Flights near Reading???
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Flights near Reading???
Hi to all,
I am a spanish pilot who has recently decided to start a University degree in Reading (UK), after over 3 years looking for a Job as a pilot in most parts of the world and being in too much of a debt to pay for a type rating, and thought it was worth investing some years getting complementary studies. My dream is still to be able to earn a living flying, so I am looking for somewhere to keep me up to date with my hours in the Reading area, I have heard, and read in magazines, that the prices of hours are quite expensive over here, so I guess my multi hours will have to wait till I go back for holidays.
What are the typical requirements to be able to rent a plane over here? Just a quick test flight or more?
Thanks for the help,
Richard
I am a spanish pilot who has recently decided to start a University degree in Reading (UK), after over 3 years looking for a Job as a pilot in most parts of the world and being in too much of a debt to pay for a type rating, and thought it was worth investing some years getting complementary studies. My dream is still to be able to earn a living flying, so I am looking for somewhere to keep me up to date with my hours in the Reading area, I have heard, and read in magazines, that the prices of hours are quite expensive over here, so I guess my multi hours will have to wait till I go back for holidays.
What are the typical requirements to be able to rent a plane over here? Just a quick test flight or more?
Thanks for the help,
Richard
Join Date: Jul 2002
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I would suggest you try West London Aero Club at White Waltham (nr. Maidenhead) which is about 20-30 minutes from Reading along the A4. You will need full flying membership of the club and a check out with an instructor to fly their aircraft (mainly PA28 types). After that you have to fly once every 28 days to remain current. Their website has details or call them up.
Why do it if it's not fun?
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Hi Richard,
Your nearest flying club to Reading would be West London Aero Club at White Waltham. You are correct in that they are not the cheapest club around, but it's a very friendly club with a great atmosphere, a load of fairly basic PA28s for rent, and two nearly-new C172s which are fully kitted out for airways flying. The airfield itself has three grass runways, so there's always a runway which is roughly into wind (which is nice unless you're trying to practice your crosswind technique).
As for what you'd need to do, the first issue would be your license. If you have a JAR license, you can fly a G-registered aircraft. Otherwise, it gets a bit more complicated, but my understanding is that you can use any ICAO license to fly a G-registered aircraft, day-VFR only, in the UK.
Once that's sorted, you will need a checkout with an instructor. This will cover the usual type of thing - circuits, steep turns, slow flight, stalls etc. If you haven't flown in the UK, I'd imagine you'll also spend some time getting up to speed with the local airspace and r/t rules. Best thing to do is take your license and logbook, and go along and have a chat to one of the instructors there to discuss it.
The same would apply at just about any school or club, by the way - there are a couple of others within a reasonable distance of Reading, although not quite as close as White Waltham.
FFF
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[Edit coz Capt Sparky got in before me!]
Your nearest flying club to Reading would be West London Aero Club at White Waltham. You are correct in that they are not the cheapest club around, but it's a very friendly club with a great atmosphere, a load of fairly basic PA28s for rent, and two nearly-new C172s which are fully kitted out for airways flying. The airfield itself has three grass runways, so there's always a runway which is roughly into wind (which is nice unless you're trying to practice your crosswind technique).
As for what you'd need to do, the first issue would be your license. If you have a JAR license, you can fly a G-registered aircraft. Otherwise, it gets a bit more complicated, but my understanding is that you can use any ICAO license to fly a G-registered aircraft, day-VFR only, in the UK.
Once that's sorted, you will need a checkout with an instructor. This will cover the usual type of thing - circuits, steep turns, slow flight, stalls etc. If you haven't flown in the UK, I'd imagine you'll also spend some time getting up to speed with the local airspace and r/t rules. Best thing to do is take your license and logbook, and go along and have a chat to one of the instructors there to discuss it.
The same would apply at just about any school or club, by the way - there are a couple of others within a reasonable distance of Reading, although not quite as close as White Waltham.
FFF
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[Edit coz Capt Sparky got in before me!]
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Richiya,
You may also want to try the two clubs at Wycombe Air Park (aka Booker) which isn't too far from Reading (but might be tricky to get to if you don't have your own transport). The clubs are Wycombe Air Centre which I'm a member of, and the British Airways Flying Club.
If you're planning on coming up to Wycombe PM me, and if I'm available I can show you around.
