Training around Bristol (UK)

[cheechm]

So I have my PPL now and I want to continue my flight training. I'll be based in Bristol (where I'll be studying at the university) so I need to find a good school around there. I'm looking at Bristol GS for ATPL written exams, but need somewhere to start my hour building and then CPL (and potentially IR). I did my PPL in Florida, so I'm not sure where to start and what to expect.

Another potential option is going back to the States in the Summer and training there. (Or I heard some good things about Iceland?)

Any tips, links, recommendations would be appreciated.

[Gulfstreamaviator]

Sorry, not funny, but I am bored.

Bristol had one of the best schools in UK...not sure about status.

I lived in Bristol, and flew from Lulsgate for many years.

Enjoy the west country...... do not drink the rough cider...rots your guts....

[Joe86]

... Nothing wrong with a bit of Thatchers Gold :).

Areos? Spoken to them before (never trained there) but came across very well, maybe an Exeter based school?

Bristol and wessex flying clubs still at Bristol, might be worth a look.

[mike-wsm]

Did you check out Bristol University Air Squadron? Used to be based at Filton, had many happy hours in their Chipmunks as a CCF schoolboy, now at Colerne, probably with transport available.

Bristol University Air Squadron - RAF Station homepage (http://www.raf.mod.uk/bristoluas/)

[cheechm]

Would it be worth my while going back to the States and doing a FAA PPL, FAA IR and Multi IR, and then either here or there doing a JAA ME CPL (along with ATPLs in the UK)? I really enjoyed being in Florida, but would consider California / Arizona.

I guess I need to get reading CAP804 and do some research because I'm not sure about conversions (FAA IR to EASA IR). What I did find wasn't conclusive about whether the 15hr conversion route is still open.

Tips?

[mad_jock]

There are loads of threads in the wannabies section on the pro's and cons of that route.

[Morris542]

I'm doing a bit of hour building from Exeter whilst I start my ATPL ground studies (I've chosen Bristol funnily enough). The atmosphere at Exeter is good with plenty of people to talk to and the flying in that part of the world is great. It's a nice change from the congested south east where I did my PPL. Although I'm at the early stages of it all I can ask the instructors many questions on the ATPL theory and the CPL course and they've always been happy to answer.

Although you're in Bristol there is a bus from Exeter St David's station to the airport, not too expensive either - about £2.90 return if memory serves me right.

[Dan the weegie]

Airways Flight Training Exeter. Just fantastic, they'll really look after you :).

Didn't Bristol (flying school) go bust?

[magicmick]

Bristol Flight Training Centre did indeed cease training earlier this year (May I think) and they were the only school at Bristol where you could do MEP, CPL and MEIR. As already mentioned Bristol and Wessex club can sort you out with hours building, night rating and IMC if you want it but for CPL, MEP and MEIR there aren’t many options in the South West and you are really limited to Aeros Gloucester or Exeter.

[cheechm]

Thanks very much for the suggestions. I'll get doing some research!

[Joe86]

I thought as it has been a while and things have changed I would bump this thread J.

Basically I had to delay my planned PPL start date due to work and family commitments, however now (or shortly) I will finally be ready to start!

For the time being I would like to do my PPL, hour-build and have fun… and see where it progresses, so I’m not completely looking for a zero to hero course!

But what’s changed in the last few years? I went to the open day at ‘Aero’s Bristol’, which was ok, I did prefer the atmosphere at Gloucester however.

What are peoples 2015 experiences with flight schools in the southwest? For ease of getting to the training airfield, Bristol is the closest, with Exeter and Gloucester being of equal distance from my home address. But what are people’s opinions? Where did you train? Would you recommend it? Why/Why not?

Cheers
Joe