Stapleford
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Stapleford
I've reached the point where I need to now choose a school to complete my CPL MEIR having passed my ATPL exams.
I have a few places in mind and I'll be doing my best the visit each one in the coming weeks but in the meantime I'd be interested to hear anyone's views on the training offered at Stapleford. Any current students, ex students or anyone who has an opinion really?
I always envisaged the 14 exams being the biggest challenge, I now think that just selecting a school may be...
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
I have a few places in mind and I'll be doing my best the visit each one in the coming weeks but in the meantime I'd be interested to hear anyone's views on the training offered at Stapleford. Any current students, ex students or anyone who has an opinion really?
I always envisaged the 14 exams being the biggest challenge, I now think that just selecting a school may be...
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
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I went to Stapleford a few years ago, and now I recently passed the Ryanair assessment.
In a nutshell, Stapleford has a no nonsense atmosphere; They have some amazing instructors that will challenge and push you with every lesson, but it's up to you to prepare properly and make the most out of it! They won't hold your hand, and Colin (HoT) won't stand for bull****! They'll get you ready for your skills test in the shortest time possible, and they have a great pass rate! Pro tip, Jon is a career instructor at SFC, and a genius at teaching IR flying!
I found the location excellent for my IR; several options available to practice approaches, none too far away.
Added benefit, Stapleford owns the airfield, so you won't be paying yourself blue on landing fees!
The only "downside" I could think of is their fleet. It's a bit of a mixed bag. Some very modern glass cockpit tecnams and DA42s, combined with some beat up PA28s and C150s (all with their own cockpit). Is it a downside? I don't think so; you're being trained to fly everything, so why should it bother you? But some people only prefer to fly the latest and greatest.
For perspective: I keep in touch with my old buddies. We all got jobs at airlines now (Ryanair, BA Cityflyer, Stobart, Aer Lingus) so I'd say the training/reputation is worth its salt!
I'd recommend them at least, but I'm a biased ex student
Hope it helps! Let me know if you want any more info.
In a nutshell, Stapleford has a no nonsense atmosphere; They have some amazing instructors that will challenge and push you with every lesson, but it's up to you to prepare properly and make the most out of it! They won't hold your hand, and Colin (HoT) won't stand for bull****! They'll get you ready for your skills test in the shortest time possible, and they have a great pass rate! Pro tip, Jon is a career instructor at SFC, and a genius at teaching IR flying!
I found the location excellent for my IR; several options available to practice approaches, none too far away.
Added benefit, Stapleford owns the airfield, so you won't be paying yourself blue on landing fees!
The only "downside" I could think of is their fleet. It's a bit of a mixed bag. Some very modern glass cockpit tecnams and DA42s, combined with some beat up PA28s and C150s (all with their own cockpit). Is it a downside? I don't think so; you're being trained to fly everything, so why should it bother you? But some people only prefer to fly the latest and greatest.
For perspective: I keep in touch with my old buddies. We all got jobs at airlines now (Ryanair, BA Cityflyer, Stobart, Aer Lingus) so I'd say the training/reputation is worth its salt!
I'd recommend them at least, but I'm a biased ex student
Hope it helps! Let me know if you want any more info.
Last edited by SeventhHeaven; 13th Mar 2017 at 23:03.
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SeventhHeaven, thanks for the response, very helpful indeed.
As someone with a low tolerance for bull**** maybe Stapleford and I are a perfect match!
Actually one of the things I quite like is the fact there is a range of aircraft. The ME rating is done on a Seneca (as far as I'm aware) so more to deal with with all those extra levers and knobs and therefore added experience which I see as a positive myself. The IR is flown on the DA42 (again, as far as I'm aware) which is possibly a better platform for IR flying with its modern avionics.
I don't want to get stung by extra lessons where not needed by a flying school with pound signs in their eyes and from what you say Stapleford isn't such a place.
Once again, appreciate you taking the time to reply and congratulations on finding a flying job (however long that took!)
As someone with a low tolerance for bull**** maybe Stapleford and I are a perfect match!
Actually one of the things I quite like is the fact there is a range of aircraft. The ME rating is done on a Seneca (as far as I'm aware) so more to deal with with all those extra levers and knobs and therefore added experience which I see as a positive myself. The IR is flown on the DA42 (again, as far as I'm aware) which is possibly a better platform for IR flying with its modern avionics.
I don't want to get stung by extra lessons where not needed by a flying school with pound signs in their eyes and from what you say Stapleford isn't such a place.
Once again, appreciate you taking the time to reply and congratulations on finding a flying job (however long that took!)
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True, they generally use the seneca for the MEP and the DA42 for the IR - Though you're free to swap them around if you want It's up to you!
They're simply too busy during summer to purposely drag out your training!
Be available and prepared, and you'll breeze through your training there. I found them very helpful and accommodating. Flying is 90% attitude anyway, in my humble opinion.
It's up to you!They're simply too busy during summer to purposely drag out your training!
Be available and prepared, and you'll breeze through your training there. I found them very helpful and accommodating. Flying is 90% attitude anyway, in my humble opinion.
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I had a chat on the phone with them earlier and had a good feeling so I'll be heading down there as soon as possible to have a look round and a chat with the guys.
I'm getting the impression that where you do you CPL IR isn't as big a factor as where you do your MCC/JOC in terms of standing you in good stead for that first job.
I'm getting the impression that where you do you CPL IR isn't as big a factor as where you do your MCC/JOC in terms of standing you in good stead for that first job.
It's 20 minutes drive from Canary Wharf (there actually isn't a single traffic light between the two), but in open country. In fact the towers of Canary Wharf, and the O2, are pretty much what you line up on when on finals for 22.