As for the requirements to rent an aircraft - the club will require you to do a check flight (probably not much more than 1 hour). However I'm not so certain what the position is with licences - I assume you've gat a Spanish JAA licence, but I don't know if that's all you need to fly a UK reg A/C, however the clubs should be able to advise you.
Hmmm - just noticed that FFF has answered that one as I was typing this in.
Brooklands
You may also want to try the two clubs at Wycombe Air Park (aka Booker) which isn't too far from Reading (but might be tricky to get to if you don't have your own transport). The clubs are Wycombe Air Centre which I'm a member of, and the British Airways Flying Club.
If you're planning on coming up to Wycombe PM me, and if I'm available I can show you around.
As for the requirements to rent an aircraft - the club will require you to do a check flight (probably not much more than 1 hour). However I'm not so certain what the position is with licences - I assume you've gat a Spanish JAA licence, but I don't know if that's all you need to fly a UK reg A/C, however the clubs should be able to advise you.
Hmmm - just noticed that FFF has answered that one as I was typing this in.
Brooklands
Join Date: Apr 2001
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Richard,
There is also Popham which is not far from Reading and is a grass strip just like WLAC.
Alternatively if you dont mind a drive for about an hour then I drive down to Bournemouth and fly from there (especially if doing a XChannel trip). I found aircraft to be in better nick than WLAC and also about £30 cheaper if taken solo, so on a day away this adds up to quiet a bit! You will have to enquire about the prices now as its abour 6 mths since I have flown from then having now bought an aircraft share, they did have a website though.
Julian.
There is also Popham which is not far from Reading and is a grass strip just like WLAC.
Alternatively if you dont mind a drive for about an hour then I drive down to Bournemouth and fly from there (especially if doing a XChannel trip). I found aircraft to be in better nick than WLAC and also about £30 cheaper if taken solo, so on a day away this adds up to quiet a bit! You will have to enquire about the prices now as its abour 6 mths since I have flown from then having now bought an aircraft share, they did have a website though.
Julian.
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Hey guys thanks for the info, you're great help.
I'll look into it and keep you posted as to what happened. I have a JAR licence so I don't think there will be much problem with that aspect.
Cheers,
Richard
I'll look into it and keep you posted as to what happened. I have a JAR licence so I don't think there will be much problem with that aspect.
Cheers,
Richard
Join Date: Jul 2003
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WLAC does have 3 Warrior IIIs complete with Garmin 430 GPS/NAV/Radio - very natty. It is true that the others are a bag of bolts though.
I've always wondered why we pay through the nose to go and sit in something that smells like an old car thats got mildew
WLACs rwys are great, 'cos theres pretty much one always into wind (I went and did some circuits at lunchtime and it was 'kin windy but it was straight down 29), and some of them have some exciting bumps to make t/o and landing more interesting.
I've always wondered why we pay through the nose to go and sit in something that smells like an old car thats got mildew
WLACs rwys are great, 'cos theres pretty much one always into wind (I went and did some circuits at lunchtime and it was 'kin windy but it was straight down 29), and some of them have some exciting bumps to make t/o and landing more interesting.
Join Date: Apr 2001
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WLACs rwys are great,
I do admit the clubhouse is probably one of the better ones though, in fact sometimes only hever got as far as the clubhouse
Julian,
I have on occasion flown from farmers fields, and trust me they are far worse than WW even on a really bad day!
If you want something worse than a farmers field, you should try Redlands (at least in the winter, it's quite nice in summer).
G
I have on occasion flown from farmers fields, and trust me they are far worse than WW even on a really bad day!
If you want something worse than a farmers field, you should try Redlands (at least in the winter, it's quite nice in summer).
G
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Whats even better is that they actively encourage you NOT to land on the centreline - something that comes very naturally to me
Anyway, the "ski jump" on 11 provides great amusement if you are a little fast on landing
Anyway, the "ski jump" on 11 provides great amusement if you are a little fast on landing
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I too did a few turns at WW yesterday lunchtime – kind’a gusty. Or was that Del Boy bumping into us every now and then practicing on his new toy at WP? And if you like Jugged Hare – well, there’s plenty of scope for bagging the odd bunny. Nothing wrong with grass runways either – preferable to tarmac any day!
