Private flying in Spain - any tips on where to start?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Private flying in Spain - any tips on where to start?
Hi
My family and I are planning to relocate for a year to Spain (probably Valencia or
Barcelona) from our home in Sydney, Australia.
I am a private pilot, licensed in Australia to fly single engine piston driven aircraft of MTOW 5700 kg and under. I'm endorsed to fly Piper Cherokees.
Ideally I'd like to do a few flights when in Spain, to keep in practice and enjoy Spain from the air. I am trying to find out where to start researching this, including the Spanish government/regulatory body for accrediting foreign-qualified pilots, and appropriate flying schools/clubs in and around Valencia/Barcelona. Any hints or tips would be greatly appreciated!
My family and I are planning to relocate for a year to Spain (probably Valencia or
Barcelona) from our home in Sydney, Australia.
I am a private pilot, licensed in Australia to fly single engine piston driven aircraft of MTOW 5700 kg and under. I'm endorsed to fly Piper Cherokees.
Ideally I'd like to do a few flights when in Spain, to keep in practice and enjoy Spain from the air. I am trying to find out where to start researching this, including the Spanish government/regulatory body for accrediting foreign-qualified pilots, and appropriate flying schools/clubs in and around Valencia/Barcelona. Any hints or tips would be greatly appreciated!
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First of all, to fly in Europe you need an EASA license. TBH I don't know how easy it is to convert / validate this. I would suggest you start by either asking CASA or going to the UK CAA website to check. While this - the UK - may sound counter intuitive, dealing with the DGAC in Madrid is something you'll want to avoid. An EASA (formerly JAR) license allows you to fly any a/c registered in Europe, so also covers EC (Spain) regs.
There are a couple of big FTOs in Sabadell (right next to Barcelona) and they may be able to help you. Alternatively, you could contact Aerodynamics Malaga, who do a lot of conversions. Admittedly almost all for commercial licenses, but they are friendly and should be able to at least point you in the right direction. Google all of the above.
Other than that, Spain is a pleasant country to fly in, leaving the often atrocious ATC aside for a moment. Only downside is that a couple of years ago they massively hiked the landing fees at the bigger airports, thus drastically reducing your options. There's also a lot of microlight flying going on.
PS: There is no such thing as an ASIC in Europe
PPS: Valencia must be the most GA-unfriendly airport I have ever encountered!
There are a couple of big FTOs in Sabadell (right next to Barcelona) and they may be able to help you. Alternatively, you could contact Aerodynamics Malaga, who do a lot of conversions. Admittedly almost all for commercial licenses, but they are friendly and should be able to at least point you in the right direction. Google all of the above.
Other than that, Spain is a pleasant country to fly in, leaving the often atrocious ATC aside for a moment. Only downside is that a couple of years ago they massively hiked the landing fees at the bigger airports, thus drastically reducing your options. There's also a lot of microlight flying going on.
PS: There is no such thing as an ASIC in Europe
PPS: Valencia must be the most GA-unfriendly airport I have ever encountered!
Last edited by 172driver; 4th Jan 2013 at 11:56. Reason: typo
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Just around the corner
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi, there´s Barcelona´s Flying Club (AeroClub Barcelona) which has a fleet of about 40 something aircraft which includes single engine piston engine. They have some Cessna´s and Piper´s, not sure exactly which models but you can check their website. AeroClub Barcelona-Sabadell > Inicio
If you were going to Madrid I could help you out better, It´s not far from Barcelona, but either way just PM me if you need anything else
P.S.: I´m in no way associated with them, I´m not making any advertising, just trying to help
If you were going to Madrid I could help you out better, It´s not far from Barcelona, but either way just PM me if you need anything else
P.S.: I´m in no way associated with them, I´m not making any advertising, just trying to help
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Mare Nostrum
Age: 41
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am very familiar with the scene around Barcelona.
First of all, you'll need to convert your license to an EASA one. In Spain, you can take two written exams in Madrid (or it might be three, I can't remember). The fee for the exams is free but you have to get yourself to Madrid. Then you have to make sure you have at least 100hrs TT and do a flight test with an examiner. The Spanish aviation authority is AESA.
The Sabadell airport is the closest GA airport to Barcelona, about 20km from Barcelona city center.
There are a hand full of schools:
Aeroclub Barcelona-Sabadell... AeroClub Barcelona-Sabadell > Inicio Large cost to buy into a membership plus monthly membership dues. It is a social place but if you fly occasionally, probably not worth the cost
Aerolink... AeroLink ť Centro de Formación Aeronáutica Internacional - Aerolink Professional flying school and you can convert your PPL there, but they don't rent planes. You may be able to buy an hour building package but you won't be able to carry a passenger as their insurance policy doesn't allow it
Dreamair (DREAMAIR Formacin - Cursos de piloto privado) ... They have 1 Cessna 152. You can rent it if you buy a minimum of 5 hrs. Rates are comparable to the aero club but without paying the high membership fees
AeroGavina... index Not sure what they offer since the one time I went over there, the door was locked, but one time I got a cold call at my home asking if I was interested in a flight attendant course
If you want to head out a little further, Igualada has a flying club Aeroclub Igualada Odena - Inicio , there are a couple schools in Reus (Tarragona) and two in Girona but they take forever to respond to potential customers and they don't have they act together (specifically referring to the two schools in Girona)
Further up north in Empuriabrava is JIP Aviació. JIP-Aviació They've got a little tecnam and also a nice Cessna 172 (Reims) that you can rent if you purchase a minimum of 5 hours. They will also make you do at least three lessons or more before they will let you start renting because their main business is skydiving and want to make sure you won't interfere with their Twin Otter or Pilatus Porter ops. The downside is that it is over a 90 minute drive from Barcelona, and there are several tolls, but the guys there are cool.
