Denham (EGLD) TPC or Cabair help me decide
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Join Date: Feb 2008
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Denham (EGLD) TPC or Cabair help me decide
Hi both of the schools at EGLD seem to be good.
Cabair has the better fleet and is the most expensive.
TPC seem to be more reasonable on the price.
Saying that neither are cheap and if I decided to take some more lessons.
1. I want the best value for my money.
2. Have the best instruction.
I,m 34 and on the verge of being made redundant. And my dream is to become an airline pilot, although it might be to late now.
But what school would be the better choice for me here?
Thanks
Cabair has the better fleet and is the most expensive.
TPC seem to be more reasonable on the price.
Saying that neither are cheap and if I decided to take some more lessons.
1. I want the best value for my money.
2. Have the best instruction.
I,m 34 and on the verge of being made redundant. And my dream is to become an airline pilot, although it might be to late now.
But what school would be the better choice for me here?
Thanks
have you looked at any of the other schools in your area, like white waltham?
i use cabair (at elstree) and i'm enjoying every bit of it. why not go to each of the schools and try a 1 hour lesson to see if you like it?
i use cabair (at elstree) and i'm enjoying every bit of it. why not go to each of the schools and try a 1 hour lesson to see if you like it?
Join Date: Jun 2010
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I can't say much about TPC, but I do have experience of Cabair.
Cabair have some very nice aircraft, usually well maintained (I say usually, I've had no problem on about 95% of my flights with Cabair's aircraft), and have some excellent instruction. The only real issue with Cabair is that they really are only interested in the money. At present, there is a question of legality being raised at a flying school run by Cabair, over a decision that HQ made regarding fees.
As far as I'm aware, a CAA initiative states that flying schools are "expected" to be allowed to allocate 0.2 hours to taxi time, i.e. 6 minutes before takeoff, 6 minutes after landing. This allows for 0.8 horus flying time. Recently, Cabair HQ have decided, off their own backs, that they will charge 0.3 for taxi time; 9 minutes out, 9 minutes in. Now, a total of 18 minutes of taxi time is like taxying from the North end of the North Terminal at Gatwick to one of the J holds at the West end, holding short of 08R. I have yet to experience a total taxi time in a flight of 18 minutes, even on my visit to Biggin, waiting for IFR departures ahead of me and wake vortex separation. This means that my £200 odd now only constitues 0.7 hours of flight; technically I am paying the same, and getting less.
Classic Cabair foolery. If you have the money to spend, I'd go with Cabair, purely for the nice fleet and decent instructors. If money is tight for you, I would look for other options if there are better around.
Cabair have some very nice aircraft, usually well maintained (I say usually, I've had no problem on about 95% of my flights with Cabair's aircraft), and have some excellent instruction. The only real issue with Cabair is that they really are only interested in the money. At present, there is a question of legality being raised at a flying school run by Cabair, over a decision that HQ made regarding fees.
As far as I'm aware, a CAA initiative states that flying schools are "expected" to be allowed to allocate 0.2 hours to taxi time, i.e. 6 minutes before takeoff, 6 minutes after landing. This allows for 0.8 horus flying time. Recently, Cabair HQ have decided, off their own backs, that they will charge 0.3 for taxi time; 9 minutes out, 9 minutes in. Now, a total of 18 minutes of taxi time is like taxying from the North end of the North Terminal at Gatwick to one of the J holds at the West end, holding short of 08R. I have yet to experience a total taxi time in a flight of 18 minutes, even on my visit to Biggin, waiting for IFR departures ahead of me and wake vortex separation. This means that my £200 odd now only constitues 0.7 hours of flight; technically I am paying the same, and getting less.
Classic Cabair foolery. If you have the money to spend, I'd go with Cabair, purely for the nice fleet and decent instructors. If money is tight for you, I would look for other options if there are better around.
Join Date: Sep 2006
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TPC are a very good outfit. I did my PPL there a while back but keep in touch with most of the people. I think it is a more friendly and less pompous atmosphere - but ultimately it is whom you feel comfortable with. Economically it is a no brainer TPC wins.
They are also based on the Cafe side so the Coffee is better
I would suggest you go and have a talk with them if you have not already. Also a little birdy tells me they may be able to do the CPL there soon aswell.
DF.
They are also based on the Cafe side so the Coffee is better
I would suggest you go and have a talk with them if you have not already. Also a little birdy tells me they may be able to do the CPL there soon aswell.
DF.
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TPC wins for me as well.
