North London Flying group recommendations and opinions
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North London Flying group recommendations and opinions
Hi All,
I have recently got my PPL, and am working towards my ATPL. I have been looking for a share in an aircraft around North London/Cambridge area for me to fly on weekends, and take away on occasional trips. I have so far not found anything (although I am still looking, and waiting to see 1 or 2), however I am wondering now if I should be considering a non equity flying group instead.
I would appreciate peoples opinions and experience with these groups. I am mainly concerned about air craft availability, and being able to take the aircraft away for weekend trips etc, as well as the overall cost for me during my hours building phase (would it be substantially more than buying a share?). I have just had a look at the North Weald website, and that would be an example of what I am looking at. If any one could share their experience with them that would be appreciated. And I would like to hear of any other groups such as this in the North London area which people recommend.
Thanks in advance for any help.
PS
I have recently got my PPL, and am working towards my ATPL. I have been looking for a share in an aircraft around North London/Cambridge area for me to fly on weekends, and take away on occasional trips. I have so far not found anything (although I am still looking, and waiting to see 1 or 2), however I am wondering now if I should be considering a non equity flying group instead.
I would appreciate peoples opinions and experience with these groups. I am mainly concerned about air craft availability, and being able to take the aircraft away for weekend trips etc, as well as the overall cost for me during my hours building phase (would it be substantially more than buying a share?). I have just had a look at the North Weald website, and that would be an example of what I am looking at. If any one could share their experience with them that would be appreciated. And I would like to hear of any other groups such as this in the North London area which people recommend.
Thanks in advance for any help.
PS
Non equity is hire, just by a slightly different financial mechanism. It really has no different position to joining a club and renting their aircraft - and you should regard it in that light. You should treat it in the same way as you would joining a flying club. Is it well looked after? Is it value for money? Are there other aircraft available if it's in for the annual? Are the rules flexible enough to allow what you want to do?
If you want a share, with the flexibility and control (and risks, and low flying costs - usually) that go with that, you need to keep looking for a real syndicate.
North London to Cambridge, the first place I think I'd be looking is North Weald. Don't expect everything to be online - go there, look at noticeboards, chat to people.
G
If you want a share, with the flexibility and control (and risks, and low flying costs - usually) that go with that, you need to keep looking for a real syndicate.
North London to Cambridge, the first place I think I'd be looking is North Weald. Don't expect everything to be online - go there, look at noticeboards, chat to people.
G
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Non equity is hire, just by a slightly different financial mechanism. It really has no different position to joining a club and renting their aircraft - and you should regard it in that light. You should treat it in the same way as you would joining a flying club. Is it well looked after? Is it value for money? Are there other aircraft available if it's in for the annual? Are the rules flexible enough to allow what you want to do?
If you want a share, with the flexibility and control (and risks, and low flying costs - usually) that go with that, you need to keep looking for a real syndicate.
North London to Cambridge, the first place I think I'd be looking is North Weald. Don't expect everything to be online - go there, look at noticeboards, chat to people.
G
If you want a share, with the flexibility and control (and risks, and low flying costs - usually) that go with that, you need to keep looking for a real syndicate.
North London to Cambridge, the first place I think I'd be looking is North Weald. Don't expect everything to be online - go there, look at noticeboards, chat to people.
G
Just trying to figure out what would be best for my circumstances.... I like the idea of shared ownership, as I would like to continue to fly something after I have done my hours building, without shelling out £130 ph.
I'm not all that familiar with North Weald (although the North Weald Flying Group seems quite well regarded) but I'm a parallel and serial share owner over about a quarter century. Generally in a good group, even a big one, you'll get a better aeroplane, cheaper, with better availability than renting - often aeroplanes you couldn't rent at-all. The price is a bit of capital, and the commitment to muck in and help look after the aeroplane a bit, and things being in the doldrums occasionally when the aeroplane's in for maintenance.
I can't think that either of the syndicates I'm presently in would bat an eyelid if I wanted to take the aeroplane away 2 days a month, so long as it wasn't always at weekends.
G
I can't think that either of the syndicates I'm presently in would bat an eyelid if I wanted to take the aeroplane away 2 days a month, so long as it wasn't always at weekends.
G
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I'm not all that familiar with North Weald (although the North Weald Flying Group seems quite well regarded) but I'm a parallel and serial share owner over about a quarter century. Generally in a good group, even a big one, you'll get a better aeroplane, cheaper, with better availability than renting - often aeroplanes you couldn't rent at-all. The price is a bit of capital, and the commitment to muck in and help look after the aeroplane a bit, and things being in the doldrums occasionally when the aeroplane's in for maintenance.
I can't think that either of the syndicates I'm presently in would bat an eyelid if I wanted to take the aeroplane away 2 days a month, so long as it wasn't always at weekends.
G
I can't think that either of the syndicates I'm presently in would bat an eyelid if I wanted to take the aeroplane away 2 days a month, so long as it wasn't always at weekends.
G
Last edited by PelicanSquawk; 30th May 2018 at 15:11.
As do I - but I build a lot of flexibility into my life. My take on this would be that you want to just take a good look at the rules, booking diary and tech log (for what was actually flown) of any possible syndicate aeroplane. Don't count anything automatically in, or out, of your reckoning before you've done that.
G
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I was a member of NWFG for a couple of years before buying my own aircraft and still fly from North Weald and can say in my experience NWFG is a well run group with a number of good nice condition aircraft at a reasonable price. Availability can be a bit limited when the weather is good but this is no different in any group and just means a bit more planning ahead however I never found it to be an issue and I mostly flew on the weekends. They also run a number of group trips which are good fun and a great way to spread you wings and fly with some other like minded pilots.
They also have a flying school attached so there is never a shortage of instructors to give you guidance if needed.
They also have a flying school attached so there is never a shortage of instructors to give you guidance if needed.
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I was a member of NWFG for a couple of years before buying my own aircraft and still fly from North Weald and can say in my experience NWFG is a well run group with a number of good nice condition aircraft at a reasonable price. Availability can be a bit limited when the weather is good but this is no different in any group and just means a bit more planning ahead however I never found it to be an issue and I mostly flew on the weekends. They also run a number of group trips which are good fun and a great way to spread you wings and fly with some other like minded pilots.
They also have a flying school attached so there is never a shortage of instructors to give you guidance if needed.
They also have a flying school attached so there is never a shortage of instructors to give you guidance if needed.
Thanks for this, really helpful. Sounds like a good group. I may buy one of their 25 hour hours building packages, if I can't find a share to buy soon, and then carry on looking for a share in the mean time. I like the idea of being able to join group trips and fly with others as well, as I would like to learn off other more experienced pilots.
Thanks for the help.
