Best /Worst FTU Website

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 2:41 pm

These days, a lot of people shop for an FTU on the 'net. So, the quality of a FTU's website counts for a lot. A bad one is likely to drive you away. A good one may convince you to give it a try.

What are the best and worst that you've seen? And why is it bad or good?

(NB: we're judging the quality of the website here, not the quality of the school!)

Airtids · Post by **Airtids** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 4:30 pm

Man, glad you asked that. We're going through a complete re-vamp of our website, and I'd be interested to hear others thought on what works and what doesn't. For reference, take a look at ours:http://www.highalpineair.com/.

Please, feel free to rip it apart, as long as it's constructive criticism, I can take it. The goal here is to help us have the BEST website out there. Thanks.

Personally, I like some of the things we've got going on there. Too many links on the first page, but the photos are good, and all the information is there. Pretty easy to get around in, but the color scheme's gotta go.

No dissing the rugged, spectacular looks of the guy in tho top left corner, though: Offside!!

Pilot_adam · Post by **Pilot_adam** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 5:09 pm

Man. Get red of the Frames.. They make the page look so ugly (sorry but you said you will take it).
End users use different screen resolutions’ settings; you can always use the table system in MS Front Page or even Dream waver.

Are you designing the web site or is somebody else designing it for you??

I used to build websites for a living before I decided that everybody and his dog are doing it and I should do something else If I wanted to move ahead.

Try to build a website that is
1- Easy to navigate
2- It will be best if you used a template for the whole website (build it or buy it if you don’t have time, It may cost as low as 1.99 $ for the template).
3- On your home page do your best to attract the viewer to what you have different (promotions or discounted introductory flights, etc).
4- Update it regularly (Set time and date every week to update the website).

There is more to it but that is all I can say since each case is different.

If you need any further help/suggestion let me know.

Cheers
Adam

Airtids · Post by **Airtids** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 6:37 pm

Oh, yeah!! I can take it. That's exactly the stuff I'm looking for!

The site was initially done by someone else, and my wife has been maintaining it ever since, so the frames have worked because they're easy for Mrs Airtids to work with.

Current revamp is being done professionally. Need input, have next to no knowledge.

ski_bum · Post by **ski_bum** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 7:43 pm

I gotta say, http://www.harvsair.com , is one of the nicest sites I have seen for an FTU.

Airtids, I just got one made up for my ski association, it turned out sweet, nice layout, easy to get around, take a gander. http://www.mbfreestyle.com

AirCon · Post by **AirCon** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 8:59 pm

Hey A.T.

Actually, I'm going the opposite of Pilot Adam. Frames are fine the way you have it set up....everything on the menu is "right there" and doesn't have that obnoxious "flicker" after you click a link when everything including the menu is on one page. Accessing from your present menu is quick and it "frames" the info you want to see. As always try and keep the "weight" of the site down by using smaller images. The standard "blue" color could be exchanged for something a little more subtle....other than that, navigating from your left menu is quick from the frames...

A

200hr Wonder · Post by **200hr Wonder** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:22 pm

OK so I took a look at just about every page of your website. Here is some background about me. I am not a designer; though I can often times do an OK page. I am however an IT geek that is big on human interface design and making things work for the user.

First off the site does have a little bit of a dated looked, not that it is bad but the overall design is a bit 1999.

To bring it up into 2006, here is what I would do some of the following:

Use a centralized CSS sheet. I notice that some pages have CSS and some do not. If you use one you get the advantage of getting standardized fonts across the entire page.
I am not a fan of frames, though this day in age they seem to work ok.
White space seems to be a bit of an issue a little extra white space would take care of the claustrophobia that I feel on the site.
I find the static background that does not move to be bit distracting, and more so seeing as it is not on every page
I would make all the page headers and titles actual text to make them easier to search via google and the like. At very least you would want to set an alternate text.
I like the CFIs Message on the front page that makes return visits really good.
The opening of new windows when on the same site is not a good thing
The news could also be moved to the front page to make new content easily accessible
I would not use the default HTML table settings because they are very 1991.
Check your links because there are quite a few 404s and some pictures not found.
For overall look and feel I would find something that you like and copy the overall look and feel tweaking it.
In terms of usability, the simplicity of the site helps keep the site very accessible to every web browser so do not loose that
I currently rate the rate the site about 6 to 7 out of ten for look and feel and an 8 or 9 for content.
It is useful to students and prospective students, though the organization could be improved to make it a little more so.

