Microlight Instructor course
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Microlight Instructor course
Does anybody know anywhere in the UK that actually run 3 axis microlight instructor courses? Everywhere I have tried either are not planning to run any or only do flex wing ones.
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Shadow FLight Centre at Old Sarum - Fiona Luckhurst.
A well respected, likeable and talented pilot, instructor and examiner. You should consider her seriously...She is strict but with a heart of gold.
A well respected, likeable and talented pilot, instructor and examiner. You should consider her seriously...She is strict but with a heart of gold.
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I've been told....
Fiona Luckhurst at Old Sarum (Shadow)
Ray Everett at Chirk (Thruster)
Paul Dewhurst at Sywell (AX2000 or Eurostar)
John Teesdale at Rufforth (don't know what aircraft he uses)
And that's it, according to my informant. Good luck!
Fiona Luckhurst at Old Sarum (Shadow)
Ray Everett at Chirk (Thruster)
Paul Dewhurst at Sywell (AX2000 or Eurostar)
John Teesdale at Rufforth (don't know what aircraft he uses)
And that's it, according to my informant. Good luck!
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I tried to book a course at Sywell and was told that:
"It was a 40hr course and VERY difficult" and that I should reconsider!!
I managed to plod my way through 14 ATPL exams a CPL/IR and an Instructor course as well as limp through 2000hrs of flying so was hoping I might be OK as a ML Instructor as well. Apparantly not....
"It was a 40hr course and VERY difficult" and that I should reconsider!!
I managed to plod my way through 14 ATPL exams a CPL/IR and an Instructor course as well as limp through 2000hrs of flying so was hoping I might be OK as a ML Instructor as well. Apparantly not....
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Thanks for the pointers everybody.
The problem is that Sywell don't know if they are going to run any courses this year, Old Sarum definitely aren't until the end of the year, Rufforth don't respond, the web site is off and all the e mails bounce, Popham have no plans to run any at all, etc etc.
I get the impression that these courses are so time consuming for the operators that nobody really wants to do them. As there are only about 8 rated course providers in total and some of them are only rated to do flex wing, the options are very limited.
Were it not for the fact that I am too long in the tooth to face the CPL exams for what is just a hobby for me, I would go the JAR route for either fw or rotary or both.
The problem is that Sywell don't know if they are going to run any courses this year, Old Sarum definitely aren't until the end of the year, Rufforth don't respond, the web site is off and all the e mails bounce, Popham have no plans to run any at all, etc etc.
I get the impression that these courses are so time consuming for the operators that nobody really wants to do them. As there are only about 8 rated course providers in total and some of them are only rated to do flex wing, the options are very limited.
Were it not for the fact that I am too long in the tooth to face the CPL exams for what is just a hobby for me, I would go the JAR route for either fw or rotary or both.
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Do you want to teach ab-initio or just get into teaching?
Take a look at the CRI rating.
http://www.ontrackaviation.com/cri-se.htm
CRI you can do without the CPL exams. ME is also a CRI rating as can be IR(I) and you can also become an FE.
Take a look at the CRI rating.
http://www.ontrackaviation.com/cri-se.htm
CRI you can do without the CPL exams. ME is also a CRI rating as can be IR(I) and you can also become an FE.
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Yes I did consider that one Bose and it is still a possibility. I am planning to gradually retire over the next 3 years or so and have always wanted to have a go at instruction but have never had the time. I was originally going to do an FI(R)(H) but was not quite in time to get enough hours in before the rules changed to require CPL knowledge a few years back. The main reason to consider a 3 axis microlight rating apart from the no CPL requirement is that I have been flying these a/c quite a bit recently and there happens to be a microlight school about a mile from my house so it would be very convenient. If I really am unable to find anywhere to do the course, the CRI rating is a fall back option unless the EASA rules change re NPPL instruction.
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Muffin, as a microlight school proprietor hoping to start offering three-axis training, I was dismayed to read your post.
And it cannot be good for the sport (flying, as well as microlighting) if potential instructors cannot get in the air.
It is true, there are a limited number of FIC instructors. And many of them have more than a few threads to their business - ie running an airfield or impoirting aircraft(as Paul Dewhurst does with the Skyranger). However committed they are, there is a limit to their time.
As for the money, in any business model each item should be priced according to its worth to the business - then price becomes the rationer and demand settles at what apacity can provide. So I don't think it is the hassle - in fact with the majority of the course spent in the classroom it is guaranteed money in this British weather!
And of course some FIC instructors - Paul Dewhurst, world microlight champ several times over etc etc pops into mind again- are in huge demand for instructor renewals too, which also eats into time.
