PPL in Norwich
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PPL in Norwich
Hi,
Just wondered if anyone has any recommendations or advice about flying schools in Norwich as I'm about to start doing my PPL
Many thanks
markc80
Just wondered if anyone has any recommendations or advice about flying schools in Norwich as I'm about to start doing my PPL
Many thanks
markc80
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I learned flying at the Norwich School of Flying, run by Brian Illston, last time I ws at Norwich they had a nice set up but I heard Norwich Airport was making life for GA difficult....
I was always happy to learn at a full size airport, it gets you used to multiple frequencies, mixing with large scale traffic etc...
I was always happy to learn at a full size airport, it gets you used to multiple frequencies, mixing with large scale traffic etc...
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VanHorck makes a good point ...... I think learning to fly out of a bigger airport certainly helps with your overall confidence. People seem to have no problem with the transition from a bigger airfield to flying out of a smaller one, but don't usually find it as easy vice versa.
I think it probably depends more on what you are going to do with your ppl and where you will do you flying?
If it's going to be mainly out of airfields like Old Buck, Seething for example, instead of Norwich airport? They are good airfields and as pointed out, will save you a fair amount of cash.
As with all flight training, you should pop over to each airfield you are interested in to have a chat and get a feel for the place first hand.
Good luck with your training!
I think it probably depends more on what you are going to do with your ppl and where you will do you flying?
If it's going to be mainly out of airfields like Old Buck, Seething for example, instead of Norwich airport? They are good airfields and as pointed out, will save you a fair amount of cash.
As with all flight training, you should pop over to each airfield you are interested in to have a chat and get a feel for the place first hand.
Good luck with your training!
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.. I think learning to fly out of a bigger airport certainly helps with your overall confidence. People seem to have no problem with the transition from a bigger airfield to flying out of a smaller one, but don't usually find it as easy vice versa.
Sure Norwich is a great place and the ATC second to none but the attitude to GA over the last few years has driven many away (including me).
And the proposed Class D around Norwich which is under discussion has not yet been kicked into the long grass.
A little bird tells me that a new management structure will attempt to woo back GA by easing red tape: time alone will tell.
If the OP lives near Norwich my advice would be to go and see all the Flying schools at Norwich but also to drop in to Old Buckenham. I don't know anything about Seething, but it's close enough to warrant a visit too.
The notion that a PPL who trained at a small airfield will not be able to cope with procedures at a large commercial airfield is an urban myth.
Last edited by Cusco; 9th May 2010 at 14:48.
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I think there are benefits in learning at a full swing airport, especially procedure wise.
On the other hand learning from a short field will expand the number of aerodromes you will visit including farm strips if you like.
After Norwich (I learned on a PA38 and PA28) I started renting from Modern Air at Fowlmere EGMA , which is a grass relatively short strip (700m). Later I flew Seneca from there.
So both types of aerodromes have their benefits
On the other hand learning from a short field will expand the number of aerodromes you will visit including farm strips if you like.
After Norwich (I learned on a PA38 and PA28) I started renting from Modern Air at Fowlmere EGMA , which is a grass relatively short strip (700m). Later I flew Seneca from there.
So both types of aerodromes have their benefits
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Old Buckenham
I learned to fly there,a very well run professional establishment.
Good experienced instuctors,no hanging around in hold position,grass and tarmac runways,good aircraft PA28-180's and a highly competitive cost structure.
Lister
Good experienced instuctors,no hanging around in hold position,grass and tarmac runways,good aircraft PA28-180's and a highly competitive cost structure.
Lister
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Forget Norwich unless you are happy to spend a lot of money to taxi the aircraft. Norwich are not keen on GA or commercial passengers and I suspect Omniport see the future in developing the airfield for housing.
Seething is not a place where you can turn up with money and learn to fly. They are renowned for being a clique that will take a long time to penetrate.
Old Buck or Shipdam are the best options. OB is quicker to reach from Norwich.
Seething is not a place where you can turn up with money and learn to fly. They are renowned for being a clique that will take a long time to penetrate.
Old Buck or Shipdam are the best options. OB is quicker to reach from Norwich.
