Leicestershire Aero Club and Peterborough Flying School

[LaCreed]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone had any opinions about the flight training offered by the above mentioned schools.

I am hoping to undertake an intensive PPL course this summer and I was hoping to gather opinions before making my decision.

Doing a pprune search I found quite a bit of information about the clubs, most of it positive, but I'm looking for people who have specifically trained for a PPL with one of them. I'm really most interested in what the instructors, facilities and aircraft are like. I've visited them both and they seem friendly enough but its always difficult to gauge without talking to former students.

Of course, if there are any other schools around the area that have stood out, please let me know.

I'll be incredibly grateful for any feedback, this is a huge step for me and I don't want to take it lightly.

Thank you very much!

[S-Works]

Echoromeo, don't you run the Rutkand flying school?

Leicester is a great club, I have been a member there for ten years. I used to ky our if Sibbo and they have some good instructors but it is a bit dead there these days.

I would suggest you visit both and make your mind up. But my recomendation would be Leicester.

[Ds3]

Actually sibbo are a bit short on instructors these days, only one full time and a few part. Planes are good though, the Robins make for a much more interesting learning experience than a Cessna. Runway is waterlogged at the moment which doesn't help though...

Nice little place with adequate facilities, I would recommend it if you're after quite a relaxed approach and fancy a go in something other than a Cessna, but you'll probably find Leicester a more professional outfit.

[foxmoth]

Its that time of day - typing starts to go after a few glasses

[S-Works]

Damn iPad......

[Echo Romeo]

Of course, if there are any other schools around the area that have stood out, please let me know.

Bose, I was just responding to this sentance, and as I have no knowledge of training at Leicester I can't comment, thats all

[S-Works]

I was just reflecting on how strange responding in the 3rd party seemed......

How is ricky getting on?

[Miroku]

Just a thought about the respective airfields.

Leicester has three runways (hard), doesn't have parachuting or pylons and also has a very nice cafe with views of the airfield.
One of Sibson's runways has a 'fold' which nicely launches the aircraft just before take off speed!

I was at Leicester yesterday and was impressed by the whole environement.

[Echo Romeo]

How is ricky getting on?

I know ricky has solo'ed, but nothing else.

[Sir George Cayley]

Now I like Sibson, but there again I like Leicester too. I don't know how to choose.



There's only one way...........




I'll be going now. Hat. Coat.

SGC

[LaCreed]

Thank you all very much for contributing! I'm going to head to both again tomorrow. The guys I spoke to at Sibson were incredibly friendly and helpful but I tend to agree with the opinions that Leicester has its advantages, being busier and having paved runways.

Its made it very difficult to decide because obviously I'd want the sort of personal, helpful service you're bound to get at Sibson but at the same time, I am hoping to keep training towards a CPL and so maybe it would be better to get the PPL at a busier airfield?

Thanks again!

[thing]

Never been to Leicester, it's only a twenty minute hop, must remedy that. Is the cafe/restaurant open all week at lunchtime?

[thing]

Might nip down on Wednesday then. Was going to go to Crosland Moor but the weather looks like it will be fairly pants, but not pants enough to go to Leicester.

By the way went to the Cold War Jets day at Bruntingthorpe today, good day out if anyone wants to go somewhere different.

[taybird]

Leicester's bar is open every lunchtime 364 days a year. Personally, I've found hours in the bar on bad weather days to be a good opportunity to learn what not to do etc. There are a lot of ILAFFT type stories told in any good airfield bar over a pint of weather improver.

Leicester have also started doing CPL training on a small scale, which may be worth considering.

Good luck!

[LaCreed]

I have to say, the bar is a nice bonus and the views are superb. I live pretty much equal distances away from both so that's not an issue. Its still a very hard choice. Im swaying towards Leicester because its quite a bit cheaper as well as offering eventual progression. It is also (marginally) cheaper to rent aircraft after passing the test and membership includes all landing fees for a year although I believe thats the same at Sibson.

Thanks again for all the feedback, its been fantastically helpful!

[Sir George Cayley]

Don't know about Sibson but an important point about Leicester is that it is a true Members Club. The elected committee over the years appear to have dispelled the myth that committees strangle good idea.

It may not influence you decision but I think we should recognise their achievement.

SGC

[Obi_Wan]

And then there's also

LaCreed,

Then there's also the other Peterborough airfield, Conington.
Nice long hard runway, lots of kites to choose from.
Depending where you're based, but if you're looking as far as Sibson, Conington is worth a visit, even just for a good cuppa!

Old Ben

[Kanu]

I did my ppl at Leicester in 2004 with the now cfi. Couldn't recommend the place or the instructors highly enough. Still a member today although never get to fly , memberships worth it for the bar atmosphere anyway.

Best of luck with the ppl\cpl

[LaCreed]

Thanks SGC, I do think that is important. I saw them again today and had a brief chat with one of the instructors, they seem like a really keen and decent bunch and shouldn't have any problem fitting me in for a pretty intensive course.

Oh and thanks for the suggestion Obi Wan but I think Connington is just a tad too far for me to travel every day.

Thanks for the insight Kanu, the upstairs is pretty awesome!

[hlmmic]

The advantage of Leicester (or Conington) is that they have a reciprocal agreement on training flights so there is no landing fee to pay. Worth considering?