Elstree Aerodrome
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 21
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From: Kenya
Elstree Aerodrome
I am looking to start flying and obtaing a PPL. The nearesr place is Elstree which is just 5 minute drive. I took a test flight at cabair elstree and went pretty well.
However the prices are steep, works out to be about £10,000 for everything. Is it worth doing and are there other schools in Elstree aerodrome?
However the prices are steep, works out to be about £10,000 for everything. Is it worth doing and are there other schools in Elstree aerodrome?
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 217
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From: west sussex
flyteam only hire from Elstree
they train from Cranfield
Cabair are young journey boys .........
I did my PPL with them in the 90s and went through several instructors as they are mostly out to gain sufficient hours until they can join an airline.
The last one (he was also the most mature but he went off to fly for fly-be after having been the Sunday Times cricket correspondent) was the best.
Flyteam - you get mixed reviews about them. You either like Amir or you don't. Personally I like him a lot. But he has a strong character and puts up with no bull. Might not be everyone's cup of tea.......
if you do go for cabair, you may pay more than elsewhere, but you will get your PPL. If you don't mind going to Cranfield, then I would chose Flyteam.
they train from Cranfield
Cabair are young journey boys .........
I did my PPL with them in the 90s and went through several instructors as they are mostly out to gain sufficient hours until they can join an airline.
The last one (he was also the most mature but he went off to fly for fly-be after having been the Sunday Times cricket correspondent) was the best.
Flyteam - you get mixed reviews about them. You either like Amir or you don't. Personally I like him a lot. But he has a strong character and puts up with no bull. Might not be everyone's cup of tea.......
if you do go for cabair, you may pay more than elsewhere, but you will get your PPL. If you don't mind going to Cranfield, then I would chose Flyteam.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 91
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From: york
Sorry i forgot Flyteam only hire from Elstree, thats all i use them for
. But i must like their particular variety of tea, as i find them great blokes. Sheesh123, if you do a thread search i think you will be able to find other opinions of Cabair instructors, you will most likely find they generally confer with D SQDRN 97th IOTC. Firecrest use the Flyteam chap to do there exams i think? Anyone like to confirm or otherwise?
. But i must like their particular variety of tea, as i find them great blokes. Sheesh123, if you do a thread search i think you will be able to find other opinions of Cabair instructors, you will most likely find they generally confer with D SQDRN 97th IOTC. Firecrest use the Flyteam chap to do there exams i think? Anyone like to confirm or otherwise?
Why do it if it's not fun?
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,782
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From: Bournemouth
Flyteam - you get mixed reviews about them. You either like Amir or you don't
No personal experience of Firecrest, but based on reputation they are the only school at Elstree I would hand my money over too.
FFF
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 21
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From: Kenya
what do you mean by "D SQDRN 97th IOTC"? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
when doing a search about cabair elstree i found opinions half which were positive and half negetive so not too sure.
who has used Firecrest and what do people think of them? why do you think they are better then cabair?
Is there any problems with using many instructors as i know cabair do?
when doing a search about cabair elstree i found opinions half which were positive and half negetive so not too sure.
who has used Firecrest and what do people think of them? why do you think they are better then cabair?
Is there any problems with using many instructors as i know cabair do?
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 927
Likes: 1
From: Sth Bucks UK
Cabair has a very "corporate machine" feel about it.
There's nothing wrong with the instruction or the aircraft per se, it's just that learning to fly with them wasn't a great deal of fun (JMHO).
Other places I've been to since have had a much more friendly feel about them, but then again I'm just not a corporate animal.
Maybe you'll like it that way?
Are you on a greater journey of some kind, or just out to have fun in aeroplanes?
If the latter I'd look for the school that has the more interesting kit, rather than the usual Cessna/Piper stuff.
There's nothing wrong with the instruction or the aircraft per se, it's just that learning to fly with them wasn't a great deal of fun (JMHO).
Other places I've been to since have had a much more friendly feel about them, but then again I'm just not a corporate animal.
Maybe you'll like it that way?
Are you on a greater journey of some kind, or just out to have fun in aeroplanes?
If the latter I'd look for the school that has the more interesting kit, rather than the usual Cessna/Piper stuff.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 21
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From: Kenya
Im not on a greater journey than to get a PPL and just have fun with aeroplanes.
I am looking for a place with a friendly enviroment and somewhere to have some fun. I will go and check out firecrest and see what happens.
I am looking for a place with a friendly enviroment and somewhere to have some fun. I will go and check out firecrest and see what happens.
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 437
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From: UK
Flyteam - you get mixed reviews about them. You either like Amir or you don't
Firecrest seem quite laid back and approachable - definitely worth a try. Cabair are expensive in comparison.
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 4
From: London
I did my PPL with Cabair in Elstree, getting by licence in February. While there are obviously a few instructors hour building there, others who have been around a good while. It took me about 18 months to get my licence, and during this time, I only flew with 3 instructors - one due to a circuit check prior to a solo navex, while another was an hour prior to the GST. I may not have been typical, but I basically did all my training with one bloke. Mind you, he's now flying with the airlines . . . however, there are still some cracking instructors there.
Cabair seems to have a bit of an unfavourable reputation, but they did fine by me.
Cabair seems to have a bit of an unfavourable reputation, but they did fine by me.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 29
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From: UK
Shy_one is not a fan of Flyteam or its CFI. I don't believe Elstree is a good place to train due to its silly circuits and its one very grumpy FSIO.
Why not travel a bit further and get a better environment in which to train.
Why not travel a bit further and get a better environment in which to train.
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 62
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From: London
Try Stapleford www.flysfc.com not far round the M25. I'm learning there, quality of training is excellent.
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 263
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From: UK
I like Amir, he will teach you until you got it and will never let you off if you are not safe. The aircraft are fine albit not as shiney as Cabair's. As for Firecrest all I can say is that they are good people but as I never flew with them I can't say much more.
Cabair are professional and has large fleet of aircraft, therefore they always have another aircraft to give you if the one that you had to have went tech. smaller schools might send you home even if it is a nice day. Cabair are expensive but it is only you who can decide if you are willing to pay the extra money or not. I never flew with them so I can not attest to the standard of instructing.
Cabair are professional and has large fleet of aircraft, therefore they always have another aircraft to give you if the one that you had to have went tech. smaller schools might send you home even if it is a nice day. Cabair are expensive but it is only you who can decide if you are willing to pay the extra money or not. I never flew with them so I can not attest to the standard of instructing.