Cranfield Airport

[eome]

Hi there!

Next year I will be starting a course at Cranfield University. Since the University is right next to Cranfield airport I think it would be a crime not to make the most of this oppurtunity and learn to fly at the same time (which is something I've been wanting to do for a while now).

There seems to be several flying schools/clubs based on Cranfield airport. Which one would you recommend for PPL training?

Thanks.

[Genghis the Engineer]

There are three schools at Cranfield at the moment: Billins, Bonus and Cranfield Flying School.

Billins is a friendly and relatively inexpensive, but small, flying club/school with a handful of aeroplanes.

Bonus is a large and well regarded commercial school, who can take you all the way to fATPL, and have a lot more aeroplanes, they are a little more expensive.

CFS has changed its name a few times over the years, and is basically Coulson Aviation of old. It seems to sit somewhere between the two in the way it's run. Personally I always found David Coulson rather hard work, but equally he is little seen on campus these days and they seem to be operating reasonable aeroplanes with sensible instructors.

I've flown with all three, and each have strengths and weaknesses. On net however, I think I'd recommend Billins for NPPL/PPL/IMC, and Bonus for anything beyond that. I'm not sure that I see real benefits at CFS over the other two players.

There is also a Thompson flying club there, about which I know little I'm afraid so I can't really comment - good or bad.

G

[Airbusboy]

Having followed Genghis advice recently for my Night rating, I would recommend Bonus Aviation. Friendly, professional and nice fleet of Piper Tomahawks.

[kesikun]

I would recommend CFS (Cranfield Flying School) after 40hours training to a PPL with them ... good instructors ,friendly staff. .. Always made to feel welcome. even when booked aircraft "go tech" they are always willing to keep you happy with alternatives

When you get a chance drop in and have a chat with them...

[Bear 555]

There's also, I believe, the opportunity to train with the Unversity themselves (School of Engineering) to PPL - although it may be an expensive option compared to the others, with their Bulldog being more costly to maintain.

[eome]

Thanks for the replies.

There's also, I believe, the opportunity to train with the Unversity themselves (School of Engineering) to PPL - although it may be an expensive option compared to the others, with their Bulldog being more costly to maintain.

I will in fact be doing an engineering course but I wasn't aware they offered PPL training. I will look into it.

Most likely, for me its going to be between Billins or Bonus. I will visit them both at some stage.

Although I have no intention of getting a CPL does the fact that Bonus aviation does CPL courses a plus side in terms of the quality of their instructors and professionalism?

Thanks.

[Genghis the Engineer]

I've done courses with both. I'd say that for PPL level training there's little to choose between the professionalism and quality of the instructors in the two schools.

Bonus looks posher (uniforms, gold bars on instructors shoulders, nicer building), but I wouldn't read anything particualrly into that - good or bad.

Best thing is just make appointments to go and see both, and perhaps get a first flying lesson with both.

Enjoy Cranfield, it's a fantastic institution and the MSc programmes in particular are legendary. Take any subsidised flying opportunities that present from the university! As well as, not instead of, doing your PPL!


Incidentally - yes I agree that the PA38 is a nice training aeroplane, and Bonus have a number of them which are all perfectly adequate for PPL training.

Billins have a C150 and a couple of AA5s. Personally I much prefer the AA5 over the C150, even if it is a little more expensive. Roomier, better view, better handling, better instrument fit and better performance. On the other hand, if you are doing things as cheaply as possible, then there's nothing actually wrong with the C150 which is an excellent training aeroplane.

For basic PPL training, not much to choose between the AA5 and the PA38; the PA38 is lower performance with a more basic instrument fit, but I really wouldn't let that worry you either. Both are great for PPL training.

G

[eome]

Billins offers the following package:
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JAA P.P.L Package - £6299
Payable in 5 instalments:

• £499*
• £1400 after 3 hours
• £1800 after 10 hours
• £2200 after 20 hours
• £400 after 25 hours

Includes 45 hours training, briefings, base landing fees & 7 written exams.
(£713 discount on pay as you go)
* First payment includes Pilots logbook, C150 Checklist & volume 1 Flight Training Manual for free


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I know the usual advice is not to pay anything upfront, but the fact that its payable in instalments virtually eliminates any financial risk. To me it seems like a good offer. What does everyone else think?


Thanks.

[Genghis the Engineer]

I know Billins well and don't think they seem in any sudden danger of going bust, nor have then seemed dishonest to me.

But, I'd still offer the same advice I'd give anywhere - look at those equations and work out the worst case: if the company falls over at the worst possible point, how much money would you lose? Can you afford to lose that?