If you have any more questions need some specific help or anything else feel free to PM me.

200hr Wonder · Post by **200hr Wonder** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:23 pm

I like the look and feel of harvs website, though it is a bit cluttered for the front page.

Justwannafly · Post by **Justwannafly** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 12:10 am

I agree with most of what 200hour said....though I don't like Harvs new site...Don't get me wrong it LOOKS great..but it's clutter'd & hard to navigate....that being said...as far as FTU websites go...its one of the better ones out there....

...bad Aviation websites is a pet peeve of mine...though I will agree that in the last few years they have definitly been getting better

mculshaw · Post by **mculshaw** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 7:04 am

I also agree that Harv's Air website is a bit overwhelming at first.
Alot of information on the first page.

Checkout our FTU's website: http://www.flybfc.com

Apache64_ · Post by **Apache64_** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 7:51 am

Must say I like Juan Air's website. It is pretty flashy, but probably not very good for dial up customers.

cheers

apache

Brewguy · Post by **Brewguy** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 9:55 am

1. Use CSS
> Not using one in this day and age is just lazyness or incompetence on the part of the web designer.

2. Write clean, compliant code!!!
> At a minimum your site should be HTML 4.01 compliant ... better yet, write it in XHTML 1.0
*"transitional" is fine ("strict" is unnecessary), and isn't too hard to convert a compliant HTML document over.

3. If you use frames, also have a no-frames version too.
> The code for both types go into the same html file. There is a line of code you put near the top of the file that tells any browser that doesn't support frames to look further down for the non-frames version.

4. Design for the standards
> Make sure every page (HTML, XHTML or XML) is compliant by running it through a validator: W3C Markup Validation Service .... and do the same for your CSS: W3C CSS Validation Service

For some ideas on good web design, visit WebMonkey ... they have some excellent articles and tutorials on the subject.

p.s. For the love of god - don't use (or allow your designer to use) MS Front Page! The code for your pages will be bloated, non-standards-compliant; and access to your website may be restrictive for those using any browser other than IE ... not to mention that your host will have to install FrontPage extensions on their server.

skywatcher · Post by **skywatcher** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:25 am

This one is the best one I have seen!
http://www.gft.ca

Check it out!

Cheers

Airtids · Post by **Airtids** » Wed May 31, 2006 10:07 pm

OK, New one went live today, what do you think? This is still the draft version, so we've got time to make changes.

http://www.highalpineair.com

Just for reference, here's the old one:

http://www.highalpineair.com/oldsite

Go Guns · Post by **Go Guns** » Wed May 31, 2006 10:40 pm

Groovy

Blakey · Post by **Blakey** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 12:24 am

Airtids wrote:OK, New one went live today, what do you think? This is still the draft version, so we've got time to make changes.

http://www.highalpineair.com

Airtids - Great looking website! I'm wondering about one point of the content though; you use the term "Supervised Solo" in your Advanced Float Training section. I assume that this is only applicable after the compulsory 5 real solo take-offs and landings right? Even then, if I take this training with you, how much PIC will I be able to log on floats? If the student is the PIC, then the insurance company is usually happier if there's nobody else on board, if the Instructor is the PIC, then it's illegal for the student to log it as PIC as well. I'm having trouble seeing how this is not Dual time!

