Advice on PPL training in France

[goldeneagl3]

Hi everyone,

I would like to take a PPL in France, specifically in the Marseille area.

I've seen there are several flight academies in a place called Les Milles (close to Aix en Provence, where I'm living now).

Does anyone know one of these academies? I'm uncertain on where to go (and what to look for) to achieve a PPL license.

Beside prices for flight hours and type of airplane used, what other "drivers" should be considered during the selection of a flight school?

Thanks a lot for your help.

[Melquiades]

Hi!

I was living in Aix en Provence in 2010 and flew for a few months in les Milles in an aeroclub called aeroclub du soleil: Ecole de pilotage d'avion Aéroclub du Soleil 13.
At the time the chief-pilot was an ex-Air France captain, very nice guy, he loved riding his Harley Davidson, he did many times the route 66

In general I was quite happy with them, I prefered them over bigger aeroclubs as they were more human-sized and they managed to work well with a few instructors and the only 3 planes they had (Robins). They were well maintained, they have a workshop on the airfield if I remember correctly.
I already held a PPL so I didn't really train with them but I did some dual with different instructors and they were good, mostly volunteer instructors, like all aeroclubs in France but the ones I flew with were dedicated and really liked to teach flying.

What you should be looking for in an aeroclub, besides what you mentioned, is the availability of the instructors, how many they are and how many pilots in training do they have, so that you get a general idea of how regularly you'll be flying. Ask them to show you around the planes, how is the flying in the area, chat with them to see if the feeling is right or not, which is also an important point.

Flying around Aix is really nice, you have mountains and sea, the airport in itself is comfortable (long runway, controlled airfield) and there is also some traffic, so you'll learn well the handling of the comms. You have also smaller airfields not too far away so you'll see how it is to land on short-grass runways. It's a very windy area so don't be surprised if you have to cancel flights because of this, but it makes for a good training as well.
The only downside is to get to the airport, if you have a car there's no problem but if you go by bus in the long run it's a headache as there aren't many of them that go to the airport.
The best is to go there by bicycle, it makes for a real nice ride in the Provence

Enjoy the city and its sourroundings, I spent a year and a half in Aix and I had a real good time there, there are lots of things to do

Good luck!

PS Are you fluent in french?

[goldeneagl3]

Thanks a lot for your suggestions.

I've been to the airport myself to check the situation, unfortunately the container of the aeroclub du soleil seems to be abandoned.

I hope they've just relocated and not gone bankrupt but i'll try to reach them by phone.

I'm not SO fluent in french, but I'm italian so it's kind of close.. how did you solve this problem? I guess this guy was fluent in english as well being an airline pilot.. but I would need the PPL to be taught in English I guess

Do you still have a contact? If so, could you please send me a private msg?

Cheers!

[Melquiades]

I spoke with one of the instructors, the aeroclub is still up and running, the one abandoned is another one, I'll give you a contact by PM.
Regarding the language problem I solved it by being French but I'm sure you'll find an instructor who speaks english. If not you're half-way through as an Italian!


Have fun