Flying in Spain - Aerodynamics Malaga

[Captain Punishment]

Hi all, I am in the south of Spain for a few days at the end of this month and have been trying to contact a well know flying school closest to where I am staying in Marbella, which is Aerodynamics - Malaga.

I have made many attempts to email them with my intentions of hiring an aircraft for a day trip to Morocco with some friends etc, but have not had one reply. I have tried a link from their website and also duplicated these emails to [email protected], both in English and Spanish.

I was wondering if anyone has had any dealings with these guys at all, or if anyone knows of a more sucessful way of arranging such a flight in the area?

Fly-in-spain has been replying to me, but they are based in Jerez which is a 2 hour trip before I even stepo in an aircraft. Malaga is the area in which I want to depart etc.

I was also wanting to look at their facilites to see what they have to offer with a view of doing my ME/IR there at a later date.

[BHenderson]

I'm sure if you mention the ME/IR bit they might be more enthusiastic!

Bobby

[Captain Punishment]

I have dangled that little carrot about the ME/IR earlier today... Just have to wait and see if I get a bite this time!!!

[F900EX]

Not sure if you rent aircraft often... I am just guessing but I can imagine a little reluctance on the part of any FTO to let an aircraft go off on a trip to another country with someone unknown to them prior to that point.

Many of these FTO's are very busy and in little need of ad hoc day trip rentals.

A little relationship building may be appropriate, have you undertaken this trip to Morroco before ? If so then you should advise them of this fact. If not I would respectfully suggest that you seek their guidance and one of their instructors to assist you. This will raise their confidence in your ability & judgement and in turn grease the wheels for future trips to rent their machines.

Good luck !

[172driver]

I know them well and can tell you they are BUSY ! That said, it's very unusual for them not to answer an email, try calling on 952-041-740.

Other than that I'll have to echo F900EX's comment - you will need a checkout, for insurance purposes alone and, depending how far into Morocco you intend to go, some very thorough briefing / flight planning.

What Aerodynamics provide, however, is a safety pilot who flies with you (FOC, IIRC) and knows the ropes in Morocco. This also eliminates the checkout as far as I know.

HTH

[BritishPPL]

They are a friendly bunch and I agree with F900EX and C172driver's comments.

Do a PPruNE "advanced search" and you'll find more info on them. However, to start, here's my review of them with some photos from February 2006:

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=210835

[Captain Punishment]

Thanks guys, without actually copying and pasting the whole email that I sent, I just fed you a brief gist of what my plans were. I have my own aircraft so don't hire much. It is in for a star annual around the timer I go, plus I'm only there for 3 days and if I flew her there by the time I got there it'd be time to come back again.

I have copied the email sent to them below, as you can see I had already done all that you suggest in terms of safety pilot and asking there advise on places to visit.

This trip was to be a 'relationship' forger for when I do my MR/IR and the possibility of using a club in Spain to base myself for some serious hour building in Europe and Africa.

Hi I am a British PPL with IMC / night rating and wish to hire an aircraft while I'm on holiday for a weekend in Puerto Banus between 21st and 24th June.

I would like hire a fly a Piper Warrior if possible, or a C172 on Friday 22n June and maybe fly to Morocco for lunch or anywhere to a nice airfield for lunch with some friends. I will be very open to suggestions for great places to go.

Do I need to be a member? What check will be involved if I fly on my own? I do see from your website that you supply safety pilots free of charge which may be a good idea for local knowledge etc and I'll do the flying.

How far away from Puerto Banus are you so I can plan travel arrangements etc?

Thank you for your time.

[Captain Punishment]

BritishPPL, I had already sniffed out your review of flying in Spain some days ago. I found it very informative and useful etc. I too just want a short trip of a couple of hours each way and a bit of sight seeing in the area. I thought of seeing a bit of Spanish coastline and nipping down to Tanger for lunch before returning - Nothing major, just a taster for future trips etc...

Thanks again.

Jay.

[172driver]

CP if that's what you want to do, then suggest you don't go into Tanger (a hellhole), but get a cab from the airport to the Caves of Hercules. This is a tiny seaside village around said caves and I've had the best grilled sardines of my life there !!

[Captain Punishment]

172Driver, this is the sort of knowledge I'm after. This will be my first trip to morocco so don't relly know what to expect. I'm sure if I take a safety pilot he won't mind taking a taxi to the caves if I buy him a nice big lunch for his services!

I've heard Fes is supposed to be a nice and interesting place, but is a bit further away, but it still maybe an option...

I'm back in Morocco at the end of July / August, in the Marrakech area so will be researching about doing dome flying there at this time also. Been trying to find local flying schools around here but it seems that they still use messanger pigeons and not much web presence to speak of.

[172driver]

Haven't got time now, but do a search, I've posted repeatedly re Morocco. If you can't find anything, PM me nearer the time. Enjoy!