TC Guy · Post by **TC Guy** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 12:47 am

Blakey wrote:
Airtids wrote:OK, New one went live today, what do you think? This is still the draft version, so we've got time to make changes.

http://www.highalpineair.com
Airtids - Great looking website! I'm wondering about one point of the content though; you use the term "Supervised Solo" in your Advanced Float Training section. I assume that this is only applicable after the compulsory 5 real solo take-offs and landings right? Even then, if I take this training with you, how much PIC will I be able to log on floats? If the student is the PIC, then the insurance company is usually happier if there's nobody else on board, if the Instructor is the PIC, then it's illegal for the student to log it as PIC as well. I'm having trouble seeing how this is not Dual time!

Good question...

There *should* be some guidance comming from TC on this exact situation in the next little while. There was a TATC case that asked some hard questions.

I will try and give some information as it comes.

-Guy

hazatude · Post by **hazatude** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 3:25 am

http://www.conclave.ru/

wannabatp · Post by **wannabatp** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 4:27 am

Airtids wrote:OK, New one went live today, what do you think? This is still the draft version, so we've got time to make changes.

http://www.highalpineair.com

Just for reference, here's the old one:

http://www.highalpineair.com/oldsite

Nice looking website, but under Charter & Rentals -Rental Rates, I couldn't find any rental rates, but found a bunch of verbiage and some TC currency rules. I'm a little less confused about the types of aircraft you operate, but only a little. How about a fleet page with rate info there?

How many instructors do you have? Do you have a separate division with it's own pilots for charter work? How about a page with staff mugs on them? If not, then how about sticking your mug somewhere where we can see it?

One other observation. The way the menu is laid out right now (top left to bottom right) might suggest an aircraft descending, landing, or worse. Maybe change the shape of the picture so your menu reads "UP" instead of "down"? Or just keep it straight and level.

Just suggestions, you get what you pay for!

Cheers!

edited for the subliminally insane.

corporate joe · Post by **corporate joe** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 5:13 am

http://www.grondair.qc.ca

Cool intro, rather original.

Airtids · Post by **Airtids** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:23 am

Thanks. Time for some clarification because the site is still being 'massaged'.

Blakey: Supervised solo has the instructor riding along a safety pilot in order to keep the insurance company happy. Student logs PIC when flying as PIC, Dual when actually undergoing instruction. For example, on the flight to the coast for the 25 and 50 hr programs, the student is PIC because there is no actual training going on. When you get to our spots out there and the training mode kicks back in, the dual column gets filled in again. The solo T/O and landings are SOLO!! The float program actually comprises three possibilities: BASIC 7 hour, ADVANCED 25 hour, and PROFESSIONAL 50 hour. All taught by 3500floats Otter/Turbo/Beaver Pilot, former CP of coastal operations, yadda yadda.

Wannabeatp: Web developer didn't have the rates, i sent them to him yesterday. There will be a link to a fleet page with all applicable information. In progress.

Under about us, we are putting up short bios/photos about the staff. to answer your question, though, there are four of us, fifth will arrive on Monday. All charter pilots are instructors as well. We are a flight school, no prima donnas here- everyone does everything. The benefit is obviously that we avoid the (legit) criticism that the instructors don't actually do the job they are teaching, BIG advantage IMHO.

The issue about the shape of the window should be brought up with Cessna- it's supposed to reflect the view from the back seat while on a scenic flight. Interesting take, though. perhaps i could get the guy to put the links on the bottom, and have them scroll up, I'll see.

What do you all think a site like this is worth, including the interactive map feature which is not yet operational?

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:37 am

deletec

Degrassi · Post by **Degrassi** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 3:21 pm

I would have to say that http://www.abbotsfordflight.com is probably one of the worst site for an FTU.. i hear they have ONE very good instructor though...

corporate joe · Post by **corporate joe** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 4:11 pm

I think this is a FTU website but even if it isn't, for the young ones out there it's still good stuff to work with.

http://www.professionalpilot.ca/ifr_course/index.htm

Apache64_ · Post by **Apache64_** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 5:15 pm

Love the new site, Airtids. Makes me want to come fly with you again. Hope everything is going well with the Kootenays and you. Cant wait to be able to come back to the area.

Cheers

Apache

Best /Worst FTU Website

Best /Worst FTU Website

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