What's the latest news for Cranfield schools?

[MrAverage]

Did all but one have to leave?

[Boyndiebowler]

Which one is left?

[MrAverage]

Actually I read somewhere at least three were still operating as of two days ago.......

[Danny boy]

Any up to date news referance the flights schools at Cranfield ? 😳

[Genghis the Engineer]

Billins (one C172, one AA5) and Azure (two PA28s, two syndicate AA5s, possibly a DA42) are still operating as of today; neither seems about to leave, although both will inevitably be shifting office shortly and Azure have temporarily lost their accomodation so are taking advantage of the generosity of Billins in the short term for a nominal base of operations.

Aeros have, I believe, gone.

I have no current knowledge about CFS or FlyCB.

G

[Ampage]

CFS are still in business and probably have the largest fleet of training aircraft.

4x C152 (two of which aerobat), 2x C172, 1x PA28 Warrior, 2x PA28 Arrow, 1x PA44 Seminole. - I think most of these are currently airworthy.

They now also do helicopter training in a Schweizer 300CBi.

As of this month (Jan 2015) they are charing a yearly membership fee even for 'alumni' members (ie those that did their PPL there). I think this will generate less revenue than they suspect as people will be more inclined to look elsewhere.

They come across as a small flight school trying to mix it up with the big boys. For a while they were not far off but now I'm of the opinion they simply don't have the brand, the aircraft or the customers to compete. - Still a friendly bunch and fun to fly with though which is all I'm bothered about at the moment. As long as costs don't continue to creep up.