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There has been no ab initio training at Shipdham for years - I don't know if that is going to change now that airfields no longer need to be licensed to offer training (Shipdham is unlicensed)
Although I only know Seething as a visitor I have always found it to be friendly and inviting (and no more cliquey than other places). It is, however, correct that you can't just turn up and learn to fly - the airfield is club-run, and it's part of the deal that one has to spend a certain amount of time helping with the running of the place (serving behind the bar, refuelling aircraft, cleaning the premises, whatever).
Beccles is another option - it's in Suffolk (just) but fairly easy to get to from Norwich.
Although I only know Seething as a visitor I have always found it to be friendly and inviting (and no more cliquey than other places). It is, however, correct that you can't just turn up and learn to fly - the airfield is club-run, and it's part of the deal that one has to spend a certain amount of time helping with the running of the place (serving behind the bar, refuelling aircraft, cleaning the premises, whatever).
Beccles is another option - it's in Suffolk (just) but fairly easy to get to from Norwich.
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I learned to fly there,a very well run professional establishment.
Good experienced instuctors,no hanging around in hold position,grass and tarmac runways,good aircraft PA28-180's and a highly competitive cost structure.
Good experienced instuctors,no hanging around in hold position,grass and tarmac runways,good aircraft PA28-180's and a highly competitive cost structure.
I'm based 10 mins from Old Buck and it is our 'gas station'.
While I did not learn there (I learnt at Ipswich a busy grass airfield), I have done my IMCR revals there for the last 12 years.
The CFI is a top bloke, their PA28s are clean, 'management' are friendly and the airfield has a buzz to it.
On top of that the main is tarmac, tho' you can use the grass. And it has runway lighting so night qual is something to look forward to.
I can't see what Norwich offers that Old Buck doesn't apart from a much larger PPL training bill.
Well worth a visit, IMHO Also google and visit their website for details.
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Try Sky Blue Flight Training...he balances using small airfields and Norwich Airport....
Norwich airport is a great place to fly from but at £15 per landing can become expensive when on a circuit detail...
PM me if you need anymore info..
Sky Blue Flight Training - Home
Norwich airport is a great place to fly from but at £15 per landing can become expensive when on a circuit detail...
PM me if you need anymore info..
Sky Blue Flight Training - Home
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Back to the original question.
The answer is that:
1. Undoubtably, you will pay more to learn to fly at Norwich, it's a commercial establishment which has to be commercially viable, I don't agree with the previous attitude of the airport management to G/A but things are changing and hopefully for the better. There are four flying training organisations on the airfield, all offer a very high standard of training and if you learn to fly at Norwich you will get the regular flying experience which will equip you to fly anywhere in the UK without any worries.
2. You could learn to fly elsewhere and there's nothing wrong with doing so at Old Buck, or Seething. Those who have put down Seething forget that, although the way they do things is slightly different, they do have access to some very experienced instructors a couple of them are current very senior captains with major UK airlines. The CFI at Old Buck' is a very good instructor and comes highly recommended, but ultimately neither he or the other instructors don't have anything to beat that those at Norwich or Seething do.
Beccles now have the parachute people to contend with and, as they probably bring more wonga to the place your flying activity could be restricted by their operations.
3. Its entirely up to you where you opt for, but whilst more expensive, learning to fly from a properly equipped regional airport gives you the experience to cope with almost anything.
The answer is that:
1. Undoubtably, you will pay more to learn to fly at Norwich, it's a commercial establishment which has to be commercially viable, I don't agree with the previous attitude of the airport management to G/A but things are changing and hopefully for the better. There are four flying training organisations on the airfield, all offer a very high standard of training and if you learn to fly at Norwich you will get the regular flying experience which will equip you to fly anywhere in the UK without any worries.
2. You could learn to fly elsewhere and there's nothing wrong with doing so at Old Buck, or Seething. Those who have put down Seething forget that, although the way they do things is slightly different, they do have access to some very experienced instructors a couple of them are current very senior captains with major UK airlines. The CFI at Old Buck' is a very good instructor and comes highly recommended, but ultimately neither he or the other instructors don't have anything to beat that those at Norwich or Seething do.