There are also a few ultralight schools dotted around Catalunya and Spain but as I'm not an ultralight pilot and they are typically located away from major airspace, I am not too familiar with them.
Also, I'm not too familiar with the Valencia GA scene.
First of all, you'll need to convert your license to an EASA one. In Spain, you can take two written exams in Madrid (or it might be three, I can't remember). The fee for the exams is free but you have to get yourself to Madrid. Then you have to make sure you have at least 100hrs TT and do a flight test with an examiner. The Spanish aviation authority is AESA.
The Sabadell airport is the closest GA airport to Barcelona, about 20km from Barcelona city center.
There are a hand full of schools:
Aeroclub Barcelona-Sabadell... AeroClub Barcelona-Sabadell > Inicio Large cost to buy into a membership plus monthly membership dues. It is a social place but if you fly occasionally, probably not worth the cost
Aerolink... AeroLink ť Centro de Formación Aeronáutica Internacional - Aerolink Professional flying school and you can convert your PPL there, but they don't rent planes. You may be able to buy an hour building package but you won't be able to carry a passenger as their insurance policy doesn't allow it
Dreamair (DREAMAIR Formacin - Cursos de piloto privado) ... They have 1 Cessna 152. You can rent it if you buy a minimum of 5 hrs. Rates are comparable to the aero club but without paying the high membership fees
AeroGavina... index Not sure what they offer since the one time I went over there, the door was locked, but one time I got a cold call at my home asking if I was interested in a flight attendant course
If you want to head out a little further, Igualada has a flying club Aeroclub Igualada Odena - Inicio , there are a couple schools in Reus (Tarragona) and two in Girona but they take forever to respond to potential customers and they don't have they act together (specifically referring to the two schools in Girona)
Further up north in Empuriabrava is JIP Aviació. JIP-Aviació They've got a little tecnam and also a nice Cessna 172 (Reims) that you can rent if you purchase a minimum of 5 hours. They will also make you do at least three lessons or more before they will let you start renting because their main business is skydiving and want to make sure you won't interfere with their Twin Otter or Pilatus Porter ops. The downside is that it is over a 90 minute drive from Barcelona, and there are several tolls, but the guys there are cool.
There are also a few ultralight schools dotted around Catalunya and Spain but as I'm not an ultralight pilot and they are typically located away from major airspace, I am not too familiar with them.
Also, I'm not too familiar with the Valencia GA scene.
Last edited by zondaracer; 6th Jan 2013 at 19:24.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: london
Age: 60
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You should be able to get a validation of your Australian licence, or even possibly to use it without validation. One can use a USA FAA ppl for example day VFR in a G reg plane without any validation (until 2014 anyhow, when EASA fully kicks in)
Suggest that you google CAP804. This is the UK publication that covers EASA UK licencing issues, whilst not directly relevant to spain, it does give some idea on how foreign validations might work under easa.
It may be easier than you think
A quick google also turned up this advice:
Pilots holding non JAR licences need to obtain a Spanish validation. Go to the Ministerio de Fomento, 67 Paseo de la Castellana, Madrid. Huge government office behind Nuevos Ministerios Metro station. Go to the 7th floor and look for Aviación Civil. There is a sign directing you to PPL aviónes. Here you can fill out the necessary forms. Your passport and licence will be photocopied. Then you have to go to the Bank on the ground floor to pay the outrageous fee of 150 Euros and return to the 7th floor. The licence can be collected in person 7 days later, or by mail.
Hope this helps
Suggest that you google CAP804. This is the UK publication that covers EASA UK licencing issues, whilst not directly relevant to spain, it does give some idea on how foreign validations might work under easa.
It may be easier than you think
A quick google also turned up this advice:
Pilots holding non JAR licences need to obtain a Spanish validation. Go to the Ministerio de Fomento, 67 Paseo de la Castellana, Madrid. Huge government office behind Nuevos Ministerios Metro station. Go to the 7th floor and look for Aviación Civil. There is a sign directing you to PPL aviónes. Here you can fill out the necessary forms. Your passport and licence will be photocopied. Then you have to go to the Bank on the ground floor to pay the outrageous fee of 150 Euros and return to the 7th floor. The licence can be collected in person 7 days later, or by mail.
Hope this helps
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Spain
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In Valencia you can either try Valencia's flying club or Air Serma. Both operate out of Valencia's Airport and Requena's airfield (50km NW), the latter being a good option should you wish to avoid the onerous flying charges applied in Valencia airport.