G

[wsmempson]

If you go down this road of paying people in advance (which I wouldn't, if I were you) please make sure that you pay with a credit card, as at least then you will have some chance of getting your money pack if the school goes belly-up. FWIW, this forum is littered with old threads about reputable (and not so reputable) flying schools and clubs going under, owing students loads of money.

[Pitch+Power]

http://www.cranfieldflyingschool.com...Quote_C152.pdf

Here is some information on price at CFS
They have tried to include everything in the bottom line price. Bear in mind you should budget to go over minimum hours ( may or may not, but best be prepared)

At CFS you can pay each day after you fly, no money at all needed up front.

All 3 schools have their merits, and all very close, so I suggest a visit to all.

[captain_flynn]

As others have said, Bonus is a good flying school! I've flown a few hours in their 2 C150's.

Thomson flying club is now called Azure flying club. They are worth a visit aswell. A friend of mine (that is also cranfield ATC) works there and speaks highly of them.

Whoever you chose to fly with I wish you good luck with your training. I enjoy flying from Cranfield and there are certainly some nice people to meet there.

[Sir George Cayley]

Is the option of paying with a credit card available? Even if there's a small handling fee, the protection afforded by the Bank could outweigh the losses if the school goes into administration.

That said the demise of Cabair and others may have helped those left trading by picking up floating students.

SGC

[Winhern]

Azure

Have sent you a PM re Azure.

W

[dwshimoda]

Can't speak of any of the other schools at Cranfield but having gone all the way from PPL to MEIR with Billins Air Services, I'd go there every time.

I know they don't do the full range of training now, but a few years ago they did. I went round OAA, Cabair, Bournemouth and many others. The thing that sold me on Billins is that it is small, friendly (help yourself to tea & biscuits) but if you want to learn properly you will be made to do so. The instruction is great, and if you work hard, the flying / training becomes easier.

I think I owe much to Billins Air Services to the fact I now fly 757's.

If I was starting again, I'd go there again.

DW.

Edited to add: oh yeah, going since the 90's so business wise very solid. However if you wish to pay up front (caveat emptor) there used to be good discounts available for small block times - not the whole course.

[poptones]

flying at cranfield

i have flown with all three and personally choose Cranfield Flying School. The head of training at Bonus is leaving and they may lose their approvals until a new training head is found. financially, the talk in the cafe is that bonus are struggling.

the course director of the msc aerospace vehicle design has been telling all of us to do our ppl with cranfield flying school as they have a special relationship. having looked at the fleet, and counting how many planes sit on the grass line, i reckon CFS has the largest fleet now that cabair are no longer on the airfield.

the other thing i found in terms of attitude over the other two schools is that CFS seems to have an equal amount of women to men, and there is alot of disabled people flying with ppls etc using hand controls. this to me seems more inclusive then others and rather open minded. I started my ppl with billons but found the 1 instructor to look constantly bored and as if he would be somewhere else. the prices at CFS influenced me to try them and it seems, not only are they the cheapest, (including hour building - which I plan on doing) but they have a good team around them. I know what ghensis means about David, but you just get on and do you thing.. overall egtc is a good place to fly from and out of the olympic restriction zone.

[AC-DC]

I did my PPL with Bonus when David Coulson instructed for the CPL/ATPL and IR, now David runs his own school. David is a hard man with high flying standards and high abilities who flew the B29 among other, with so much experience one can learn lots from such a person!
Just smile when he vents or call 100 miles final, pick the important and the good and let go the rest.

[pitofrost]

Did my PPL last year with Billins and found them excellent. I would recommend them but a lot is personal preference. I did trial flights with Bonus and Cabair(!) along with a three axis microlight school (not at Cranfield) before settling with Billins, trying a few schools to see which is right for you is probably the way to go. Billins give you free sweets though....

[poptones]

at cranfield uni we sometimes get free sandwiches depending on the event. a few of us from the msc aerospace vehicle design course now organise our flight training on the same day from cranfield flying school and we always get given donuts, chocolate and now its easter, there was lots of easter eggs for everyone. mmm, chocolate. there was a imc student on tue who came with a big box of curry for people. anyway, we have been asked by the school to product test some new aviation equipmemt. the school always seems to be testing new equipment for companies that are yet to be launched.. which is nice, as we get given stuff to review. i got the airbox clarity gps and my buddy got a aware 5 i think, its orange colour. finshed my solo cicuits now and doing my 5th ground exam, flight planning. we did a trip to sibson to get cheap fuel. if you have yet to try landing on a short field, this place is exciting in lots of ways, trees electricity pilons to name a few was fun and the take off over the trees was good too.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Is Cranfield really recruiting postgraduate students who can't use capital letters or paragraphs?

G