The School's View
Hello Everyone,
This thread has brought up some issues that are important.
Costs
I have tried to make the prices quite explicit on the website. I have included under the 'learn to fly' section every cost that I can think of including CAA fees. Items like High-vis jackets, headsets and airside passes are either not necessary or are available on free loan. 1 to 1 tuition is available at £16ph (standard rate) and the Old Aero Club Style evening classes continue. Let it be noted however that tuition is free if it is part of the flying. i.e. your brief on engine failures is free if you are going to fly afterwards. We tried to keep the prices the same as the Aero Club which was not registered for VAT but of course we are (£20 VAT difference + £1.30 fuel per litre), so I hope everyone understands that this is passion for aviation not profits.
Aircraft
The Bulldog is available to use after diffences checks and is a beautiful aircraft to fly - real flying. Booking is made online. The school is a member of the bulldog group and therefore you members have access to it through the school. The has come about because of the bankrupcy of Ashton Aviation. The aircraft were in a less than pleasant state when the school bought the aircraft and set up in 2005. (The Cessna is also part owned and has had less investment because of this.) Since then the aircraft have been refurbished - see the gallery for some pics, GPSs, rear intercomms etc have been added. Many of the aircraft have had new aplostery added also. We are hoping to get G-KART back online in the Summer - completely overhauled with new engine, NEW WINGS, new panel, new seats, GPS etc.
Traffic
I would be lying if I said Newcastle is not 'busy' at times. The truth is that orbiting does happen, but you just need to time it wright. You can get more than 5 t+g's in one hour just not at the busy times, during which 2-3 touch and go's is more common due to holds.
The situation with Carlisle is as follows: Unlimited circuits for £15, if a full stop landing is made that's £15. Its roughly 40 minutes to Carlisle if you choose to go. You can go with a fellow student and share the costs if you want. Land away experience is important but don't assume that you must go to Carlisle to complete your circuits - 3 hours of the syllabus.
Times are from chocks away to shut down so do indeed include any run-holds. Because of the traffic problems there are currently peak landing fees between 10-11am (£36) which can be flown over and land at 11.05am. However next month (June) sees the introduction of peak landing fees between 3-5pm. The school has allocated flying slots to avoid these times leaving 30 minutes of inactivity from 3-3.30pm.
Instructors
See the website for names. Andy and John are our full time intructors, with the rest part time. I won't comment on them as I believe that's unprofessional. What I will say is that Newcastle Aero Club was the oldest club in the UK, and I believe that experience and club atmosphere has continued with the school. Andy has an CPL/IR FI >1000hrs, John (CFI, FE) 72 years, too many hours to count.
Fuel
There are sometimes issues with fuel availability, but these are rare, a backup supply is available and the problems are being resolved.