Elstree Aerodrome

[LondonJ]

If a plane needs to go in for maintenance and the fleet isn't large then there might not be a spare plane available.

I trained at cabair. It's very professionally run but very over-priced. For example they charge you landing fees in addition to the usual fees when all Elstree based aircraft are exempt from landing fees!

The instructor I ended up with was truly excellent. But I went up with 3 - 4 other guys for various reasons. A couple were truly awful, not much older than 21 with a virtually no instructing time. As long as you can find a good instructor and pre-book with him/her well in advance you should be fine.

Personally I would in retrospect have gone with Firecrest.

Overall though, Elstree is a good place to learn. Very busy GA field, fairly difficullt runway (undulating with a slope) and complicated circuit patterns for noise abatement. Add on that it is right on the edge of London's TMA and you certainly won't feel out of depth after you qualify and want to go explore other places.

[VFE]

Have a trial lesson at Firecrest and then you can compare the two schools. Be sure to tell them that you are going to be doing a PPL.

VFE.

[LateFinals]

I learnt to fly at Elstree, my instuctor said that with all the problems documented ( odd circuits, shortish non-flat runway, tight TMA's), everywhere else would be easier to fly into which is certainly generally true. I think Firecrest generally have better instructors than Cabair who have a corporate expensive manner about them with lots of hour-building "waiting for a proper job" instructors.

Elstree is very friendly, unless a certain individual is on duty in air traffic....

LF

[VFE]

Out of interest - has anyone ever approached the 'certain individual' in the control box about his attitude? I have often tried engaging him in some jovial conversation when showing my face around the place but it's like piddling in the wind! What is his problem exactly? Maybe someone should print off this thread and post it under the door....

VFE.

[Hamish 123]

As has been pointed out in earlier posts - if you can cope with Elstree's location, runway, circuits and FSIO when you're learning, it's gotta be beneficial in the long run!

[Gertrude the Wombat]

if you can cope with Elstree's location, runway, circuits and FSIO

You lot trying to put me off?? - I was planning to fly in there tomorrow, weather permitting.

[robin]

I use Elstree a fair bit, mainly cos relatives live nearby.

My own experience has been nothing but excellent. I've never had a problem with any of the things mentioned here - not even the 'certain individual'. Quite the contrary - they have been extremely helpful.

My only issues with Elstree are that it is rather crowded and could do with a facelift.

[noisy]

I learned to fly with Firecrest. No, they are not as shiny or corporate as Cabair, but they are lucky to have a number of excellent instructors. I was able to stay with one instructor from first lesson to test. At the end, when I was struggling a bit with PFLs, they were flexible enough to let me go with another instructor for a few hours.

Amir from flyteam sets some of the exams - he is the boss. Make you no mistake. I didn't have a problem with this.

As for Elstree itself, it's a bit of a nuisance. It typically takes six minutes to make the southern circuit, which is probably longer than many airfields. By contrast the northern inner circuit will push you for time when you are learning.

[sheesh123]

noisy, if u were to look back and choose between cabair and firecrest to do your training which one would you choose?

[D SQDRN 97th IOTC]

Elstree's FSIO

he is unbelievable

a more grumpy and less helpful person you are not likely to meet

[noisy]

Sheesh123,

I would choose Firecrest over Cabair any day of the week. No question. That said, I was never a student at Cabair! I do not doubt their professionalism, but definetely agree with Emma that a mature instructor is a good idea.

Best,

N

[pchappo]

if you dont like elstree, try denham - www.egld.com - there is cabair there as well as a VERY good company called The Pilot Centre.

[Finals19]

Agreed, Denham is good and The Pilot Centre is a friendly enough place, although their availability on the PA28 fleet is quite tight in the summer.

As for the FISO service at Elstree. Its a small box with an even smaller man in it. Not too much to worry about really, just give him the minimum required RT calls for ground movements. Otherwise, its "at your discretion" and don't let him make you think otherwise....!

[trident3A]

Firecrest

Hi there,
I'm going for a trial lesson with firecrest this week. I previously had a lesson with cabair and found the equipment and the instructor very good but the price quoted for the PPL very high, and the instructor was only part time. Anyone currently doing PPL at firecrest care to comment on these guys? I've read varied reports on here.

Many Thanks

[Sir George Cayley]

Showing my age and going back a few years one of the voices on Elstrees radio was affectionately know as "The Meekong".

Pete Woods was there about the same time as well as Masefields Supa Dupa Chippy.

I got a b***ll**king once for turning onto finals too tight. No-one else in the circuit and a glide approach to boot.

Never been back and hopefully never will.

Apparently the owner is 120 years old.

Sir George Cayley

[Oldpilot55]

I thought Elstree was shabby on my first and only visit. No complaints about friendliness but where does the money that folk pour into it go?
Grass areas soft and unusable but still used for parking.

[A and C]

Not Cabair !

Cabair will charge you a lot of money for the same product that you can get at Firecrest for 75% of the price.

Don't let the potted plants and the instructors dressed like south american dictators fool you, the only interest they have in you is your money.

Firecrest may not have the gloss of cabair but they look after the aircraft and give good value for money.

[Aerodynamik]

Just to add to your confusion I could recommend the Lion Flying group at Elstree. It is run/owned by Jose who is a very experienced instructor. They have a well equipped and looked after C172 and and access to, I think, a C150 or Tomahawk.

[trident3A]

Thanks for the info. Firecrest sounds like the better bet for me all told - having my lesson on Fri.

[felixflyer]

I heard that anyone giving instruction at Elstree has to pay Cabair £20 per hour. If this is true i dont see how anyone can be cheaper than Cabair. Yet Firecrest is still cheaper.

Goes to show how much mark up there is.