Aeroclub: Real Aeroclub Valencia. They are based in Valencia's International Airport and they operate a well maintained fleet of pa28s, 172 and a brand new da20.
The other option is AirSerma (Pa28s,172)
ASM: Dónde estamos
Enjoy the experience, happy landings!!
Aeroclub: Real Aeroclub Valencia. They are based in Valencia's International Airport and they operate a well maintained fleet of pa28s, 172 and a brand new da20.
The other option is AirSerma (Pa28s,172)
ASM: Dónde estamos
Enjoy the experience, happy landings!!
Last edited by CRASH TEST; 6th Jan 2013 at 18:33.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: london
Age: 60
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't see why they would stop issuing validations, if I remember correctly there are ICAO rules about acceptance/validation. The only sure way though is to try it. Foreign validations are rarely easy, but can be a rewarding battle ! At the ppl level they are usually straightforward enough, money, time, maybe an airlaw exam and possibly a verification letter. Medical - sometimes, sometimes not. The other option is to use the time to gain the PPL in the foreign country, this is at best a checkride and a medical, plus writtens, because your foreign ICAO training counts toward licence issue, although there are pitfalls. Its a good workout and does ensure your flying is up to scratch and you know the local area and procedures. I'd think that an ICAO ppl would in any case be valid or validatable for day VFR fairly easily. Be interested to know the outcome...
edited: have a look at this link, it may be old but it does talk about PPL validation in spain
Orden FOM/3376/2009, de 26 de noviembre, por la que se modifica la Orden de 21 de marzo de 2000, por la que se adoptan los requisitos conjuntos de aviación para las licencias de la tripulación de vuelo relativos a las condiciones para el ejercicio de
edited: have a look at this link, it may be old but it does talk about PPL validation in spain
Orden FOM/3376/2009, de 26 de noviembre, por la que se modifica la Orden de 21 de marzo de 2000, por la que se adoptan los requisitos conjuntos de aviación para las licencias de la tripulación de vuelo relativos a las condiciones para el ejercicio de
Last edited by custardpsc; 7th Jan 2013 at 02:08.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Having a quick look at the referenced document (don't have time to go through it with fine-toothed comb), I can only see the '100-hour plus air law and human factors' conversion route, which is standard JAR-FCL. Doing this in Spain would entail doing the exams in Spanish, which is why I suggested to the OP to contact the UK CAA where the same route is available, but in English. Probably easier for an Aussie.
I know the DGAC used to do validations back in the 90s, good for something like 9 months, IIRC. However, to the best of my knowledge they ceased to do them once Spain joined JAR-FCL.
How all this works now in the EASA transition period, I have no idea.
On a more general note, you are right about validations - can be a PITA but worth the hassle. I've done a couple, so speak from - sometimes painful! - experience!
I know the DGAC used to do validations back in the 90s, good for something like 9 months, IIRC. However, to the best of my knowledge they ceased to do them once Spain joined JAR-FCL.
How all this works now in the EASA transition period, I have no idea.
On a more general note, you are right about validations - can be a PITA but worth the hassle. I've done a couple, so speak from - sometimes painful! - experience!
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: England
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PPL Licensing possibilities in Spain
a. You can get a validation on your ICAO, non-JAA(/EASA) licence by the departamento de fomento, in Madrid. You will need to provide all your documents, including current CASA medical. There is a charge, and I believe it only lasts for one year, then you have to start again.
b. There is one CAA Registered facility in Jerez, BM Aviation, that can do conversion training, conduct the two required ground exams (UK air law, and Human Performance and Limitations) immediately, administer the PPL skill test when ready, and prepare all the application info to the CAA.
You will need to get a Class 2 medical certificate, in Spain, before, and this will meet the CAA requirements for licence issue. You will be issued with a CAA EASA licence, after that, it is just a matter of revalidating the Certificate of Experience, every 2 years.
b. There is one CAA Registered facility in Jerez, BM Aviation, that can do conversion training, conduct the two required ground exams (UK air law, and Human Performance and Limitations) immediately, administer the PPL skill test when ready, and prepare all the application info to the CAA.
You will need to get a Class 2 medical certificate, in Spain, before, and this will meet the CAA requirements for licence issue. You will be issued with a CAA EASA licence, after that, it is just a matter of revalidating the Certificate of Experience, every 2 years.
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 37
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aviation VIP
I'm also planning to do some flying in Spain and I'm currently looking at a company called Aviation VIP. As far as I can tell they are a certified ATO but I was wondering if anybody has some recent experience with them?
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Surrey, England
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flying in Spain
G'day Dave,
Welcome to Pprune.
I can't help you personally, but over the several years that I have used this website there has been a fair amount written on the subject of flying in Spain. I suggest you use the search facility and just see what it trawls up.
Good luck,
BP.
Welcome to Pprune.
I can't help you personally, but over the several years that I have used this website there has been a fair amount written on the subject of flying in Spain. I suggest you use the search facility and just see what it trawls up.
Good luck,
BP.