The aeroplanes are no worse than Cabair and the prices are certainly much more visible and transparent. No fuel surcharge, no landing fee and including VAT. Airborne time + 5 mins either side.
TPC also offer a discount scheme...as will most flying schools.
Instructors are good on both sides....so I don't think that would be an issue.
I've also heard the CPL will be offered by TPC shortly.
Go visit, as DF says, and se for yourself. Its not just money that's important, it's about feeling comfortable.
D2L
The aeroplanes are no worse than Cabair and the prices are certainly much more visible and transparent. No fuel surcharge, no landing fee and including VAT. Airborne time + 5 mins either side.
TPC also offer a discount scheme...as will most flying schools.
Instructors are good on both sides....so I don't think that would be an issue.
I've also heard the CPL will be offered by TPC shortly.
Go visit, as DF says, and se for yourself. Its not just money that's important, it's about feeling comfortable.
D2L
Join Date: Jan 2002
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TPC all the way. I renewed my PPL there a couple of years ago and was treated very well and enjoyed every minute. Will be going back shortly to do the same. I have no experience of Cabair so can't compare.
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Cabair is expensive and corporate, TPC is less expensive and not corporate.
I trained with cabair but now rent from TPC.
Both are good but one ticks more boxes than the other for me.
Being made redundant is the PERFECT excuse to start ATPL training and at 34 you're just a babe in arms. Just make sure you get a class one medical before you commit..
When would "now" be a good time?
I trained with cabair but now rent from TPC.
Both are good but one ticks more boxes than the other for me.
Being made redundant is the PERFECT excuse to start ATPL training and at 34 you're just a babe in arms. Just make sure you get a class one medical before you commit..
When would "now" be a good time?
Join Date: Jun 2010
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Have you looked at Wycombe Air Park (WAP)?
I trained with British Airways Flying Club (now Airways Flying Club) having taken 3 trial flights from 3 different airfields! Then later took the commercial modular route.
Excellent training, v.well maintained & hangered aircraft, excellent club facilities (including PA28 simulator), full ATC + full time fire cover at WAP and not as expensive as Cabair.
Don't forget that even if you take a few trial lessons at different places you can still log the hours. That way you get a better overview of what the flying schools and instructors are like.
Hope the advice helps!
Good luck
I trained with British Airways Flying Club (now Airways Flying Club) having taken 3 trial flights from 3 different airfields! Then later took the commercial modular route.
Excellent training, v.well maintained & hangered aircraft, excellent club facilities (including PA28 simulator), full ATC + full time fire cover at WAP and not as expensive as Cabair.
Don't forget that even if you take a few trial lessons at different places you can still log the hours. That way you get a better overview of what the flying schools and instructors are like.
Hope the advice helps!
Good luck
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Another vote for TPC
Family run business, good regular instructors who are there because they love flying and not because they want to get hours and move onto big jets.
Very friendly, and priced right.
Their PA28s are some of the most "modern" I've seen at London flying schools too .. Well maintained obviously but just "tidy" too.
Good advice to try lessons with both schools, but if you're set on learning at Denham then you won't go wrong with TPC.
The other alternative I'd recommend is The Great Circle up in York. Adam does a comprehensive Fast Track PPL course and he is an excellent instructor both for ground and in the air, and Full Sutton is a nice strip. I completed my PPL with them (before I discovered TPC) and ended up doing my IMC with him too.
It depends if you want to get it all done in a few weeks, or spend a few months /years(?) doing it at a slower pace..... ??
Family run business, good regular instructors who are there because they love flying and not because they want to get hours and move onto big jets.
Very friendly, and priced right.
Their PA28s are some of the most "modern" I've seen at London flying schools too .. Well maintained obviously but just "tidy" too.
Good advice to try lessons with both schools, but if you're set on learning at Denham then you won't go wrong with TPC.
The other alternative I'd recommend is The Great Circle up in York. Adam does a comprehensive Fast Track PPL course and he is an excellent instructor both for ground and in the air, and Full Sutton is a nice strip. I completed my PPL with them (before I discovered TPC) and ended up doing my IMC with him too.
It depends if you want to get it all done in a few weeks, or spend a few months /years(?) doing it at a slower pace..... ??
Join Date: Jul 2010
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Midiman
Midiman - I notice you started learning to at the Pilot Centre. How has it gone so far. I am interested because I have just started with them. I live in Ruislip so it was the obvious choice. If you want to e mail me direct [email protected] regards Chas
