PPL Hire in Essex
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Billericay
Age: 36
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PPL Hire in Essex
Hi everyone. I would appreciate any advice anyone can offer me on this.
I passed my PPL A skills test in 2012 and have been enjoying flying in a family friend's 172 since. I now no longer have access to the 172 and need to hire from elsewhere.
I now live approximately the same distance from two airfields which offer PPL hire (Stapleford and Andrewsfield). I would like to hear people's experiences of these and any suggestions of which one might be best for me to get my hours up with the intention of training for a CPL.
Thank you
James.
I passed my PPL A skills test in 2012 and have been enjoying flying in a family friend's 172 since. I now no longer have access to the 172 and need to hire from elsewhere.
I now live approximately the same distance from two airfields which offer PPL hire (Stapleford and Andrewsfield). I would like to hear people's experiences of these and any suggestions of which one might be best for me to get my hours up with the intention of training for a CPL.
Thank you
James.
I fly from Andrewsfield, it's a well run and friendly place; I don't use the club machines having a share in a Cub which lives there.
They have a group of experienced instructors both career and retired airline types and seem to me to offer a high standard of training all the way through F.I. and CPL. The rental fleet is a reasonable size with Cessnas and Pipers on the fleet, and with only one training establishment on the airfield delays getting onto the runway are few.
The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, more so than Stapleford, wander along to both and see how you feel it might be that you feel happier at Stapleford.
They have a group of experienced instructors both career and retired airline types and seem to me to offer a high standard of training all the way through F.I. and CPL. The rental fleet is a reasonable size with Cessnas and Pipers on the fleet, and with only one training establishment on the airfield delays getting onto the runway are few.
The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, more so than Stapleford, wander along to both and see how you feel it might be that you feel happier at Stapleford.
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: UK - North Weald (EGSX) & Southend (EGMC)
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I know you specifically asked about those 2 airfields ... but you might also want to consider North Weald...
I fly out of North Weald as part of an equity group in an arrow, but there is a good, active club on the airfield...
North Weald Flying Group
The North Weald Flying Group has three c172s, a c150 and a Piper Archer II which are all well maintained and in good condition.
Fuel at North Weald is very competitively priced (last I checked, cheapest in Essex), which keeps the club hire prices down.
If you want to get involved in Fly-ins and Fly-outs these are run on a reasonably regular basis.
The atmosphere at The Squadron on the airfied is warm and friendly and has a good cafe (always a plus!).
The airfield is quite active with a variety of aircraft based there so you will often find yourself in the circuit with all sorts of aircraft from a Hurricane, Spitfire, Mustang to Jet Provosts and Gnats.
As 4Screwaircrew said.. best thing to do is visit a few airfields and see which one you warm to....
I fly out of North Weald as part of an equity group in an arrow, but there is a good, active club on the airfield...
North Weald Flying Group
The North Weald Flying Group has three c172s, a c150 and a Piper Archer II which are all well maintained and in good condition.
Fuel at North Weald is very competitively priced (last I checked, cheapest in Essex), which keeps the club hire prices down.
If you want to get involved in Fly-ins and Fly-outs these are run on a reasonably regular basis.
The atmosphere at The Squadron on the airfied is warm and friendly and has a good cafe (always a plus!).
The airfield is quite active with a variety of aircraft based there so you will often find yourself in the circuit with all sorts of aircraft from a Hurricane, Spitfire, Mustang to Jet Provosts and Gnats.
As 4Screwaircrew said.. best thing to do is visit a few airfields and see which one you warm to....
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Billericay
Age: 36
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you for the replies, I went to Stapleford yesterday and although it seemed like a thriving airfield, it did seem very much a cold business. I haven't been to Andrewsfield yet, but have heard good things.
As for the North Weald suggestion, I have flown in there several times but I didn't realise that they had club aircraft to hire. I like the idea of North Weald as it has a hard runway and therefore won't be shut for weeks after heavy rain.
Decisions decisions.
As for the North Weald suggestion, I have flown in there several times but I didn't realise that they had club aircraft to hire. I like the idea of North Weald as it has a hard runway and therefore won't be shut for weeks after heavy rain.
Decisions decisions.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another vote for North Weald Flying Group, I became a member just after getting my PPL and found the planes always well maintained with good availability. I think they currently have 5 x 172's, an Archer and a C150 most of which have just been resprayed. As already said the Squadron is a nice place to hang out watching some of the more interesting planes that are based there.
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: England
Age: 35
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I went to Stapleford yesterday and although it seemed like a thriving airfield, it did seem very much a cold business
Another vote for North Weald Flying Group
There's the monthly membership as well to consider so the value for money depends slightly on how often you fly. However, even considering the membership fee you'll be hard pressed to find better hire rates.
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: South-East, United Kingdom
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If it was a choice between Andrewsfield and Stapelford, I'd go for Andrewsfield. I have only been there a few times but it just has a nice 'club' feel about it, and has highly rated instructors from what I have heard from other people. Stapleford is probably very good for the CPL / IR cadets, but the reception staff (not any individual instructor mind you), are a little unwelcoming in my experience. It depends on what kind of scene you like and what facilities, training or aircraft you need.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Billericay
Age: 36
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PPL Hire in Essex
Thank you for all the advice. I visited Andrewsfield today and feel it is a much friendlier environment than Stapleford. I have booked my check flight and will be a member as of next Monday.
North Weald looked like a good option until I saw that they wanted £60 per month for insurance, maintenance etc. Thank you for the suggestion none the less.
Happy Flying
James.
North Weald looked like a good option until I saw that they wanted £60 per month for insurance, maintenance etc. Thank you for the suggestion none the less.
Happy Flying
James.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: EGSX
Age: 56
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
True, NW charge £65 a month, however the aircraft are £30 p/h cheaper.... plus thats tacho hours so you can usually get 1.1 : 1, improving the price even more.
Fly 2 hours a month and you're ahead.
Fly 2 hours a month and you're ahead.
