Dirtbag Flight Schools...

[pilot_guy]

Saw the thread about the school in Chi town and inspired me to talk about my experience while I was training. This place was run by a Norwegian national who preyed on foreign students, until his 141 ticket got yanked. He even did time for swapping engines from a plane and selling it without telling the buyers (because the airplane crashed, no casualties though.) I enrolled because it was "supposedly" 141 at the time. I even signed a contracting saying I was enrolling in a 141 program, only to find out later he was able to provide the training.

We couldn't even stop at two or three airports in West Texas because he owed the FBOs for fuel. I finally left because his 310 used for multi "disappeared" one night and never returned (taken by the owner for non payment on the lease.)

One of those things instances that if I only would've known... When I approached the FAA with my evidence (copy of contract, and his website showing he was still advertising Part 141 training, even after I left.) they acted like it wasn't a big deal. Only my attorney, on pain of lawsuit for deceptive trade practices here in Texas, forced him to return the balance of my tuition.

Anyone out there go to U.S. Flight Academy in Big Spring, Texas? Otherwise known as Jarle Boe's Flying Circus?

I doubt many Americans have attended (I was the only American dumba$$ there the whole time I was there.) but just thought I'd put it out there and see if anyone wants to talk about the "bad ol' days".

If you wanna take a look, check out www.usflightacademy.org Don't let the website fool ya. I did. Live an' learn though. In hindsight, I wish I would've known about these boards, or even knew a pilot or two that I could ask. I guess that's why I try to talk to people I meet interested in training, to give them the insight I missed. We all should I imagine, to avoid dirtbags that seem so prevalent in this industry.

 

[Vik]

There are tons of bad schools out there.

I was lucky. I went to Sunrise Aviation at John Wayne Airport (SNA). Never regretted spending a dime there and the training was great.

 

[FlyFastLiveSlow]

I just looked at the website and the "aircraft" the "academy" has. Is this guy joking?????

 

[wrxpilot]

I just looked at the website and the "aircraft" the "academy" has. Is this guy joking?????

Yeah, you have to kind of wonder when they can't even resize a photo properly. Bizarre website in general... Wannabe USAF or something!

 

[pilot_guy]

yeah...it's a sh!thole.

When I was there, almost four years ago, neither of the 150s were airworthy. The yellow one was disassembled in a hangar, and I was told by the owner that it was because the mechanic quit during the middle of an overhaul. Another source said it had caught fire. The second 150 has major corrosion in the gearboxes inside the fuselage. Also has seats in it from a 206, which really screws up your view.

The 140 still has the old aluminum starter wire, hence it doesn't turn over well, especially when cold. (Did I mention I learned how to handprop airplanes while there? Even while alone, just set the prop at the compression stroke, and the brakes, mags on and crank.) It flew well, but the spinner is gone too, but hey, you can inspect the safety wires on the prop bolts as part of preflight! ADF is out, but it was stable, and I got my instrument rating in it.

310 is a real POS. Has a nice paintjob to hide the bondo in the nose due to it getting smashed when the nosegear wouldn't extend. Heat doesn't work, and the bare minimum of avionics to qualify as IFR certified. Half the time, you can't get the left engine started, because the starter doesn't engage.

Paper 100 hours all around, and possibly annuals too. (wasn't there for one of those.)

The 152 was the best out of the bunch, except for paint, but ran like crap on the Texaco gas we bought outside the airport and brought in with big red gascans (Nope, he didn't even pay his fuel bill on his own airport.)

Hey, I thought we all started out flying junk, right? When I came back to Houston, and found nice, clean airplanes, or atleast airplanes that didn't look like they were used for forward observing, I was shocked.

I learned alot of info about what to do/not to do, got some funny beer drinking stories (which weren't funny at the time) and I didn't die, so I guess I can call it a "learning experience".

 

[euroboy]

Wow

I was there in ’98, I didn’t think this place would still be going………



I managed to get most of my money back, which was good

I did feel sorry for the (mostly foreign when I was there) students though

The thing I couldn’t work out though, is whether the boss is just inept or just plain crooked – he seemed nice enough though

With hindsight - it was a valuable learning experience


PG where do you fly in Houston?

 

[pilot_guy]

He's not inept...he's a sociopath. Likes to make people feel "sorry" for him, etc., but in reality, he knows what he's doing. Some people believe he's sending the money back home to Norway, with plans to eventually close up shop here and go home.

This isn't the first time he's pulled this...

I fly out of a few different airports in Houston...Mainly EFD and LVJ.

You said "boss". You aren't the Norwegian instructor he had on staff at one time, are you? I ask because I heard about you from one of the other students. (All good things.)

It seems most of his students are Indian, African, or Middle Eastern, with little idea what to expect here in the U.S., and he takes them for all they have. Drains their pockets, and then sends them home. He normally doesn't finish them up.

I have a very interesting news article about him, how he trained one of the hijackers. It's in Swedish though, so posting it here would do no good.

Anyway, glad to hear you got most of your money back. I got all of mine back, and from what I've heard from other pilots in the area, it was an accomplishment.

Where are you flying now?

 

[euroboy]

I was just trying to be tactful

No I wasn't an instructor, I was a student - when I could learn!

You are spot on about the foreign students though, it really is sad
What I find as amazing as this guy's operation, is the fact that he's allowed to continue by all the agencies involved, FAA, INS etc and even his debtors!!!!!!!!

I'm really not supprised the school was (unwittingly) involved in training a hijacker, it seems like the ideal place

As far as getting the money goes, I think the trick is to stand up to him, he doesn't exprect it!!! - I guess that's how you got yours

On a lighter note,
I've flown out of SGR and I'm re-locating there soon (from the UK) do you instruct around there?

 

[rumpletumbler]

Check out the oil slick under this 150 Somebody call the EPA, GreenPeace, Roberto Redford, etc.

http://www.usflightacademy.org/images/c150_ext-05.jpg

 

[pilot_guy]

yeah, I got a lawyer involved, as well as calling the FAA and my local congressional office, who then leaned on the FAA.

I've flown into SGR a few times, but that's on the southwest side. EFD and LVJ are down on the southeast side.

I used to fly with a British guy while at USFA who worked as a ship captain. He took training with Boe, and happened to come back while I was there, just to fly/instruct for a month or so. He was a good guy, and hated Boe too.

You know I was looking at his site, and he "claims" to be in partners with the local community college. That's just scary.