Hi there, . .. .I'm new to the forum and would really appreciate some help with finding a flying school. I live in Docklands in London and am looking for a flying school that's preferably accessible by public transport, but not absolutely essential. Anything within 1 1/2 hour journey each way is OK. My two major requirements are that they fly Cessnas and that the staff are friendly (I tried a local school near my family home in Woking, Surrey and the CFI was a right misery, not the kind of bloke I feel like handing over £160/hour to).. .. .The background is that I got my PPL in Australia back in August of last year, and due to lack of finances had to shelve the flying for a few months. Anyway, now things are looking better financially and the weather (in theory) will begin to brighten up I'm looking to find a flying school to do the JAA flight exam. I'll obviously need a few hours to get back in the swing of things (BTW, would anyone here recommend going to Florida for 10-20 hours to brush up or is that too few hours to make it pay?). .. .Many thanks in advance for any help.. .. .Frank

Stapleford Flying Club, Essex. Literally 40 mins tube time from Canary Wharf or hop on to the A406 and M11. They are pricey but that would be the most nearest to you. Website: <a href="http://www.flysfc.com" target="_blank">www.flysfc.com</a>. .. .Florida is a good idea. There's lots of opinions about the various schools, as I'm sure people will give you.....

Try Southend Airport. They have 4 flying clubs to choose from, price competition is very keen, therefore, and a friendly bunch at that!

Superpilot/ Red Four, thanks for the recommendations. Both places sound promising, another member emailed me recommending Willowair in Southend as well. Can't wait to get back to it.... .. .Thanks. .. .Frank

Once you have achieved your goal and have the JAA licence to add to your Oz one (not forgetting the Estuary English R/T Endorsement), it's worth having a look at the Squadron flying club at North Weald, which is an easy drive from Docklands, or accessible (sort of) by public transport (do we still have that?) to Epping or Chipping Ongar. The Squadron does have a Cessna for rent, but the main point of North Weald is the opportunity to fly more varied and interesting types from a very atmospheric Battle of Britain airfield.. . . . <small>[ 20 March 2002, 12:22: Message edited by: FNG ]</small>

I too will put my hand up for Southend, but then I'm biased. You can travel to the airport by bus from either Southend Central station or Rochford Station, although they are both a bit of a hike. Its a good field to fly from, long runway, has enough traffic to make it interesting, easy to find from the air. And like North Weald, it too was a Battle of Britain airfield. . .. .FNG - is North Weald your home base then?

Re Fairoaks,. .. .Always been my experience there. Barge poll time.. .. .However, pop into London Transport Flying club at the other end of the field, and you will find it very different, and a LOT cheaper.. .. .Best check out their website first and make an appointment.. .. .PS. . . . <small>[ 20 March 2002, 14:35: Message edited by: Polar_stereographic ]</small>

Is North Weald my base airfield? No, I'm based at White Waltham, although I am a a member at North Weald. I have nothing to say against Southend: it's a very good airfield, but, as it is now a busy commercial and training field, its atmosphere is different to that of North Weald, where the flying facilities are deliberately maintained to evoke the 1940s (even the cakes are surplus WW2 RAF Escape from Colditz issue), and aircraft movements are relatively few, but often interesting. Same goes for Stapleford: decent airfield, has a history, but less of it now shows. Horses for courses, depends what you are looking for in an airfield.. . . . <small>[ 20 March 2002, 15:03: Message edited by: FNG ]</small>

Frank, . .. .or alternatively you can get the DLR to Greenwich and catch the train to Rochester. There's two flying schools down there. I use the one that's not CabAir <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

Southend is ok for public transport. I was in the same position a year ago. From Liverpool Street, it's 50 mins or so to Rochford, then 3 or 4 quid in a cab. You'll probably find someone at your chosen club that will give you a lift back to the station. Or take a cycle.. .. .What god giveth in the way of long runway, ATC, traffic to help learn with, he taketh away in terms of it being a concrete dump with a McDonald's drive through for your lunch. A quaint english grass strip with charming clubhouse it is not.. .. .Aesthetics aside, you're there for the flying, and James Meson at Willowair, Southend, is just about the most chilled and friendly instructor I've met.. .. .And, if you get a bit tired of Southend's "character", you can always look forward to a Lydd cross country to remind yourself EGMC isn't so bad. The time in Lydd is 1957.