CPL in January

[Waypoint 11]

Has anybody done a CPL in the UK in January?

If you have how long did it take to complete (presuming it was a full time course)?

Did the weather make continuity a problem?

I am considering doing my CPL at Exeter/Bristol/Stapleford/Cabair, has anyone got first hand experience of the weather at these schools at this time of year? I will obviously be visiting the schools and asking them the same question.

As always any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[MorningGlory]

I did my Cpl in June but couldnt complete the test (nav sect') due to low cloud base!!!!

I did my IR in dec/Jan and had no problems, the wx was not bad at all actually.

So I wouldn't worry about when to do it, as this country has the potential wx to mess up at any time.

Did mine at Stapleford, very good, speak to Colin Dobney.

[airshowpilot]

I was doing my CPL at the end of last year, which soon became the beginning of 2003! I would suggest in general that the weather is likely to impact upon taking a CPL at that time of year (in the UK) and as a result training will become longer and more expensive. From a cost point of view, and if I wanted to train in the winter, you could try gaining your CPL in the USA and then take the IR back in the UK. Having said that, I feel that I am better pilot for having flown my CPL/IR throughout a British winter even if I am a little poorer!:D

[Send Clowns]

I ended up taking mine over winter. The weather certainly meant it took longer, although I was in Bournemouth which I believe has a more sunshine than any other UK airport (not that you'd know it, as I look out of my window to pouring rain!). This was not enough to cause continuity problems, just delayed my achievement.

Good Luck

[ecj]

Historically January & February are the worst months for SE flying in the UK.

Having said that, if a Siberian high was to significantly affect the UK, then you could have the most fantastic spell of flying weather.

Remember to take with you suitable clothing [survival] just in case.

[Jinkster]

Can be some good flying days in the winter months if you dont mind the cold. The frosty mornings can give excellant visibiity and no cloud.

However it could rains for days :rolleyes:

Jinkster

[cfb]

The FTO you are training with, and the number of students tends to be more important than the weather.
If you are one of a large number of students attached to one instructor (possibly all at different stages of CPL / ME / IR etc) then you will frequently miss your "slot" if the weather at your scheduled training time is not quite suitable.
Choose an FTO where the Instructor has only 2 students, and he/she will fit your flying and ground breifings around the weather with no problem. (You've done your Met, you know the speed that fronts generally go through) Add an Airport with 3 runways, where you're always into wind (or out of it if your Instructor so decides) and you should complete your CPL in 3 weeks + 1 for tests etc with no difficulty - any time of the British year.