located in the heart of Belgium and in the heart of Europe, airline pilot students will be trained in one of the world s most complex airspaces, almost entirely controlled and severely organised. This, combined with the challenging weather conditions, contributes highly to the quality of training and to the reputation of the school. With a modern, airline-style training centre, our facilities are perfectly equipped to provide student pilots with all the necessary tools required to learn and complete their programs effectively and efficiently using the very last technologies available. 4
Liege Bierset Airport Belgium Located close to the boundary between Belgium, Germany and Holland, the airport of Liege is known as one of Europe s most important hubs for freight and cargo flight operations. Dozens of jumbo jets take-off and land everyday from this airport. The airport has 4 opposite runways (23L/R-05L/R), fully lighted and equipped for instrument procedures and commercial operations (control Tower, Radar, CAT III ILS, VOR, DME, NDB). Formerly used as a military airbase, this airport is a perfect platform for professional pilot training. Being mostly active during the night for commercial traffic (typical to cargo operations), this international airport is available during the day for flight training. With modern and comfortable offices and classrooms, located close to the passenger terminal, students will be trained in a familiar and friendly, yet professional environment. The fact that we are based in Charleroi and Liege doesn t mean that we only fly in and out of these two airports. We fly all over Belgium, and even across boundaries, over to France, Holland, Germany, Luxembourg, or even Switzerland. Europe (especially Central Europe) is covered with hundreds of airports and airfields. From major international airports to remote small grass strip aerodromes, our students will experience cross-country flying and develop their skills thanks to this unique network. 5
PPL October 2014 Fort Lauderdale Intl (Florida USA) Thanks to our partnership with Airborne Flight Academy, we also operate out of the international airport of Fort Lauderdale, in central Florida (USA). Our location provides perfect weather for year-round flying as well as the opportunity for students to explore many of the nearby world-famous tourist attractions. The Class C Fort Lauderdale International Airport has an FAA control tower on the airport property and four runways with the main runway being 9,600 x 150 ft. Other facilities include Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), GPS Approaches, High Intensity Runway Lighting, a Non-Directional Beacon, a modern terminal with complete ground handling equipment, an AWOS weather reporting system and many other enhancements. As a part of our Integrated Training program, BFS students will be spending up to 5 months in Sanford, performing the complete VFR training program, leading to the delivery of the FAA Private Pilot License, in one of the most airline oriented environments. Housing, transportation and food are provided on site. Our Modular students will also be able to enjoy Florida s sunny weather during their Time Building module, as we offer special packages on Airborne s aircrafts. A one to two months program with 100 hours of flight time is available upon completion of the PPL module. The Academy is comprised of four main buildings: the Academics Building, the Administration Building, the Simulation and Maintenance Building, and the Operations Center. The Academics Building consists of seven (7) multimedia equipped classrooms. All classes are taught by full-time Academic Instructors. One classroom is arranged to accommodate 34 students and the remaining six classrooms can accommodate 24 students. 6
PPL October 2014 Classrooms & Equipment BFS Students have always achieved consistently high pass rate in the different written examinations. Our current pass rate exceeds 90%. BFS has selected comprehensive study material and the latest references to meet with the latest European requirements (EASA) in ground training. All of our classrooms are fully air conditioned and equipped with digital HD projectors, electrical white screens, stereo sounding and the Apple TV system. The majority of our classrooms can accommodate class of up to 24 students. BFS is also the first school in Belgium, and one of the first schools in Europe to introduce the use of the ipad in its training curriculum. This innovative system, partially replaces the traditional paper manuals and syllabus. These courses are not only electronic books, they also contain unique features such as bullet-point summaries, 3-D graphics, videos and animations which will help students assimilate the different subjects in a much more dynamic and didactic way. Our operations & crew rooms are equipped with computers and printers, allowing students to prepare their pre-flight files easily and efficiently. A high speed wireless internet connection is also available throughout building. Instructors & Staff Our instructors have been especially selected for their skills and experience in aviation. 80% of our ground and flight instructors are active or retired airline pilots, with a flight experience of thousands of hours for most of them. Their airline experience allows us to continuously review and update our programs and our curriculums, in order to meet the highest standards of the airline industry. Using specific standard operating procedures and techniques, our instructors have been especially trained to teach our students to the highest level of knowledge, skills and aptitudes. 7
