Changing School???
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Lincolnshire, UK
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Changing School???
Hope you might be able to help.
I'm currently training for my PPL(A) with a small school and flying C152s, just 4 hours 40 minutes into the training.
A fellow member of PPRuNe has made me aware of a school based at Humberside airport where he is training. They use 4 seat PA28s and the cost works out at £2 an hour more than I currently pay. Thought it might be better to train in one of these as when I am qualified I can immediately start sharing costs 4 ways to build hours. I also think it might be better for experience to train from a bigger airfield with full air traffic control.
Could anyone let me know if it is possible to change schools after the training has started? My school has my progress folder, would I have to ask for this so I could take it to the new school, and would I just carry on from where I left off, except in a different plane? Is it likely that they will get upset if I say I want my folder in order to move schools?
If I carry on with my current school and qualify in the C152, would I have to take extra lessons before I could fly the PA28s?
Finally, how does membership generally work? I have not been charged for membership yet by my current school, if I change schools is it likely that they will want me to settle up for the time I have been with them so far, and then have to pay membership with another school. It seems a bit of a con having to pay membership when already paying quite steep prices for training.
Cheers.
I'm currently training for my PPL(A) with a small school and flying C152s, just 4 hours 40 minutes into the training.
A fellow member of PPRuNe has made me aware of a school based at Humberside airport where he is training. They use 4 seat PA28s and the cost works out at £2 an hour more than I currently pay. Thought it might be better to train in one of these as when I am qualified I can immediately start sharing costs 4 ways to build hours. I also think it might be better for experience to train from a bigger airfield with full air traffic control.
Could anyone let me know if it is possible to change schools after the training has started? My school has my progress folder, would I have to ask for this so I could take it to the new school, and would I just carry on from where I left off, except in a different plane? Is it likely that they will get upset if I say I want my folder in order to move schools?
If I carry on with my current school and qualify in the C152, would I have to take extra lessons before I could fly the PA28s?
Finally, how does membership generally work? I have not been charged for membership yet by my current school, if I change schools is it likely that they will want me to settle up for the time I have been with them so far, and then have to pay membership with another school. It seems a bit of a con having to pay membership when already paying quite steep prices for training.
Cheers.
Join Date: May 2001
Location: United Kingdom
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Yes, but it's Humberside.......Only Joking!...(Sort of).
It really depends on how happy you are with your present school.It shouldn't be a big deal to convert after you've trained on the 152,and they are good trainers.Why don't you just ask the school what their policy is,as schools do differ.Also,with regard changing schools,find out how they charge eg block time,airborne or other (Eg airborne +10 mins) bigger airports can be good for excitement/experience but you can hold,either on the ground or in the air,longer.Having said that,Humberside isn't that busy.
The most important thing by far...check the reputation and reccommendations of the school,I would strongly suggest re posting in the Private Flying Forum.
It is no problem changing schools from a logistical point of view or CAA etc,not sure you even need your student notes,just be careful you don't go from frying pan to fire,or frying pan to bonfire!
Good Luck!
It really depends on how happy you are with your present school.It shouldn't be a big deal to convert after you've trained on the 152,and they are good trainers.Why don't you just ask the school what their policy is,as schools do differ.Also,with regard changing schools,find out how they charge eg block time,airborne or other (Eg airborne +10 mins) bigger airports can be good for excitement/experience but you can hold,either on the ground or in the air,longer.Having said that,Humberside isn't that busy.
The most important thing by far...check the reputation and reccommendations of the school,I would strongly suggest re posting in the Private Flying Forum.
It is no problem changing schools from a logistical point of view or CAA etc,not sure you even need your student notes,just be careful you don't go from frying pan to fire,or frying pan to bonfire!
Good Luck!
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: UK
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Yes - You can change schools.
As advised make a decision based on all the facts (particularly rapport with instructor and school reputation, not simply cost). Cheap/ better value doesn't always mean better.
Current school will have to keep your original notes with them (CAA inspection), but should photocopy them and then send them direct to your new school. Most places tend to not pass notes or copies to the student in case stude tries to amend them (particularly relevant if stude as had a major incident!). In the event you'd taken any theory exams they should also forward details of passes and provide you with a ppl application form witht he relevant theory exams signed off.
If you move schools and existing one won't play ball, new one should make contact (ideally in writing) requesting notes on your behalf. If they still refuse contact the CAA. A good school would also normally provide a brief covering note to go with your records.
Try to keep any decision amicable, afterall its a small industry. Not a plank driver so can't advise re the different types.
First flight with new school will more then likely cover new aircraft famil. If you perform to a standard consistent with your experience continuing from where you left off shoudl not be an issue, you can complete a certain number of hours on a different type so long as the overall required figures are met and all exercises are signed off as complete.
Apologies for spelling and punctuation, but its been a very long few days. Not that I'm complaining
As advised make a decision based on all the facts (particularly rapport with instructor and school reputation, not simply cost). Cheap/ better value doesn't always mean better.
Current school will have to keep your original notes with them (CAA inspection), but should photocopy them and then send them direct to your new school. Most places tend to not pass notes or copies to the student in case stude tries to amend them (particularly relevant if stude as had a major incident!). In the event you'd taken any theory exams they should also forward details of passes and provide you with a ppl application form witht he relevant theory exams signed off.
If you move schools and existing one won't play ball, new one should make contact (ideally in writing) requesting notes on your behalf. If they still refuse contact the CAA. A good school would also normally provide a brief covering note to go with your records.
Try to keep any decision amicable, afterall its a small industry. Not a plank driver so can't advise re the different types.
First flight with new school will more then likely cover new aircraft famil. If you perform to a standard consistent with your experience continuing from where you left off shoudl not be an issue, you can complete a certain number of hours on a different type so long as the overall required figures are met and all exercises are signed off as complete.
Apologies for spelling and punctuation, but its been a very long few days. Not that I'm complaining
The Original Whirly
Join Date: Feb 1999
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Thought it might be better to train in one of these as when I am qualified I can immediately start sharing costs 4 ways to build hours. I also think it might be better for experience to train from a bigger airfield with full air traffic control.
Cost sharing. In my experience, friends want to come flying with you and pay their share...once! Most people run out of cost sharing friends very quickly. Unless you know this will work in your case, don't assume it will. What often DOES work is cost sharing with another PPL, and swopping the flying and nav/radio. And a two-seater aircraft is fine for this.
ATC etc. In my experience, those who learn at a big airport are better with coping with the radio, while those who learn at a small one are good at making their own decisions, fitting into circuit patterns sensibly etc. But it all comes out in the wash! Either school will take you to one of the other sort for practice, and you can easily fly to other airfields to practice after you get your PPL - it's not a big deal.
Conversion from a C152 to PA28 once you've got your PPL is not a big deal - probably a couple of hours training.
So change school by all means, but base your decision on the quality of training, rapport with your instructor, and general convenience of the airfield for you, not things that probably don't matter that much.