John Teesdale's site www.airsportstraining.co.uk is up and running this morning, and gives the following prices:
Assistant Flying Instructor course :
15 hours flying, 40 hours ground-school
On our aircraft : £2,100 + aircraft time ( currently £81.00/hr )
On your aircraft : £2,100
Gerry Breen is not a "holiday". He works you very hard, so is excellent value since you learn lots more than you might need for exams - but, of course, still not enough to handle every student query!
Marcus at Perth also flies in Gap Tallard - if you want that "holiday" - but you might have to provide your own aircraft (although there is an AX200 for sale on www.afors.co.uk for just 7,500 - so not prohibitive)
If no-one really is available, the last resort would be to ask the CAA if you could do a course on your own microlight with a light aircraft FIC instructor. Most things involving microlights seem to involve dispensations now - including the issue of a microlight instructors rating on an NPPL!
Very best wishes, it might be hassle but it is worth it,
Colin
And it cannot be good for the sport (flying, as well as microlighting) if potential instructors cannot get in the air.
It is true, there are a limited number of FIC instructors. And many of them have more than a few threads to their business - ie running an airfield or impoirting aircraft(as Paul Dewhurst does with the Skyranger). However committed they are, there is a limit to their time.
As for the money, in any business model each item should be priced according to its worth to the business - then price becomes the rationer and demand settles at what apacity can provide. So I don't think it is the hassle - in fact with the majority of the course spent in the classroom it is guaranteed money in this British weather!
And of course some FIC instructors - Paul Dewhurst, world microlight champ several times over etc etc pops into mind again- are in huge demand for instructor renewals too, which also eats into time.
John Teesdale's site www.airsportstraining.co.uk is up and running this morning, and gives the following prices:
Assistant Flying Instructor course :
15 hours flying, 40 hours ground-school
On our aircraft : £2,100 + aircraft time ( currently £81.00/hr )
On your aircraft : £2,100
Gerry Breen is not a "holiday". He works you very hard, so is excellent value since you learn lots more than you might need for exams - but, of course, still not enough to handle every student query!
Marcus at Perth also flies in Gap Tallard - if you want that "holiday" - but you might have to provide your own aircraft (although there is an AX200 for sale on www.afors.co.uk for just 7,500 - so not prohibitive)
If no-one really is available, the last resort would be to ask the CAA if you could do a course on your own microlight with a light aircraft FIC instructor. Most things involving microlights seem to involve dispensations now - including the issue of a microlight instructors rating on an NPPL!
Very best wishes, it might be hassle but it is worth it,
Colin
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I'm in the wrong business
Assistant Flying Instructor course :
15 hours flying, 40 hours ground-school
On our aircraft : £2,100 + aircraft time ( currently £81.00/hr )
On your aircraft : £2,100
15 hours flying, 40 hours ground-school
On our aircraft : £2,100 + aircraft time ( currently £81.00/hr )
On your aircraft : £2,100
BTW I understand FIC approved on group A can teach FIC for ML's and if it's 3 axis should be a problem. Muffin if you have your own aircraft I'd be quite happy for you to pay me £100/hour and I'll through in the throw in the ground school for nothing.
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I just realised that our Group A ICAO Instructors conversion course is actually cheaper than than the ML FIC course prevoiusly mentioned.
We do the 15 hour conversion course on C150 or PA38 (which includes 35 hours of ground school usually more like 40 hours anyway) for £2950 inclusive of VAT landing fees etc, etc. This works out £300 cheaper than the Airports Training price!
Question: can't work out if the Airsport's prices include VAT or not, if they don't it gets cheaper still!
Looks like it better to go the one of the Group A FIC courses where ever you are; after all what is different about flying a C150 or any of these 3-axis ML's anyway. I've flown a couple and frankly some are better than C150's anyway - no carb heat to worry about either!
We do the 15 hour conversion course on C150 or PA38 (which includes 35 hours of ground school usually more like 40 hours anyway) for £2950 inclusive of VAT landing fees etc, etc. This works out £300 cheaper than the Airports Training price!
Question: can't work out if the Airsport's prices include VAT or not, if they don't it gets cheaper still!
Looks like it better to go the one of the Group A FIC courses where ever you are; after all what is different about flying a C150 or any of these 3-axis ML's anyway. I've flown a couple and frankly some are better than C150's anyway - no carb heat to worry about either!
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I actually learnt to fly ML when I first returned to flying they are not really any different from an SEP just require a bit more attention on energy management and the AX3/2000 are very low to the ground.
I learnt with Flylight who are actually a first class set-up and and what Paul Dewhurst does not know about ML flying is not worth knowing hence why I wanted to do a course with them.
PilotMike I will look into what you said, very usefull.
I learnt with Flylight who are actually a first class set-up and and what Paul Dewhurst does not know about ML flying is not worth knowing hence why I wanted to do a course with them.
PilotMike I will look into what you said, very usefull.
