Bravo-Papa

Thanks all for the wise words. As I should have known as when buying a car or any investment of cash try before you buy. I have contacted a number of schools and clubs at Biggin and now headcorn (interesting article in "Todays Pilot") and hope to have a few trial lessons over the next few weeks. Thank you also for all the PM's I have had I appreciate that an open forum is not a good place to name intructors good or bad but all the information has helped. I also as mentioned before will be paying as I go, all I need now is to send the euro millions winner a marriage proposal.

Right lets start flying and I'll be back looking for good aero clubs although I understand you can't really beat the west london aero club and , indeed, Alan Cassidy is the best I can get. look forward to meeting some of you are aero comps.

Regards,

PB

bunchyno2

i started to fly in shoreham in sussex, but it became too expensive. So i trawled the sites and found Nearlyheaven in Limoges in France, with a wonderful lady instuctor called Sue burgess.
They have three robins, a diamond star, and a mooney. So if your fed up with the costs, the weather, and the busy airspace here, give it a go, and dont worry about restricted french airspace, the charts a very easy to understand and atc will always help. Plus you are always on radar, as you have a squark code issued for all flights they know where you are, and they will help you out.
Ive just completed my ppl over there, and it was a great experience.
Ian

jollyrog

I did my PPL at Headcorn last year and was most satisfied with the training. There's a large, stable team of self-employed instructors with their own businesses at Headcorn, each registered as a FTO.

It's not hard to get to from North Kent (it is North Kent!), takes less than an hour on the train or by car.

Only downside is the grass runway. When it gets soggy, flying can be cancelled for a while.

Quite a large fleet of aircraft - C152, C172, PA28 and a stack of Robins. I did my training in the PA28, but would suggest you go for a Robin, as aircraft availability will be better. No landing fees unless you go somewhere else. Straightforward hourly rate, all included (brakes on/off).

Saying that, I never had (have) any problem getting the PA28. It was more difficult getting my instructor as he was getting busy.

I kept the same instructor from start to finish. As a customer of an individual's FTO, you'll get that by default and if you aren't happy with the instructor you're with, with so many self employed others there, it won't be hard to change.

http://www.headcornaerodrome.co.uk
or 01622 891539

The instructors all have links from the aerodrome's web page.

tigerbatics

Bravo-Papa,

Your first post said you wanted to fly aero competitions in due course. I assume from that you will look on flying as a sport not a possible alternative career. Good, more people in competition are always welcome and you will find that it really is the only way to fly but you have to get there first.

If this is your goal do not learn on a C150 or a PA-28. Instructors on these things tend to be the 'straight and level' CPL type although there are honourable exceptions. Learn on a Cub or at least a tailwheel aeroplane. It is worth the extra money and trouble to go and find one.

Given your objective, and your location, give the Tiger Club at Headcorn a call and see what they can do. If you like it you could not be in a better place to go on and learn aeros and how to really fly, not just operate, an aeroplane.

neilcharlton

hi BP - dont you just love the expense of flying!! I also ski and scuba dive so my bank manager loves me. I live in central london, and i also looked at Biggin. A lot of the advice you have been give is very good.

One of my top priorities when i was looking was non arrogance with the flying instructor. You have to sit next to this guy for a long time so if he's a know it all and opperates the cessna like the 747 he really wants to fly then its not going to be the best experiance for you.