I'm currently doing my PPL at Cumbernauld. The school is very friendly, there's a good atmosphere, and the quality of instruction is good.
Although each of the three instructors is very competent, there are some differences in the techniques they teach which jarr a little if you find you can't always get booked with your "own" instructor, which does happen occasionally. There is also no structured teaching of the theoretical stuff - it's just you and Trevor Thom.
Most PPL training is carried out in the Katanas, of which they have two. These are nice, modern, attractive aircraft which are good fun to fly.
Cumbernauld airport itself is rather expensive for the facilities it has, and not all of the airport staff are particularly friendly (though some are amazingly helpful and pleasant). There is a fairly informal air/ground radio service at the airport, which is completely dominated by the fixed wing and helicopter training schools at the airport. This does make it a non-intimidating environment to learn actual flying, but it doesn't necessarily teach you good radio technique.
On balance, I'd say the flying school is pretty good. It's certainly good enough to be a no-brainer choice if you are close to the airport anyway. The instructors and management are professional and extremely competent, and they even do a pretty decent bacon butty.
[ 23 January 2002: Message edited by: Andrew Crawford ]</p>