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Yes, Paul is my first choice if they do decide to run any courses this year. Also they do it on a Eurostar which will be very useful if and when mine ever comes back mended (I did not bust it I hasten to add).
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Pilot Mike you said:
What is probably not clear to you is that in our world (Group A)we seldom get paid for the ground school and mostly it hovers around £10-15/hour when we do, and anyway one would never get paid for all the ground school. What do you think I get for this course? Probably 15hrs at £50/hour and about £150 for the ground school as a rule and I think I'm quite well off compared with others doing the same - I'd love to get £38/hour for flying and the ground school combined!!! Why do you think our course ends up cheaper by comparison?
But as it was clearly 15 flying hours AND 40 ground hours for £2100, this comes to nearer £38 per hour according to my maths, which is a whole lot less than you made it.
I doubt this will seem so attractive, now it has been fully explained to you.
I doubt this will seem so attractive, now it has been fully explained to you.
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Beginning to think this is a wind-up 
Checking for my potential AFI, there is availablity with Marcus at perth at 2500 in his aircraft, or 2350 in your own aircraft in May.
There is availabilty with Gerry in portugal in May at 2800 including aircraft and there is availability with John at Rufforth in your own or his aircraft.
In our school's aircraft, at 2200, he is the cheapest!
So a bit of choice.
Haven't phoned Paul or the others.
Colin
Checking for my potential AFI, there is availablity with Marcus at perth at 2500 in his aircraft, or 2350 in your own aircraft in May.
There is availabilty with Gerry in portugal in May at 2800 including aircraft and there is availability with John at Rufforth in your own or his aircraft.
In our school's aircraft, at 2200, he is the cheapest!
So a bit of choice.
Haven't phoned Paul or the others.
Colin
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Actually I assure you this is not a wind up. I sent 10 e mails last Sunday to the people on the BMAA FIC list at their listed e mail addresses. By today, I have had just 3 replies which were all negative. I have followed up 3 more by phone which were also negative. I live in the Midlands and ideally wanted somewhere in commuting distance so had left out Scotland and Portugal for the moment. There are not many left.
Richard
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pilotmike,
Why the aggessive tone...or maybe it isn't, but just appears so in writing? Muffin simply stated what he'd done...
He'd hoped for an option relatively close to home, if possible. He's a family man, nearing retirement age, and doesn't necessarily jump at the chance of swanning off to Scotland or Portugal unless absolutely necessary. Is that so odd? And he'd already contacted a lot of people. Maybe he'll contact any others you or anyone else has suggested, but give the guy a chance! As for pm-ing you...errrr....why? Does he need a recommendation at this stage. Maybe later, but as I read it, at the moment he just needs an instructor who actually wants to teach the course!!!
I know Muffin well, and I stick up for my friends if they're being apparently criticised for no reason. If no criticism was intended, OK, my mistake.
Why the aggessive tone...or maybe it isn't, but just appears so in writing? Muffin simply stated what he'd done...
I sent 10 e mails last Sunday to the people on the BMAA FIC list at their listed e mail addresses. By today, I have had just 3 replies which were all negative. I have followed up 3 more by phone which were also negative
I know Muffin well, and I stick up for my friends if they're being apparently criticised for no reason. If no criticism was intended, OK, my mistake.
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Richard,
Even the best of schools aren't so hot on web and email etc. Simply, they are too small and usually run by people who are good at flying!
On top of that, the BMAA's web site is a wee bit out of date.
I now fly from Strathaven, not Cumbernauld, and have for more than a year. But my entry is still Cumbernauld!
I suggest the interactive telephone! Plus a visit to see who you get on with. It is worth the travelling just to get the best course.
Personally, my web site is - I think - fairly good, and I was the first UK microlight school to sell gift vouchers online.
But it is hard work doing the lot - and running an airfield - so for that reason I turned down the offer to get an examiner's authority at my last re-rate. Would have been just one thing too many (already running well behind on trying for a radio examiner!)
So I can understand email probs (this is also holiday time for microlight instructors!)
Very best,
Colin
Even the best of schools aren't so hot on web and email etc. Simply, they are too small and usually run by people who are good at flying!
On top of that, the BMAA's web site is a wee bit out of date.
I now fly from Strathaven, not Cumbernauld, and have for more than a year. But my entry is still Cumbernauld!
I suggest the interactive telephone! Plus a visit to see who you get on with. It is worth the travelling just to get the best course.
Personally, my web site is - I think - fairly good, and I was the first UK microlight school to sell gift vouchers online.
But it is hard work doing the lot - and running an airfield - so for that reason I turned down the offer to get an examiner's authority at my last re-rate. Would have been just one thing too many (already running well behind on trying for a radio examiner!)
So I can understand email probs (this is also holiday time for microlight instructors!)
Very best,
Colin
