How do you decide which Airfield to study at?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 24
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From: Yorkshire
How do you decide which Airfield to study at?
I'm finally in a financial position to undertake PPL training and as far as I can tell I can choose between Sherburn Aero Club, Hull Aero Club or Full Sutton Airfield.
Given the distances from me are about the same, how do I decide which is most appropriate for my needs (just a PPL to start)?
Given the distances from me are about the same, how do I decide which is most appropriate for my needs (just a PPL to start)?
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,042
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From: Oxford
You ask on an internet forum for recommendations... which you're about to get, I hope!
Or, you ask them to put you in touch with satisfied customers.
DON'T PAY UP FRONT unless you can do so with a credit card, in case the company goes bust. I did it and got away with it, but lots haven't.
Or, you ask them to put you in touch with satisfied customers.
DON'T PAY UP FRONT unless you can do so with a credit card, in case the company goes bust. I did it and got away with it, but lots haven't.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 178
From: UK
Visit them, pay for a trial lesson at each, decide which you feel most comfortable learning at, and which instructor you feel most comfortable sitting next to learning from inside a small metal box for 50 odd hours.
And if, after that, you still aren't sure - go with the cheapest of the good ones.
G
And if, after that, you still aren't sure - go with the cheapest of the good ones.
G
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,807
Likes: 10
From: Ansião (PT)
I agree with GtE (not for the first time ...) : where you learn is rather irrelevant, what plane you learn on is not too important either, though it is nice if you can learn on a plane similar to the one you expect to be eventually flying for yourself.
But the most important is to train with an instructor that suits you. Myself was a slow learner, and took some time and some disappointments to find the required kind soul with sufficient patience.
On a secondary note, though, you might wish to avoid busy aerodromes where one can spend eternities at the threshold, waiting for a take-off clearance, while the Hobbs counters run both on the plane and on the instructor - passing your precious money to no good use.
PS the warning by @tmmorris cannot be over-emphasised! Too many brave students have seen their precious money disappear up that chimney!
But the most important is to train with an instructor that suits you. Myself was a slow learner, and took some time and some disappointments to find the required kind soul with sufficient patience.
On a secondary note, though, you might wish to avoid busy aerodromes where one can spend eternities at the threshold, waiting for a take-off clearance, while the Hobbs counters run both on the plane and on the instructor - passing your precious money to no good use.
PS the warning by @tmmorris cannot be over-emphasised! Too many brave students have seen their precious money disappear up that chimney!
