South/West London airfields - Reccommendations?

[stuartpearson]

I'm mid-way through my PPL at Stapleford in Essex where I currently live, but will shortly be moving to SW London (Richmond/Putney area) so am looking for an airfield to the west or south of London that's a bit easier to get to to continue my training.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks,

Stuart

[owenlars]

Fairoaks is the closest to Putney approx 35 minutes. Denham and Biggin next closest approx 45 minutes depending on the M40 or traffic in Croydon. Redhill and Wycombe would be about equal next at about an hour.

As far as training goes I suggest you go and talk to them all. I learned at Biggin, and have had planes at Fairoaks and Wycombe all three of those have excellent schools.

[Alan Moore]

I live in Richmond and am training at Blackbushe. From Richmond it's a quick drive down the M3 (35 minutes on a good day).

Two schools there - Cabair and Blackbushe Aviation. I'm personally with Blackbushe Aviation and I'm very happy with how things are working out there.

-Alan

[FNG]

White Walham, easily accessible from M25/M4, is expensive, but has six runways, and a very good club atmosphere, with a good clubhouse and decent food. I only know the aerobatic instructors there, but the main school is said to be quite good (with, by the way, a higher than average number of women instructors).

[CPilotUK]

I live in northwest London and train at West London Aero Club White Waltham and echo everything FNG said.

but the main school is said to be quite good (with, by the way, a higher than average number of women instructors).

If you are a male, please do not let this put you off. I am a male also and have nothing but praise for my female instructor. In my opinion she is simply the best.

[AerBabe]

If you are a male, please do not let this put you off. Sorry... have I missed something? Could you please explain why female instructors would put anyone off?! :confused:

(Please, no smutty comments) :p

[CPilotUK]

Sorry... have I missed something?

AerBabe,

You quoted half of what I said which explains the reason you are confused. :p

I would rather not give an explanation here as it will detract from the main purpose of the thread. But then again, do I need to give an explanation?

Start a new thread in Jet Blast or PM me if you wish. ;)

[FNG]

I'm am bit confused also, AB. I mentioned the number of women instructors as a positive thing: a sign of developing equal opportunities in professional flying.

[CPilotUK]

I mentioned the number of women instructors as a positive thing: a sign of developing equal opportunities in professional flying.

FNG,

I'm sure that I said, I echoed EVERYTHING you said. Did you read that? I know that you meant it as a positive thing.

What I said was more to do with the reaction of my non-flying friends and peers who were surprised that my instructor was female. Some of my male friends are adamant that they would only be taught by a male.

[Pistol Pete]

Hi there

I live in West London and fly at Denham. I fly from the Pilot Centre but there is also a Cabair there.

No complaints but then again I am hardly objective ;) You've been flying before so check them all out. One will click for you in particular.

Brgds

Pete

[FNG]

CPilot, I wasn't intending a dig at you. I agree with you that anyone who judges an instructor by reference to anything other than instructing ability is a pillock.

[stuartpearson]

Great, thanks for the suggestions all, I'll go and visit some of them soon, although I'll of course steer clear of any with too many female instructors. My god, next they'll be allowed on the roads.

(;))

[AerBabe]

Well, they let men drive, so anything could happen....

[Whirlygig]

I don't think AB missed the point; neither did I as it was confirmed later.

Some of my male friends are adamant that they would only be taught by a male.

Why? This is what we didn't understand. I would have thought that most blokes would have been tripping over themselves to be taught by a woman. Still sexist but the other way round !;)

Cheers

Whirlygig

Back to the original question - Stuart, would it be totally impractical for you to continue at Stapleford? Changing school might not be the best for your training. Perhaps do your lessons in blocks and stay with a friend?

[Chilli Monster]

Whirlygig's right - continuity of training can be far more important during the PPL (or any training for that matter) depending on how far you've progressed. If you're happy with where you are at the moment I'd bite the bullet and do the travelling.