CAE Burgess Hill
 

Looks like I'll be in Burgess Hill for a 3,5 week initial.

Looks like this place is deserted.

Any suggestions for suitable hotels and proper food (maybe not eat fish&chips every day...) and other things to do apart from heavy studies , and also, is it a good idea to have a car available?

Anybody have some experience with lodging in Brighton and driving the 10 miles?

I did a 4 week initial in BH and chose to live in the Thistle Brigton, which is acceptable and surrounded by lots of good food choices.

Did not like (over)paying for the in-hotel parking, so I bougt a 1-month card at a nearby multi-story and saved a few bob.

The drive to CAE from the center of Brighton never took more than 25 minutes, no isue really.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for that! I've been warned by a UK colleague that the drive is a nightmare in&out of Brighton. Good to hear the opposite!

I was an instructor at CAE Burgess Hill until 2010. I lived in Brighton and never had a traffic problem getting to the training centre.

Why the UK or Europe?? Why not get trained in the USA? The instructors are better and more experienced in most cases, Less BS, a lot of the ATO are JAA/Easa approved and cheaper all round. I would never go to Europe again to be trained.

Having trained the same type at CAE in Burgess Hill, Morristown and Dubai, I fail to see a clear advantage to any of the 3 locations.

bit of a different story with FSI, where I would avoid the European training facilities if possible... But that is a company issue more than a cultural one.

Also try Crawley. I did 6 weeks Airbus initial, and stayed in Ibis Gatwick hotel.

The Best Western Birch Hotel
 

The Best Western Birch Hotel in Haywards Heath is ok, lots of bars and restaurants nearby and hotel had deal with CEA and supplied a cab to and from Burgess Hill which if i remember was about 15 minute drive.

Stay in Brighton! I have stayed in Crawley and it's dead. Burgess Hill itself is even worse.

Brighton at least you will be able to relax and have a decent dinner in the evening. The drive is no real problem - they even have a live traffic screen in the reception area at CAE to keep an eye in the traffic. Enjoy the free cookies on day 1 - it's all downhill from there :}

I'm on an initial currently at CAE Dubai - I would say the centre, hotel and general location so far is better than previous initials I have had at CAE Amsterdam or FSI Farnborough (although I've not got to the Sim yet).

BH Accomodation
 

Try the Little Turrets B&B. I used it. Descent hotel quality rooms with a shared kitchen area to make your own food. Walking distance if CAE, just across the road. Ideal for type rating study.

MM

I can second the Little Turrets B&B.

Brighton traffic
 

I live near Brighton. The traffic situation is about what you'd expect. It depends on the timing. The worst I ever see is trying to re-enter Brighton at peak times, ie early evening when the commuters flow back and sometimes on summer weekends when it can get pretty bad. OTOH there's more than one route from Burgess Hill to Brighton even if the A23 is the fastest most direct route. As for food and entertainment Brighton is London-by-sea compared to Burgess Hill.

I highly recommend the "four seasons guesthouse". Modern, clean and the owners are fun. I walked to the training center daily and usually caught a lift back with others who had a hire car. The walk was a good start to the day. Plenty of choice for food and drink in burgess hill if study is your main objective. You can always catch a train to Brighton or London on your days off.

Best of luck