PPL in BigginHill ... Another newbee :)

[flightranger]

Firstly! What a great forum for like minded people. There is nothing like an opportunity to build and share experiences with people who are as passionate about flying or if not even more… it’s like sitting with mates who just love the same things in life!!
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I am hoping to engage some interest from flyers in the Biggin Hill area! I have been looking around and researching on schools in the area and before I sign up I was hoping some of you may be able to share your thought and experiences and help me with making the right choice. I am planning on completing my PPL over the next 6 months and then progress with my CPL (possibly abroad). I have read extensively about Cabair & EFG school of flying, if any you’ll are or have been with these schools it would be really great if you could please share some thoughts on your experiences.
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Thank you….

[john ball]

I think you will get a very good and Personal service from Surrey and Kent flying club at Biggin -- it is through the second barrier on the left by Jet aviation. Speak to Roger Patterson. This is a very old esablished club with instructors that instruct for a living -- not hours builders waiting to go to an airline. I did not learn there but wish I had, as in the 70's they had Beagle Pups. I learnt on Rallyes at Air Touring who have now gone. I still do my bi-annual at Surrey's with Roger.

[flyingman-of-kent]

I started off at Surrey and Kent, and found them to be fine till I ran out of money, but it is a club with a school. A couple of years later and more money I then finished at Kingair (part of Cabair and now incorporated into Biggin Hill School of Flying) Cabair is a flying school, not a club and it depends what you feel will suit you at the time.

I do not know much about EFG, sorry.

There is also Alouette Flying Club which has 2 x C172 and a number of highly experienced instructors (including 1 who taught me at Surrey and Kent 15 years ago, who is now on 747's for Virgin when not teaching at Alouette!), nice atmosphere and nice people. It is located right round the back near where Air Touring were, best call up first as the club is not staffed all the time.

My advice for learning to fly is as follows:

Choose the nearest airport (you will be visiting a lot, at least a few times a week and travel time can mount up) with proper busy ATC so you learn the radio and are not scared of bigger airports

Choose a school / club depending on how you feel you get on with the people when you visit all of them! Go round and chat to them, talk to instructors and possibly some other students. If you think that a wise old bird will teach you better than a 150 hour PPL/IMC and CPL who is learning the next step themselves then choose that route. Cabair is essentially a conveyor belt for the airlines so the instructor is only there for his/her course of 2 years experience building. Don't get me wrong, I learnt from a brilliant guy at Cabair who was more than capable and skilled to teach me, he had been there about 3 months and he took me through to IMC level, but is now off flying 757's!

Cabair are expensive, the clubs considerably cheaper but Cabair have better access to different aircraft especially after you get your PPL.

Another thought for helping you learn is to "buddy up" with another student of roughly equal flying experience and on the same time-scale as you - see if your instructor will do three up lessons - you both then get the experience of watching the other through some of the lessons. This is certainly how I did the IMC, it may not be so appropriate for the PPL though, at least not the early stages.

Good luck, and enjoy yourself a PPL!

[basil faulty]

Surrey and Kent Great, I know many people who have been members and Instructors there right from the 1960's to today. I learnt there. Friendly club atmosphere with good mix of people.

[jollyrog]

The advice re. Surrey and Kent is sound, it has a good reputation. You won't go wrong there.

Also have a look at Headcorn. It's not so far to travel and will probably work out a bit cheaper.

[silverelise]

Bear in mind it can get quite busy at Biggin, particularly at weekends. It's quite frustrating being sat the hold burning lesson time (and money) because you are number 4 in the queue with another couple on final, or being told you can't do circuits because the circuit is full.

Try and do midweek lessons if you can, or learn somewhere quieter.

[flightranger]

Hi Jollyrog,

Thanks for the advice earlier... have you completed your PPL? where did you do it from?

I think I am going to go ahead with Surrey and Kent flying club, called them this morning to books a slot for Saturday :cool:

[flightranger]

Hi,

Do you know if the Surrey and Kent flying club offer payments in installments rather than a one of sum amount?

Thanks...

[basil faulty]

Looks like you will find out in the morning! Carl will be on reception he is a good chap and knows everything you need to know at this stage. Even if the weather is no good still go and have a look around, sit in the plane and talk to the instructors and the other club members , I am supposed to be positioning a plane from the hanger next door, if you ask about the fat ezy pilot they will point you in my direction! What time are you arriving?

[jollyrog]

Flightranger,

I did my PPL at Headcorn and I now fly from Biggin Hill in a group aeroplane.

If you are happy with what you find at S&K and can afford the costs they propose, I don't see any reason to change. Everyone I've spoken to says that S&K is a fine place.

I was very happy with the instruction I received at Headcorn and can recommend instructors if you decide that S&K isn't for you.

[Papa Mike Mike]

I trained there about five yrs ago, then you paid as you go generally in £1k installments, im sure they still operate this today.

[flightranger]

Hi Papa Mike Mike,

What was your experience at the club, instructors & learning/teaching?

:bored:

[G-BIOM]

How is all at biggin , i remember carl , i was taxying in france for the hold and was bombarded with bodys waving me down , ended up taking them all back to biggin lucky i was in G-BTAR Where i had just dropped off 3 french girls . i wonder how gary is doing an ex instructor there , wev met out in florida i spent more in the evenings than on the flying . hope your all well hello roger .. slim