Training Schools in Kent

[QuBall42]

Hi all who read this. Just a newbie after some experienced advice on a couple of matters (her indoors has just given me the go ahead to start spending the hard earned on something fun for a change).

1) I'm looking for some guidance about PPL flight training in Kent (anywhere around Medway/Maidstone or further afield). Any comments on friendly schools/clubs that would be worth a look at would be appreciated.

2) Is it worth looking at the NPPL and then converting (if possible??) to full PPL (A) later on. Just looking at all alternatives at the moment.

Cheers - :ok:

[OpenCirrus619]

As far as airfields go it would seem to be between Headcorn (http://www.headcornaerodrome.co.uk/) and Rochester (http://www.rochesterairport.co.uk/).

As a first step I would visit both airfields and checkout the various clubs / schools. It's better if you pop in at the same time of week as you think you will be flying - many airfields are completely different places during the week when compared to the weekends. Do remember that if you visit on a wet and rainy winter day then any airfield is not going to have a lot going on.

If you are around Headcorn then make sure you pop into the Tiger Club (http://www.tigerclub.co.uk/).

OC619

[robinpiper]

Can fully recommend weald air at Headcorn, as they have a fleet of 14 aircraft which are available to hire with choice of about 15 self-employed instructors to choose from, if you don't get on with your first choice of instructor then you can always change to another!

Millen Aviation at Rochester have some nice diesel powered Diamond DA40 may not be in your best interest to do a PPL course on them as you are going to come across carb heat & mixture at some point. http://www.millencorporation.com/MillenAviation.html

If you want I have a spare seat available most times I fly and would only be too glad to give you an introduction to light aircraft if you have never flown in one before. PM me if you have any more questions about airfields in the southeast.

Good Luck

[Arclite01]

Do some flying and decide JAR PPL or NPPL - I think I am right in saying you can decide which before 10 hours is up then go that route.

If you want to fly outside the UK then JAR, if you don't then NPPL I think.

And whatever you do - enjoy.

Arc

[007helicopter]

I agree with Robin Piper and I personally trained at Millen so can vouch for them being a good outfit.

I think the best advise is exactly as before to visit both fields and see where you feel most comfortable as you will be spending time hanging around and waiting for weather to improve etc.

Very generous offer from previous guy so grab a few hours with him, would only be polite to offer to pay for some of the fuel.


Good Luck

[KCDW]

Can only comment on Headcorn.
Weald Air Services. Nice people. Relaxed but professional. Good rates. Free internet access for weather etc. Reasonable range of aircraft - C152s, C172s, PA28s (Warriors), and DR400s.
Headcorn airfield is busy on weekends and the grass strip is fairly narrow and not too long! Personally, I think this is a plus. Better to get to to grips with this early, rather than learn on an "easy" airfield with next to no traffic, and never land away after your PPL for fear of short grass strips :} . BTW, Rochester is, if anything, more challenging.
Tiger Club. Not sure I can recommend it for beginners. The Cub, Tigers and CAP10 don't have Nav Instrumentation (other than the compass :) ). You'll have to get to grips with tailwheel straightaway (not that big a deal, but an extra hurdle). I've always seen it as the next step from PPL for those interested in tailwheel flying, biplanes and aeros. Which is precisely what I did: got my PPL at WAS, then moved on to the Tiger Club.
If you want some views on instructors - feel free to PM
Cheers