Aberdeen, Scottish Air Training

[Ricardus]

Hi Guys,

I'm hoping this is the best place to get some advice, from those in the best position to answer a query I have.

I started my PPL a number of years ago, but had to give it up for multiple reasons. I'm now planning on starting my flight training again, towards a PPL, night and instrument ratings, then perhaps beyond. But I've got a problem...

I live in Aberdeenshire, and I've been researching where to go to invest my time and money in quality tuition. The problem is, I haven't got a clue whats going on with Aberdeen Flying Club, plus I hear rumours about another local club opening up. Whats going on around here???

Can someone please tell me where they would recommend I go? I'd rather not have to travel to another part of the country to get quality tuition, so the nearer the better. I'm not interested in politics, I just want to learn to fly and participate in a local GA community.

Any advice or recommendations would very much be appreciated,

Many thanks,

Ricardus

[Ricardus]

Thanks for your reply. Yes I was using the term, as that was what it was about 10 years ago when I was last flying in Aberdeen. Just goes to show how much has changed eh? After posting, I discovered the other threads and so got brought up to speed, so to speak.

Could someone please provide me information, maybe a phone number or web address for Grampian Flying Club? Sounds spot on.

Many thanks

[youngskywalker]

Hi there, Aberdeen does still have an active flying 'club', we regularly hold social events and only last week we had an excellent turn out for the Christmas party. The Flying 'School' has changed hands many numebr of times over the last ten years. Grampian Flying School is now the sole PPL training provider, not the cheapest in the country but very good quality aircraft and excellent part time instructors who all fly for local airlines and instruct for fun. We have a few local examiners and several part time instructors. At present Grampian operate PA28 Warriors for training and I think perhaps a C172 at some stage in the future.

Aberdeen is now a very busy airport to learn to fly at and at times can be frustrating with holding times, but on a plus side the experience of learning here will make you confident to fly anywhere when qualified. Also bear in mind the landing fee's which have to be paid for each touch and go and this does make things a little more expensive.

Every one I know who has wanted to be a professional Pilot, and has learned to fly at Aberdeen has succeeded in flying for an Airline.

My only connection with Grampian flying school is now a social one and an occasional renter of the PA28.

You can look at the website for more info, follow the link for the flying club: www.grampianairways.com I'm not sure of the phone number but the best way would be to turn up and have a chat and coffee with the members and instructors that pop in during the day to socialise.

If you need any more info feel free to PM me.

In the interests of fairness I also recommend Tayside at Dundee or Highland at Inverness, both excellent flying schools.

[Ricardus]

Thanks for that, I checked out the url and am very happy Aberdeen still has flight training facilities. I'll definately be heading out for one of the weekend social visits.

I aim to hit my PPL head on in the first quarter of 2007. Flying is a rather expensive taste, but one which I'm willing to pay for. In the end, I'd rather pay more to fly locally than have to travel to some exotic location far from home, mainly due to other life responsibilities.

Thanks for the information!

[mad_jock]

Thats the first time I have heard Dundee described as exotic.

[MIKECR]

In your shoes I would probably do PPL overseas and then perhaps look to join a local syndicate group at Dyce or Insch. To train for PPL at ABZ will cost you an absolute arm and a leg. The landing fee's are ridiculous and once you start doing half a dozen circuits per hour, your speaking wods of cash! I was in a local 172 group there for a while and the costs were significantly less than paying for the flying club rates. I was probaly doing 3 - 4 hours a month at probably half the cost of the flying club. There's also the Moray Club which is proably as cheap as it gets, just a bit of a hike to get there unfortunately.

I can give you 1 or 2 contact details if your interested in joining some of the ABZ syndicates. You'll probably need your PPL 1st but one of the groups is fairly flexible, theyre an excellent group in fact. PM me if you want the details

[llanfairpg]

Sorry to go slightly off thread but when i was in Aberdeen in the 70s a flying club started at Bannf I think it was Bill Flett who was in charge, whatever happened to that?

There was also a small flying club at Fordoun.

Its a shame flying is so expensive in Aberdeen is that because BAA own the airfield

[MIKECR]

Sorry to go slightly off thread but when i was in Aberdeen in the 70s a flying club started at Bannf I think it was Bill Flett who was in charge, whatever happened to that?

There was also a small flying club at Fordoun.

Its a shame flying is so expensive in Aberdeen is that because BAA own the airfield

My father was one of the founder members of the Banff club at Boyndie, which was formed around 1976, sadly it has long since passed away. They operated a 150 aerobat, I cant quite remember the reg but it I believe it ended up somewhere in deepest Englandshire and was retired from service some 10 years ago. The airfield is now home to a karting track or smething like that, a shame really. Peter Forbes, who was an instructor at the Dyce Club(Pegasus at that time) used to do some instructing for the Banff club, not sure where he is now, if he's still alive??

There's lots of interesting history to Boyndie Airfield, home to the famous Mosquito and the Banff Flying Wing of Coastal Command. I've read some great books about it all, not forgetting the famous Sir Max Aitken of course.

[youngskywalker]

Peter Forbes passed away a few years ago now.

Although I agree flying and training at ABZ is expensive it would be a shame for GA if they were forced out altogether, it would be nice if some people could try and support what is left rather than constantly critisize and suggest for potential new students to go elsewhere. Lot's of people are trying very hard to re-build the club/school after Flight Academy Scotland destroyed it. I for one was very glad to have a local school to learn at all those years ago, even if other places were maybe a little cheaper, for some people travelling to another city or country is simply not practical. If the club/school dissapears eventually, because nobody supports it then we all suffer, the groups as well. We must all try and stick together and strive to keep the costs down.

[Khaosai]

Hi,

Boyndie airfield is home to the Grampian Kart Club and a fairly recent wind farm. The aerodrome has been in poor condition for many years now which is a real shame.

Good to see a flying club still operate out of Aberdeen. I was pretty keen to do an hour or two recently but the price put me off to be honest.

Rgds.

[llanfairpg]

Mike slight correction ABERDEEN AERO CLUB started the first flying training at Bannf, I know i was the CFI and the instructor detailed to position a C150 up there every weekend. Peter Forbes was not popular there at the time, or even at Aberdeen actually!

Sad to hear it it paked up,

As a matter of interest while approaching to land one day with a student at 300ft, Sandy Bruce flew UNDERNEATH me and landed ahead in a Grumman Traveller---exciting times!!!!

[Chippyfan]

Out of interest when were you there - I flew there in the 70's and have many memories of Bill and Mabel Hanton (sadly passed away), 'Young' Bill (Where is he now) landing the 150 at Buckie Farm and loads of other characters! I flew as a passenger a few times to various farms in the Banff, Boyndie and Achnagatt areas - great fun! Other instructors included Price, Isterling, Groves and it was a very busy school! Ahh! Happy Memories but sad to realise how old I actually am! :hmm:

[3PARA]

"Young Bill" Hanton is head honcho at BMI Regional & Martin Isterling (can't be too many Isterlings in this part of the world) is poling a do 328 for city star having retired from BA :ok:

[llanfairpg]

I rememeber them all, you missed Roger Tribe CFI--lot of illegal flying took place there so not so many happy memories behind the scenes

[Chippyfan]

Good to hear they are still flying high - yes forgot about Roger - lots and lots of happy memories and fun times!

[Khaosai]

Hi llanfairpg,

have seen some of Sandy Bruce's cine film footage of him flying around in the Grumman at Banff....interesting !.

I am sure he would be interested to know who you are, so send me a private message if possible.

Rgds.

[llanfairpg]

Give my regrds to sandy he will know who i am i reported it to the CAA as an airmiss!