Having just spent a few days at Fly-in-Spain, I thought it would help to share my experiences. I'd read much good about the school on various forums and then, after booking, read these negative comments above. My experience was somewhat different.
I visited to complete some refresher training and complete a Licence Proficiency Check. My communications were all through email, apart from when faxing over details of my credit card for a deposit. Communication was indeed intermittent but everything was organised when I arrived: the office has a computerised booking system for each aircraft and instructor.
The school itself reminds me of flying clubs I've seen around the world - a little bit rundown, but everything that you'd need (including free wireless internet). Contrary to what's said above, there are no problems getting hold of NOTAMs, weather etc. with two computers put aside for this. Ideally there'd be a separate briefing room, but with wonderful warm weather outside there's plenty of space for private conversation.
It's true that the owner is not an instructor but it's best to see Brian Mellor's business and the school as one and the same - he is in effect CFI, overseeing the team of instructors. There are three or four fixed wing instructors, all of whom speak fluent English. I spent my time with a straight-down-the-line chap from Sheffield who provided a high standard of instruction and soon had me in shape for my LPC.
The aircraft aren't the newest, but they are well maintained, have fairly new engines and any problems are fixed as and when required. For example we experienced a transponder problem on one flight, to the chagrin of ACT, and it had been replaced by the following morning.
Jerez is a fantastic location in which to fly - good weather (although some challenging winds at times), great visibility, plenty of open space in which to fly, supportive ATC, a variety of traffic plus some interesting local fields at which to bash out a few circuits. I enjoyed flying here more than on most if not all of my flights in the UK (my original training was in New Zealand).
As for the money, well, I've not really worked it out by hour. It's not as cheap as flying in the US, but it's no more expensive than flying at a club in the UK with the added benefit of generally very good weather. Yes, I was a little daunted about handing over several hundred Euros through credit card on trust (although the point of using a credit card is that you can always get the bank to resolve any problems with breach of contract), but put yourself in Fly-in-Spain's shoes - what if someone books a series of slots and then never arrives? That's lost revenue to them. The same with the E2,500 deposit. It's on a credit card coupon and will only be used if you cause damage to the aircraft.
That said, I did meet someone on a bodegas tour who'd flown there last Autumn and not only found the flying a little dull, but also ended up with FIS trying to charge him twice. That was an administrative error rather than a conspiracy, but reflects how there is an air of mild disorganisation at the club. Your luck may vary.
My advice is to take everyone's comments, including my own, with a pinch of salt and consider the context in which they're made. Don't expect to go down there in 21 days and get a PPL - this isn't Florida, the standard of instruction is probably a good deal higher in Jerez. And don't go down after having trained intermittently over a long period of time and expect to be a brilliant pilot in moments. But in my brief time there I saw two students pass their skills tests with Brian, who's a true gentlemen and a pleasure to fly with.
As for me? Well, having not flown in almost a year, I was as rusty as I expected but still managed to renew my licence for another couple of years after some hard work. And if I hadn't passed my LPC, I wouldn't change my opinion of Fly-in-Spain.
I'm happy to answer any questions you may have, probably best to send me a PM as I don't often read these threads.