Advanced PPL course

[EC DKN]

Hi people,

I am thinking of doing an advanced PPL in order to improve my flying skills.

Anyone has used Westbeach Flying School and their Advanced PPL?

Thanks in advance!

[High_Expect]

Is an Advanced PPL a CPL? ;-)

[BroomstickPilot]

Ultimate High

Hi EC DKN,

I know nothing of Westbeach Flying School.

The people who used to offer a range of well regarded advanced flying training courses for PPLs, including an advanced PPL, were 'Ultimate High'.

So if you use the search facility on this website I'm sure you will find some opinions on UH.

Good luck!

BP.

[Pace]

Hi

If you want to do an advanced PPL why not consider a course of aerobatics as that will improve your flying skills and confidence no end

Pace

[Big Pistons Forever]

Originally Posted by Pace

Hi

If you want to do an advanced PPL why not consider a course of aerobatics as that will improve your flying skills and confidence no end

Pace

[EC DKN]

Could be! Thank you guys!

[BackPacker]

Although I fully agree that an aeros course will improve your handling skills to no end, handling skills are not the only things I would consider part of an advanced PPL.

I would also suggest:
- Advanced navigation (well beyond what you've done on the PPL course, using anything from pure DR to advanced GPS tricks)
- Flying with limited visibility/entry to the IMC course
- Minimum level flying/navigation (aka "scud running", but done without busting safety minima)
- Cross-channel checkout and other international flying
- Advanced/max performance landing and take-off - visiting short grass strips and such
- High altitude flight - proper leaning - oxygen use

[Genghis the Engineer]

I did an advanced PPL course once, but they called it a CPL.

Strikes me that if you're unhappy about any aspect of your skill, just fly with a suitably experienced and qualified instructor and ask them to provide you with some remedial instruction.

If you just want to up your flying standards, pick something that's new and do that - floatplane, tailwheel, instructor, aerobatics - the list of stuff available is pretty much endless (or at least, most of us will never afford to go down everything that's on the list). For me, most recently that was an aerobatic refresher having not spun an aeroplane for three years - did me a world of good and I really must go back and do some more.

G

[worldpilot]

Post PPL, your options depend on your financial strength and flying regime.

Assuming you're a good weather pilot, you could advance your flying skills by transitioning to a more complex aircraft with advanced avionics. Mastering the flight envelope of a complex aircraft and its instrumentation will elevate your capabilities of navigation any airspace with greater confidence.

If your intentions are directed towards flying in the clouds and bad weather, an instrument rating is the right cetification to attain.

You're the pilot in command, so you have to determined the best route forward.

WP

[foxmoth]

Some good suggestions here, certainly an Aeros course will teach you a lot, but the Advanced PPL course as run by UH covers areas that most PPLs are weak on and, whilst an intro to aeros is included, has a much wider syllabus than the aeros course.

[EC DKN]

Thank you guys for all the advices!

I do not doubt that the UH advanced PPL is the best in the market but their price is 3.550£!!!!

Too expensive in my humble opinion!

[Genghis the Engineer]

As it's not a recognised qualification, you don't need a training establishment to deliver it anyhow.

If you want to learn this stuff, find a good experienced instructor - preferably one who has done a significant amount of "real" professional or private flying themselves, and just ask them to do it for you. It doesn't even need to be in a school - you just need the aeroplane and instructor.

Tell us where in Europe you're based, and I'm willing to bet you'll get some good recommendations.

G

[9 lives]

EC, I echo those who recommend aerobatics, tailwheel or float flying. Those will be the very best to help you improve hands and feet skills. A CPL course will just do the PPL skills to a higher standard, which may not be what you're looking for.

I suggest away from an "advanced PPL" course, unless you know it contains exactly the training that you know you would like to have. Even taking an hour a month of good aerobatic instruction, while you continue regular PPL flying, will make yo a better pilot.

Pick a skill, and develop it, then go one to the next. Though you won't be flying aeros in the weekly rental Cessna or Piper, the skills of precise flying within the "normal" realm, can be practiced when you fly general maneuvering.

[OpenCirrus619]

Check out Irv Lee - UK Pilot Mentoring, Aviation Seminars, Artcles, Consultancy CAA/JAA/SA Approved Flying Instruction

I believe Irv Lee give "PPL Masterclasses" - which sounds like what you are after.

I haven't flown with him myself - but his presentations at FI Seminars are always good value.

OC619

[Genghis the Engineer]

I have flown with Irv (and at one point hired him to teach meteorology to university students). He is an excellent instructor.

Whether he's the right man for the OP, only he can decide.

G

[worldpilot]

EC DKN wrote:

I do not doubt that the UH advanced PPL is the best in the market but their price is 3.550£!!!!

Too expensive in my humble opinion!

Even though flying isn't cheap, for that kind of money you should be able to get more than 20 hours of flying time on a C172 of which, if properly planned, could elevate your skills substantially.

The Advanced PPL course is just 5 hours and I personally won't pay that much money for the advertised syllabus. I'm not convinced about the outcomes and value.

WP

[EC DKN]

Thank you guys for all the advices! Always is grateful to see nice people out there!

Probably, I'm going to do the aerobatic rating in Fly-in-Spain as they are using the Extra 200. But firstly, I need 40 PIC!