PPL October 2014 Our goal is to provide our students with a personal and friendly customer care experience which complements the high standards of training delivered. We seek to ensure that you leave us entirely satisfied with your training and service experience. The priority of our staff is to provide you the attention and care you need to support you throughout your journey with us. Our fleet Our fleet of airplanes consists of more than 20 training aircrafts, allocated between our training facilities in Belgium. These aircrafts are all perfectly equipped for training and have proven their reliability and redundancy, in order to ensure the highest level of safety possible. 4 Beechcraft BE77 Skipper (basic VFR trainer) 6 Cessna C150 (basic VFR trainer) 3 Cessna C172 Skyhawk (advanced VFR trainer) 1 Piper PA28 Archer II (advanced VFR trainer) 4 Cessna C182 Skylane (advanced IFR trainer) 3 Piper PA34 Seneca (advanced IFR twin-engine) 1 Diamond DA42 Twin Star (advanced IFR twin-engine) In partnership with Airborne Flight academy, we also operate a wide fleet of aircraft in Orlando, Florida: 35 Cirrus SR20 (advanced VFR & IFR trainer) 12 Cessna 172 Skyhawk (advanced VFR trainer) Our fleet is maintained by our own approved maintenance workshop Aro Maintenance (Formerly Belgian Flight Maintenance BFM), which is approved by the Belgian and European authorities. Maintenance is done according to very strict procedures, ensuring the highest level of reliability and safety possible. 8
PPL October 2014 Our simulators BFS currently uses two modern simulators built by the Swiss company ELITE, known for the quality and reliability of their products. These devices will be used mainly for instrument flight training. Each student will spend between 40 and 50 hours in the simulators, learning instruments procedures and scenarios. Capable and accurate flying on instruments is a primary skill expected of an airline pilot. The significant investment in high fidelity simulators reflects our commitment to providing high standards in the delivery of instrument rating. Our simulators are certified under the current FSTD-A regulation. Their cockpits are designed to reproduce a standard environment, very close to the cockpit of the airplanes used for flight training. Although these devices are primarily used for instruments training, the 120 to 150 wrap-around visual system allows the students to practice visual circuits and other VFR exercises as well. Changing from single engine aeroplane flight model to multi engine aeroplane flight model takes only a few minutes. The central console and instruments panel are easily interchangeable. Our assets Airline oriented training, organization and procedures Comprehensive training programs, dedicated to quality and success Top priority set on safety culture Important fleet (60+ aircrafts on both continents) and modern facilities Use of the latest technologies both on the ground (simulators, ipad, CBT) and in flight Training programs tailored to the airlines needs and expectations Perfect combination between US and Europe for high quality training Excellent success rate for those who pass our selection tests Airline pilot Instructors 9
PPL October 2014 Private pilot training Why becoming a private pilot? Have you ever dreamed of flying on your own? Are you tired of being stuck in the traffic jam to get to your holyday locations? Do you want to explore a new dimension? Do you like managing a complex environment and endorse responsibilities? Are you looking for new feelings and sensations? If the answer to those questions is YES, then you are meant to become a Private Pilot. Pre-entry Requirements Minimum age 17 High school degree or equivalent diploma Good knowledge of English* Class 1 medical certificate Being a EU citizen *One of the most important requirements nowadays is to have a good knowledge of English. If you believe your level to be too low, brush up courses in English are available through our school. Contact us for more details. It is highly recommended that before you begin any training you take the class 1 medical exam. It is a requirement that all airline pilots pass this medical and if you do not, you will not be able to complete the training to achieve the course. It is therefore a good idea to take this before paying out on the expensive course fees. Refer to the end of this brochure to see the medical exam application form. If you meet all these requirements, you can enrol for the interview. 10
PPL October 2014 International Students Candidates who are not from the European Union should be holder of a long term visa (education). For more details, visit: http://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/services/travel_to_be lgium/studeren_in_belgie/ http://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/services/travel_to_be lgium/visa_for_belgium/ https://dofi.ibz.be/sites/dvzoe/en/applicationguides/pages/studying_in_a_private_higher_education _establishment_visa.aspx Non-EU citizens should travel to Belgium first under a tourist visa in order to take the medical exam as well as the selection/evaluation tests. The long term visa application shall be completed when back to their home country and upon receipt of the tests results (medical & selection). Training Program The PPL module is probably one of the most important modules of the whole modular program, representing the set of core skills of a pilot. Candidates will learn how to fly an airplane, from takeoff to landing, across the country. This module includes ground courses (+/- 100 hours), given 2 or 3 evenings per week and flight training. The flight training program itself is divided into three phases. 1) Core phase (general flying). Candidates will learn the basic flight manoeuvres of an aeroplane (climbs, descents, turns, stalls, acceleration, deceleration, etc.) 2) Circuits (Touch & go s). During this phase, candidates will learn how to takeoff and how to land an aeroplane (in many different conditions). They will also learn basic radio procedures. The first solo flight is performed during this phase 3) Cross-country (navigations). This phase will teach candidates how to prepare and fly from point A to point B with ground visual references. First with an instructor and then solo. The PPL licence will allow candidates to fly on single engine aeroplanes, throughout Europe, under Visual Meteorological Conditions (VFR Visual Flight Rules 11
