Recommended PPL schools at Biggin?

[humphreypaul]

Hi

Looking to (finally) start training for my PPL at Biggin Hill or Redhill - fewer schools than there used to be, but any recommendations for a newbie?

Thanks

Paul

[jollyrog]

Good schools at both airports, but Cubair at Redhill is cheapest with landing fees significantly less.

Biggin Hill - c.£10 for a touch and go
Redhill - £3.50

Think about it, when you have 10 lessons of circuits with 6 circuits per lesson.

[Lukesdad]

Had you considered Headcorn?

No charge for touch and go or landing whilst under tuition.

[FirstOfficer]

Greetings,

I heard good things about Alouette Flying Club based at Biggin Hill and I have a colleague that did his PPL with them and currently rents their aircraft.

I can comment about Cubair based at Redhill Aerodrome as I am doing my PPL with them.

Their fleet consist of Katanas, DA20 A1 a PA28 and they also have access to a DA40 and a Slingsby firefly for aerobatics and a Cub for tailwheel.

I am very happy with them, the instructors are very professional and knowledgeable, it is a flying club feeling, with monthly breakfast fly outs and pub meetings.

[flyingman-of-kent]

It is a shame but the choice of flying school / club is now limited at Biggin Hill. It is now a choice of EFT, Surrey and Kent and Allouette. I think that they all offer a good service, have been around a long time and would be good to learn at.

I learnt at Biggin, and I would say that you should choose the nearest airport to you that has the training organisation and planes that will suit you best. A few quid here or there when you are going to be spending thousands is neither there nor there, but the hours travelling to and from, up to four or five times a week (maybe more, maybe less - depends on your commitment and timescales) will soon add up to more of a pain than the landing fees.

Also, consider what type of flying you want to do after your PPL - Biggin offers you full ATC service, with good access to Thames RAdar etc. so you soon learn how to do this properly and will not then be scared of any other ATC. If you learn somewhere with air/ground, then you try to fly into a very busy controlled environment like Norwich or even Amesterdam (I dont know if you still can land there in a single but you could a few years ago - great fun apart from the expense!) you will quickly flounder and struggle. Think of it like learning to drive in central London, you will never be scared to drive anywhere afterwards!

Also, think about what planes they have that you can move onto after you get your PPL - yes train in a cheapie trainer, but you will probably want to get into something a bit nicer such as the PA28 etc. once you qualify. If the club / school you train at has a nice aircraft progression then you wont have as much hassle transitioning later, as you can probably get your familiar instructor who knows your abilities to check you out and help you up the hill!

I hope you do manage to get your PPL, and have a great time doing it and once you pass. Good luck!

[Frightened nose gear]

Try the tiger club at Headcorn. You will learn to fly with the some of the best out there and as previously stated t and gs are at no extra cost .Glynn the instructor is dedicated and very friendly.They are £140 an hour all in you may get cheaper but i would be suprised if you got better.In fact compared to Shoreham Redhill and Biggin its an incredible deal and your learning on a classic taildragger at a famous club.

[marioair]

Would recommend Terry Gordon at Alouette's, Biggin Hill.