PPL License Derbyshire -- Advice Please

[jamesfletcher4]

I am currently serving in the military as an avionics engineer on Sea King aircraft, and have now decided in my mid 20's that I may have made a mistake by not sticking by the pilot route as I was growing up. I was recently flying and decided that it was time to make a change. As I know its costly, I will have to do the flying at weekends at home in Derby. I just wanted some advice really on the best way to proceed with a PPL up to CPL. I interact with pilots daily, but due to professionalism, its very difficult to get any information out of them. Any advice on good flying clubs around Derby and prices? How much are the theory exams? I'm regularly trawling the internet for information however, reading posts such as these are much more informative.

Thanks for your help in advance

[Scott C]

There's a flying school at Derby Airfield, but I learnt at Tatenhill Airfield near Burton-On-Trent and all my instruction has been excellent.

Tatenhill also has a hard runway unlike Derby, which is grass. It could be a big advantage if you're looking to start training within the next 4-6 months, now the winter weather is coming.

[Genghis the Engineer]

My own experience of Tatenhill was unfriendly and hostile, but I have subsequently been assured that that was one a****e with an attitude problem when I visited, and most other opinions I've heard were good. Hopefully he's been euthanised by now.

However, have you checked what's available through the services - particularly the RAF. There are a number of good station flying clubs around the country, and it should also be possible to stay in the appropriate station mess. The savings should be considerable, condition of the aircraft better than most civvie clubs, and the standard of instruction excellent - the services would not permit otherwise.

G

[Scott C]

Genghis, did you happen to fly in at a weekend and was he working in the office?

[Cusco]

AS Geng the Eng says, if you can fly with the RAF it'll be tons cheaper.

Have a look here: I think the mods frown on links on here but perhaps you'll see it before it gets taken down as it's kinda relevant to your aims.

RAF Flying Clubs' Association (RAFFCA) - Homepage

I have sent you a PM with a name to call.

Good luck

Cusco.

[vegancruiser]

Just out of interest, and not wishing to hijack this thread, does anyone know if the RAF flying clubs accept ex-RAF personnel at their preferential rates?

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by Scott C

Genghis, did you happen to fly in at a weekend and was he working in the office?

Saturday 23 June 2012. I got chewed up as I was tying down a flexwing in a gale after an electrical failure that killed my radio and intercom.

My offences were making a non- radio join and taking a flexwing in there. Clearly I should have looked those things up and known they were prohibited before diverting to an unplanned airfield right underneath me. Cost me a tenner as well as he withdrew the airfield from the Strasser scheme on the spot, as well as ordering me to depart as quickly as possible. Not in my opinion somebody who should be be working on a GA airfield.

G

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by vegancruiser

Just out of interest, and not wishing to hijack this thread, does anyone know if the RAF flying clubs accept ex-RAF personnel at their preferential rates?

I used, then as an MoD civilian to belong to a service flying club, as did a number of reservists and ex-servicemen. This was a while ago but my experience was that we were welcome so long as we paid slightly higher fees and pulled our weight in the club.

G

[Rod1]

G the E - you met the good Doctor, he is not the norm.

Rod1

[Oldpilot55]

My club has a reciprocal with Tattenhill and I am of the opinion that they are a friendly bunch.

[ShyTorque]

You could also consider trying Donington Aviation at EMA. As you intend to make a career change to commercial pilot it would be a good idea to get used to flying from a commercial airfield, from day one.

[jamesfletcher4]

Thank you for your responses, absolutely spot on! I have sent an email to Tatenhill as I've heard other good stories too. Thank you for the link, I shall have a good read, although I'm based at Yeovilton and in the RN, I think the RAF may not like me too much, even though I was an air cadet as a kid! I have tried contacting the flying school here as I heard that the rates and experience of flying out of a slightly busier airfield were beneficial.
Thanks again for all your responses, its greatly appreciated

[LAI]

Hi James,

Definitely don't write off the service flying clubs if they're a convenient option, for all the reasons that GtE mentioned. The RAF Flying Clubs are tri-service, not reserved for RAF only (the two I instruct at both have many RN and Army members)!

You may also be able to use ELCAS, if you have them available, to help with the cost of your PPL.

If you want some more info on that side of things, feel free to PM me.

[Genghis the Engineer]

You could try contacting the "Bustard Flying Club" at Boscombe Down - not too bad a drive, with all the service club benefits, albeit on a mixed military / civvie establishment.

The RAF, as you've probably noticed, is somewhat busy supporting various wars at the moment. This does mean that a lot of the key people can be out of comms for periods of time - just be politely persistent in trying to contact service clubs at the moment.

G the E - you met the good Doctor,

A pathologist I hope - I can't imagine many other types of patient coping with his bedside manner very well.

G

[squawking 7700]

Yeovilton has a flying and gliding club based on the station, it would be worth contacting them.

Nothing wrong with Tatenhill and Derby though.

If you have to fly at weekends from the Derby area it depends which side of Derby you are, if you're on the north side Netherthorpe (Phoenix Flying School) is an option.
If you're on the east side then Donair or Tollerton may be an option.


7700

[Pilot.Lyons]

I fly at tatenhill like scott c and i know exactly what and who he is on about.

I tend to avoid flying at the weekends.... That says a lot in my book

[Dave Wilson]

Just out of interest, and not wishing to hijack this thread, does anyone know if the RAF flying clubs accept ex-RAF personnel at their preferential rates?

Yes. I fly from a service club at the same rates as everyone else and I left the RAF yonks ago. The wealth of flying experience (and stories!) is priceless. I've belonged to civilian clubs and would pick my particular RAFFCA club anyday. Can't speak for the other clubs but mine is excellent, plus it's a full ATC airfield with landing aids so your IMC rating is actually useful in a practical sense rather than it being a 'get out of jail' card.

[Ian_coop0154]

Tatenhill flying club or halfpenny?

Hi guys, I saw this old feed regarding clubs. I want to start flying and get my PPL. I live in Stafford and not sure who to try.(halfpenny or Tatenhill?)

When I look at prices, again I'm not sure. Can any one tell me how much a flying lesson is And if I was to have a lesson once a month would that be ok?

I used to fly Gliders at Sighford gliding club when I was 16, now I'm 33 and fancy flying something with an engine. Can some one please advice??