sk, I too am on the Aviation degree at leeds uni but had completed my PPL before starting the course. This means I had no ties with Leeds Flying School until now. I have recently completed my IMC there and it was conducted in minimum time with the help of 2 different instructors. The outfit is no "looker" it is actually what looks like a converted mobile home with no wheels!! But don't let this put you off. It was originally what made me go and fly with another outfit close by because they had glossy brochures and big BBJ's to look at. However the available aircraft (singular!!) was a joke and in no way mentioning names but the staff were, on occasions, not just unfriendly but rude.
I am also intersted in my IR soon and wanted to get a feel for it with the IMC. With this in mind alot of the course was taught like an IR as you would expect and John Forsyth has a way of getting material to stick. Here are some of the good, bads and ugly's.
Good
--> Dylan - operations manager. Always current with information, keeps boards and slots in check and maintains a smooth operation. Never was I double booked or bumped for someone else.
--> John Denson - CPL, instructor I beleive (check website though to be sure). I originaly started my course with him but he had to go away and ensured the new instructor was fully briefed on where we left off so no waisted money/time.
--> John Forsyth - IMC instructor with an IR(although lapsed me thinks). This made all the difference because he actually new what he was talking about when it came to progressing onto further topics, outside the scope of the IMC. Questions you will probaly be asking like me.
--> Tony Denson - I think he is the owner although not completely sure. Either way he is a key player in the set-up and is Johns' Dad. He was also my examiner. I didn't spend much time with him, only for the exam, but he does teach at my university and from an academic point of view is a very sound guy. Again no problems here with Tony
All in all the staff are really friendly and make you feel welcomed. The team are a close knit unit, quite literally family and I think have got it right
Bad
--> The portacabin is located off of the airfield and is a bit of a nightmare when you turn up for a brief then have to hop in the car to get the aircraft ect. Nothing major just a wee inconvienience.
--> Having to pay the exact fee for an hour in the sim as you would for the real thing. I was alowed to log the hour but it is still a jagged pill to swallow when you just paid the wrong side of a hundred quid for a fancy game of flight sim with no monitor. This I beleive is standard though.
[B]Ugly/B]
--> The portacabin!!!!!!!
--> Coney Park - where it is situated
Be under no illusion about the quality of training and facilities though on first impressions. It is where many people have been left at the wayside and gone elsewhere only to be sh@t on by a glossy outfit.
I hope this gives you a bit more insight from a customers point of view. I will certainly be doing my CPL there when I get through these bloody ATPL's. Although I've spent some time writing this it should in no way be taken as gospal. I have tried to be as fair as I can and there is obviously an eliment of bias. Nothing I write should stop going you down to Coney Park and having a cuppa with one of the guys and disscussing everything from the course to life and cars and such!!!!!! Hope it works out for 'ya.
Chow for now
THE Reverand
