My girlfriend will be going to Houston 2-3 times on business during 2005 and is wanting to do her PPL there.

Could anyone recommend a flying school near Houston that offers JAA training?

Would anyone know if it would be possible to take the intensive 3-4 weeks course but split it over 3-4 months (the plan is that she will fly with me during the interim months to keep her hand in).

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Greetings CBG. There are several flying schools at Hooks airport (KDWH), such as American Flyer, High Tech Aviation to mention a few, and I will check into if they offer JAA flight training. There are also a few flight schools down by Hobby airport (KHOU), to mention Fletcher Aviation for one, but I'm not familiar with this airport. Send an e-mail to my work address; djohns01@<hidden> or call me if you want (office 713-324-3602 or mobile 832-332-3602) and give me your contact information.

Dag

Many thanks for your post Dag. I'll email you straight away.

Chris

You may also want to check out Weiser Airpark which is about 8 miles up 290 to the NW of Houston. There was a place called Ray's Flight Training from which I did some rental's a few years ago. Last time I was there, it looked as if they were no more, but I spoke to some guys from Windsock who now oocupy the premises and they were really helpful. Next time I return to Houston, I am going to fly from there.

http://www.flywindsock.com/

CBG,

I was in Houston a couple of times last year, and have flown out of both Weiser (off of 290) and Hooks Memorial (North on 45 then east).

I flew with United Flight training out of Hooks, which are a Cessna Training Centre, very professional school atmosphere with lost of instructors and aeroplanes but also very busy - you will need to book in advance, no chance of just turning up for a flight and I cant say there was any incentive to just hang out on the off chance. All Cessna fleet, well equiped, some new aeroplanes available for a premium. Hooks is a very busy aerodrome with two parrallel runways and ATC, can be fun on final with a Learjet cruising past to the other runway....

I flew with Windsock Aviation out of Weiser, they have a mix of aeroplanes including a Citabria, which is the reason I flew with them. Totally different atmosphere from United, much more relaxed and club-like, I was positively encouraged to turn up and hang out to bull$hit/drink coffee/watch aeroplanes even if I didnt want to fly. Weiser is a smaller aerodrome with one runway and no ATC.

I felt that the quality of instruction was very good at both places, and hence standards I was expeccted to attain were also high at both places - but they were like chalk and cheese in atmosphere and set-up. Personally I prefered the Windsock way, but then Im now used to the French way of life......I guess it depends what you want when you are out there.

Whatever you do decide, I can recommend a visit to Galveston Island to visit the Lone Star Flight museum, either by flying in or by car.....

Regards, SD..

many thanks to all for the very useful information.

We are on the case!

I rented a Mooney M10C out of Andrau Field some years ago, err 11 - if it is still there it is v convenient as it is just off Westheimer.

Methinks that the city will have eaten up the real estate by now.


Stik

Sorry Stik,

Im 95 percent sure that Andrau is closed, and has been for years.

But there is an aerodrome about twice as far away down Westhiemer called......... Westheimer!! Cant say Ive been there though....

Regards, SD..

Yep and Houston Gulf (nee Spaceland) is in the process of being ploughed up (probably has been by now) enroute to being covered by a new sub division. Sigh :{ :{