PPL October 2014 Pricing* Private Pilot License (PPL) Training Program Price - - Ground Training / Academics 129 hours of ground courses 650 21 hours of briefing included 4 hours of aircraft ground course included 650 Flight Training 30 hours of dual flight instruction on BE77/C150 5.772 5 hours of supervized solo flight on BE77/C150 962 5 hours of solo cross-country flight on BE77/C150 599 5 hours of simulator training 762 1,5 hours of in-flight skill test on BE77/C150 180 8.275 *** Extra training hours may be required *** Total Price: 8.925 *IMPORTANT NOTE: Airline pilot training, whether integrated or modular, shall be considered as competency based training. The hours and the durations mentioned in our brochures are estimates, based on the European regulatory requirements. Nevertheless, success does not mean achieving the minimum amount of hours, in a minimum amount of time! Success means that a candidate has reached a certain level of Knowledge, Skills and Aptitudes (also known as KSA s). The exact amount of hours required as well as the duration (and thus, by deduction, the price) required for a candidate to reach these KSA s will depend on several factors, the main ones being the sole responsibility of the candidate: motivation, discipline, hard work, flexibility, availability, courage and determination! Other factors such as the weather conditions may also affect the duration of the courses. Payments Fly n Pay Under this system, students pay for the ground Courses at once (PPL, ATPL, Night, ME). Flights performed will be charged every week, meaning that if students don t fly for a certain time, they don t have to pay. Payments is therefore spread over the entire duration of the program and the amounts invoiced are dependent on the amount of hours flown by the students each week. Training Material acquisition is left to the discretion of the students. It can either be acquired through BFS, or via other providers/vendors. The exact references of the material needed for each module will be provided to the student, should he or she decide to buy it on his/her own. This payment system (Fly n Pay) was established in order to allow students to manage their financial resources in the most comfortable way possible. Expenses are spread over the entire duration of training, and are directly related to the intensity of training. 12
PPL October 2014 Housing Short term stay (up to one month) The school has established a solid partnership with the Ibis hotel group and is able to offer special rates to candidates staying for up to 1 month in one of the three hotels surrounding the airport of Charleroi Brussels South: Hotel Ibis Charleroi Airport (+/- 2 km from the school) Hotel Ibis-Budget (+/- 2 km from the school) Hotel Ibis Charleroi Centre (+/- 10 km from the school) The services offered include a fully equipped bedroom with free Wi-Fi internet access, individual bathrooms and closet, breakfast, a two-way shuttle to the school facilities, laundry services and access to all common areas Contact us for more details. Long term stay (more than 6 months) Although we currently don t provide accommodations or housing in Belgium, we work closely with real estate companies in our region and we are able to guide you through your researches. Belgium is the heart of Europe and a fantastic place to live. The diversity of its countryside s and cities makes of it a very warm and intimate country, where cultures, religions and traditions are mixing with each other to give the heartbeat of Europe! The average monthly housing budget is about 500. Registration procedure To apply for our private pilot courses, candidates should follow the following procedure: 1) Make sure that you know everything about the school and the program. Eventually set up an appointment at the school, or attend one of our info sessions 2) Set up a financing plan 3) Apply for the EASA class 2 medical exam 4) Fill in the registration form and prepare all the required documents: a. Copy of ID/Passport b. C.V. c. Copy of Class 2 medical certificate 5) If the medical exam is successful, sign the student contract and finalize your registration 6) Proceed with the initial payment 13
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Hourly Rates Equipment Price - - (VAT excl.) Price - - (VAT incl.) Aircrafts Beechcraft 77 Skipper 99,00 119,79 Cessna 150 99,00 119,79 Cessna 172 132,00 159,72 Piper PA28 Archer 132,00 159,72 Cessna 182RG 186,00 225,06 Piper PA34 426,00 515,46 Diamond DA42 426,00 515,46 Simulators Elite FNPT II simulator 66,00 79,86 Instructors Briefing / Private Lessons 60,00 72,60 PPL (Flight) 60,00 72,60 Simulator 60,00 72,60 Night (Flight) 60,00 72,60 IR (Flight) 90,00 108,90 CPL (Flight) 90,00 108,90 ME (Flight) 90,00 108,90 FI/IRI/CRI (Flight) 90,00 108,90 Ground Courses (PPL/ATPL) 60,00 72,60 16