View Full Version : Welshpool Flying School
guitarwillie
1st Sep 2011, 15:06
Hi,
Just a quick question, is there still a flying school at Welshpool Airport? The website says there is, but most searches on Pprune bring up posts of it closing down. Is it still going? Anyone learnt to fly there? Experiences? Also I have 3 hours in a Piper Tomahawk, would these count towards a PPL if I did the rest of the PPL in a C150 as I believe the website says the school uses?
Cheers
Will
Sir George Cayley
1st Sep 2011, 19:50
Can't help with Welshpool aerodrome but hours in an SEP count. So PA38 or C152 are good. I use that word advisedly.
SGC
Hi
They have a thriving helicopter school at Welshpool and you can still get instruction in as you say Cessna 150s.
It is a very quiete place, beautiful countryside with access to the Welsh Mountains.
Suggest you give them a call very nice people.
Pace
madlandrover
1st Sep 2011, 21:48
Yes, Welshpool Flying School has been through a few iterations over the years with various owners but has been stable under its current ownership for a while. Lovely place and nice people (I don't work there, they're friends!), always happy to make things happen.
Starwing
23rd Feb 2014, 08:39
Welshpool flying school went bust before Christmas with the owner now believed to be living in Essex. The airport website is now looking for a new operator but, given events there over the past 2 years, I would not reccomend anyone to start a business there. I am speaking from personal experience!
There was the tragic aviation accident which killed Bob Jones. Bob very much lived,loved and breathed the place and I know his wife took over.
I have been out of the loop there for some time. It was successfully run by another operator before and used to be very busy with loads of resident students getting probably the cheapest PPL courses in the land. Back then it also had a very good maintenance unit but all that went after a dispute and Bob Took over but on a much lower scale.
It will be very sad if no one takes it on as Welshpool is one of the prettiest airfields around
pace
robin
23rd Feb 2014, 11:57
Is the airfield still open to visitors?
Lone_Ranger
23rd Feb 2014, 19:09
I dunno Pace, Iv'e been a few times and whilst the surrounding area is nice (I know it well), the airfield itself always felt sterile and unwelcoming, there is little there in the way of atmosphere.
Compare it too somewhere like Compton Abbas or halfpenny green and it just doesnt invite a visit
phiggsbroadband
23rd Feb 2014, 20:45
Do they still use the 1500ft circuit? The first time I tried that, I ended up 400ft over the runway, and had to adjust my next circuit by a lot more...
What do you think they might have changed the circuit to? There's close terrain at up to 1300 feet as I recall.
I've been very happy flying from the airfield. It is sometimes busy; often not. It's not going to have the same atmosphere or facilities as e.g. Shobdon or Sleap because it's not got that many aircraft stationed there.
I like the owners and team looking after the airfield very much, and if I wanted hangarage I wouldn't hesitate to base a plane there. I currently have a share in an aircraft there, and will be very sorry when I have to move away from the area.
The flying school has closed down but last I heard (about a month ago) there were hopes that it may be resurrected. There are still aircraft and instructors that can be used for training, and you can still learn to fly microlights there. Rather than speculating online, why not give them a call and see what the situation is currently?
Sadly Welshpool was a thriving busy place with maintenance and a very lively flight school! Air racing was regularly held there!
That came to an end after a long dispute with that operator!
Since then things went quiet ! Sad because lovely people all round and very tragic when Bob and Steve were killed!
Pace
spizmo
30th Mar 2015, 19:55
Hello,
Just found this thread - Welshpool Flying School is back up and running and has been since Summer last year. It is run by a lady called Tania now. Both my partner and I have been flying with her on numerous occasions and are in the process of training with her. She is a very good instructor and we'd both highly recommend her. She is on Top Ranks flying school here: Welshpool Flying School - Top Flying Schools In the UK (http://www.toprankflyingschools.co.uk/flying_schools/welshpool-flying-school/) and has just registered on Trip Advisor.
The airfield in general is a very welcoming place and I'm thoroughly looking forward to attending the Memorial Air Show on 14th June 2015 in remembrance of the late Bob Jones.
Hope this helps anyone thinking of training in the beautiful surroundings of Welshpool! :-)
tmmorris
30th Mar 2015, 22:56
Any refreshments available?
I learned to fly at Welshpool in 2001 and might drop in for a nostalgic visit...
bartonflyer
31st Mar 2015, 06:35
Haven't been in for quite a while. They used to do the best bacon sarnie in the country with the most delicious bacon, but last time I went it was just a coffee machine and chocolate bars on offer.
BUT as I say that was some time ago. Perhaps someone based there could update us and maybe it goes back on my sandwich tour list :)
I think it largely depends on which day you visit. There are normally cakes and sandwiches and always a good cup of tea.
neilgeddes
31st Mar 2015, 08:55
Hi. I flew into Welshpool for my first time recently, Sunday 22nd March. Lots happening there and they couldn't have been more welcoming or helpful. Avgas available self serve. The café opened just before 1pm serving a range of hot snacks. The airfield is set in a beautiful location and I will certainly return!
Whirlybird
31st Mar 2015, 08:57
Ah, Welshpool; that brings back so many memories.... I got my PPL(A) there back in 1997, although for various reasons I now don't think much of the set-up and instruction available at the time. But I got on brilliantly with Bob Jones, who took a lot of interest in me when I was learning to fly, and some time afterwards had a long discussion with me when I was thinking of running the flying school. Eventually I didn't; it was taken over by my friend Kate...and I didn't know she'd left!!! I know the people running the helicopter school too, from way back before they started it. And Jane, who used to make the bacon butties; maybe she isn't doing it any more. This thread makes me feel old...
However, these reminiscences don't help you at all with whether to fly there. Well, it's a lovely airfield, in gorgeous surroundings. 1,500 ft circuit height; has to be as the ground nearby is well over 1000 feet. Main road on short final to Runway 22 (I still remember!) which is quite a challenge for learners. Shortish runway since you have to come in quite high due to previously mentioned main road. Lots of weather due to hills. Easy to find after cross-countries; you head for the town, then follow the river, or is it the railway line; I can't remember. I struggled with flying there, but got told if I could fly at Welshpool I could fly anywhere, and that's roughly true. Probably someone will come on and say how easy-peasy it is there...but we're not all natural pilots you know! I love it. If I still lived nearby I'd go back.
Advice...go along and have a look....
800 metre runway IIRC - depends what you're flying as to whether it's a challenge I guess.
The other attraction there is the Welshpool air show. The trick - I believe - is that a lot of the acts are shared with Cosford so it's a lot better than you would expect for the size of the airfield. Lots of interesting aircraft flying in, and very family friendly with bouncy castles and remote control boats.
The truth is I wouldn't fly in for the food, but there are plenty of other good reasons (and you won't starve).
tmmorris
31st Mar 2015, 10:26
Runway now 1020m, recently extended, but declared distances in the order of 800m (LDA longer) due to obstacles.
I have to agree somewhat that if you can fly there, other places do seem easier... Good place to train therefore!
ArthurG
31st Mar 2015, 14:57
I'm training in a Eurostar (microlight) at Welshpool and I really like the place. It does have it's own brand of weather, but I hope that's going to be a useful source of experience for the future. It means I'm better at lively crosswind landings than calm weather affairs.
There is a GA school there as well, and I hope to move on to that when I've done the NPPL (M).
If you fancy grub, there is cooked food at the weekend. In addition, the airshow there last year was one of the most enjoyable and friendly I've been to.
See: Welshpool Airport - Welshpool Airport (http://www.welshpoolairport.co.uk/)
Apart from being a satisfied student, I have no other link with it, just want to encourage folks to use it.