Uncle Festa Moorabbin (YMMB) would be closest to you but I wouldn't rule out Essendon (YMEN).

It really depends on what you want to achieve. Do you want to go commercial or just private?

I personally did all my training at YMEN and loved being in controlled airspace and hated having to fly into a GAAP aerodrome (YMMB). However I have heard the same from friends that have trained over at General Flying Services at YMMB. They hate controlled airspace!

Your choice, remember you pay them!

Uncle Festa, really have a good look around before committing to any school, and give the smaller ones a go as well.

I personally did my training at quite a large "sausage factory" school and found that behind the facade of slick PR, the gold bars and flashy office with big posters of 747s, etc, I was just a number.

And unless you want to get into instructing down the track, I would avoid the schools that do the mass instructor courses as well, or you'll end up with quite inexperienced guys/gals teaching you.

A while ago I had a sniff around Moorabbin vaguely thinking of doing a PPL(A). Didn't let any of the schools know I am ATPL(H) and used to be an instructor. Responses:

* 3 schools took my details and promised to send me info, but never did.

* 2 schools both the instructors I spoke to were noticeably young and spoke to me with that subtle kind of "I've got 500 hours and I know it all" arrogance - probably without even knowing it!

* 2 schools, although busy (and I know as an instructor it can be hard to have time for student enquiries) still had some time for my questions and treated me with professionalism and respect and gave me sufficient but concise printed information to take away with me.

No prizes to guess which schools I would choose eh!

I ended up doing a TIF with one of them and found the instructor to be excellent - patient, relaxed and easy going, professional with good CRM and with enough experience to not have to show me or tell me he had enough experience.

My tips to attract students:

* Never judge a book by its cover
* Never bag the opposition, sell your strengths instead
* Have experienced instructors that are patient and personable
* Spend some time to chat with the person making the enquiry, they've taken the trouble to come down there!

Obviously in addition to clean well maintained aircraft, clean office, hangar and well presented staff, good coffee etc etc!

Make sure you have a knowledgeable person manning the phone or booking sheet. Does not necessarily have to be an instructor but must know the nuts and bolts of how to go about getting started with your flying,How much it costs,applications and medicals and the like without scaring them off. Have found this to be a good interface for enquiries without being intimidating. Oh yeh AND GOOD COFFEE

Flying school with good coffee:eek: :eek:
There's an oxymoron if I've ever heard one:D

Thank you all for your input - it is much appreciated.

Flying schools and coffee may well be oxymoronic but as somebody who has travelled frequently on our major carriers in recent times, airlines and coffee strike me as the definintion of "oxymoron". :)

Sounds fantastic for prospective students but how does a jnr instructor become experienced if people only want to fly with experienced instructors?:eek:

I have seen jnr instructors wanting to help customers out more then experienced grade 1's. Just because they might not have much "flying" experience they are still of great benefit to the aviation community.

Instructors are all different.

Experience should not be the only bench mark!

Uncle Festa. Suggest you have a look at Crest Flying School at Essendon. Very friendly quiet little flying school and the CFI or his good wife makes you a cup of coffee personally as soon as you walk through the door. Nice touch. Several experienced instructors.

The best way to attract students
 

Uncle Festa, see my input under " Which school?" Computer skills aren't very high on my list of can dos - I did mean to post that reply under this topic. Always on the lookout for staff members with excellent IT skills!

Centaurus couldn't agree more!

The Crest flying school is the nicest at YMEN and one of the cheapest too! :eek:

Quality comes along way before price which is a very welcome change in the aviation environment.

Small school but very professional.

Nothing to lose but so much to gain!