Beccles now have the parachute people to contend with and, as they probably bring more wonga to the place your flying activity could be restricted by their operations.
3. Its entirely up to you where you opt for, but whilst more expensive, learning to fly from a properly equipped regional airport gives you the experience to cope with almost anything.
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Old Buckenham is more expensive than Norwich! They charge £182 per hour. The school I'm flying with at Norwich charge £135 per hour! 
Thats an extra 5 or 6 landings at Norwich or the equivalent of about one hour free in ever four 
Give Anglia Flight at Norwich a call, they have just moved to their own area near the control tower and museum which gives short taxi routes. I learnt with them and had a fantastic time, I still hire from them.
Learning at a large airfield does give you confidence.
Oh and the new managment seem very GA friendly, at least to based aircraft.
Thats an extra 5 or 6 landings at Norwich or the equivalent of about one hour free in ever four Give Anglia Flight at Norwich a call, they have just moved to their own area near the control tower and museum which gives short taxi routes. I learnt with them and had a fantastic time, I still hire from them.
Learning at a large airfield does give you confidence.
Oh and the new managment seem very GA friendly, at least to based aircraft.
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Old Buck was £150/hr last year. I don't know about Norwich, but this was an all-in price. Landings, text books etc were all free. Another important point was that hours paid = log-book hours. I understand that some schools charge by instructor hour.
To the O/P, I suggest you visit all the places that have been recommended. talk through the various topics mentioned, and let us know your conclusions!
To the O/P, I suggest you visit all the places that have been recommended. talk through the various topics mentioned, and let us know your conclusions!
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OB
I didn't know they were charging that either,but it is probably still cheaper if you factor in club membership,free landings,loan of equipment etc.
I know people who have learned at Beccles and liked it ,but they do have the meat bombers there now,which was a nuisance sometimes at Old Buck.
I know people who have learned at Beccles and liked it ,but they do have the meat bombers there now,which was a nuisance sometimes at Old Buck.
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Seething Training
Seething do certainly do things differently, but allow me to add some of the positives, first is the cost. The training aircraft is a very nicely presented Cessna 172 that will cost you about 100.00 an hour to fly. Unless anyone can tell me different I think this must be one of the cheapest in the UK, if not Europe and is certainly cheaper than flying at an American school.
Whilst training, and of course after, you have access to some very experienced instructors. Some people believe that one instructor throughout you training is best. Having trained with 5-6 at Seething I can only say that you will benefit from the experience that all can impart to your training.
As someone else mentioned in the thread, some are current long haul captains on major airlines. They all give their time free hence the low cost of training. (And you are all appreciated by students past and present).
The facilities are excellent, and being improved on all the time. Seething is a members club run by the members for the members and all monies received are re-invested. Soon will see the adition of new training buildings for ground school.
So whats the downside? Do not consider training at Seething of you are in a hurry to get your license. Expect two years. If, like me, you can not afford to train quickly, but want to spread the cost over a sensible and achievable time frame the I do not think that their is anywhere better. A new training manager Dan G is coordinating all training and he can be contacted through the website if anyone wants further information. See you there.
Seething Airfield - Flying Club
Whilst training, and of course after, you have access to some very experienced instructors. Some people believe that one instructor throughout you training is best. Having trained with 5-6 at Seething I can only say that you will benefit from the experience that all can impart to your training.
As someone else mentioned in the thread, some are current long haul captains on major airlines. They all give their time free hence the low cost of training. (And you are all appreciated by students past and present).
The facilities are excellent, and being improved on all the time. Seething is a members club run by the members for the members and all monies received are re-invested. Soon will see the adition of new training buildings for ground school.
So whats the downside? Do not consider training at Seething of you are in a hurry to get your license. Expect two years. If, like me, you can not afford to train quickly, but want to spread the cost over a sensible and achievable time frame the I do not think that their is anywhere better. A new training manager Dan G is coordinating all training and he can be contacted through the website if anyone wants further information. See you there.
Seething Airfield - Flying Club