Hey Felix,

1. First of all ring the school 0191 2861321, 0191 2861363 to make sure someone is available and ask when is the best time to drop by.
2. Arrange a time that would be mutually acceptable to come in. We can pick you up from the Metro if you want. It's a 5 minute walk otherwise, which is pleasant in Summer.
3. Speak to as many instructors/staff/students as possible whilst at the school, tour the facilities, look at the planes, ask about costs etc. Be direct - ask what are the pros and cons. Make a list of questions to ask beforehand.
4. Book a date for a 'trial lesson' to test your ability and to taste the instructional quality etc
5. If you're unsure, go to DTV and Carlisle and do the same. Its important at this stage to get it wright, as the wrong match is nothing but costly.
6. Take a couple of lessons. The school waivers membership fees until a few lessons into the course in case you have second thoughts, so there is no commitment.
7. Continue booking 'slots' at your pace. In no time you'll be ready for test with the fuhrer (the CFI). Simple!

Any questions? I'm here to answer them.

Bobby

I think the confusion is with the NPPL which covers the most basic aircraft types and you need to do additional type training to cover such things as variable pitch props, retractable gear etc. Anybpdy confirm ?

NPPL
 

As with most aircraft (apart from helicopters, to which I am accustomed) differences training is required not a type rating, apart from the Malibu.

The NPPL allows you to fly the basic aircraft on a HGV medical. Less dual instruction time is required, but realistically who can pass as a competent pilot at 40hours TT? If it seems you're going to fall under the 45 hours for PPL, add a night rating to it, fly other aicraft, build solo time - so you're not wasting time.

If your final goal is the airlines, then there is no point getting the NPPL as you will have to upgrade it to a PPL anyway.

Felix,

I also started my PPL at Newcastle when I was 15 but that was 19 years and 10,000 hours ago.

I re-visited the club about a month ago to do a skils test with an hour in the air.

We departed the airfield at around 1100 with no delay, flew to the north and returned at around 1200 to complete 3 circuits, none of which were held up by other traffic.

The Club aircraft and facilities are excellent and you won't find a more friendly and professional group of instructors anywhere in the country.

If you want to make a career in the industry, it's a great place to start.

mint, im going today on a trial lesson and hopefully book more lessons in advance!!:D

Let us know how the Trial goes!

WK

All of what VT 10 says has its own merits about flying when and where you want but some of us are not lucky enough to have this facility.

Bobby has stated the obvious if you need to know ask...

They are bending over backwards to make things easy for people and could not be more helpfull,I flew last night and from taxi to take off was less than 5 mins, I had only repeated the departure instructions and was told to line up and cleared for take off,So if you can pick and choose your times there should be no problems,weather permitting.


Gontek

Bobby, just out of interest, can you be trained on the Bulldog before you've the PPL? Would be nice to be able to fly that as well as the PA28. Just an idle curiosity - I've probably left it too late in the course anyway.

Cheers.

(Allright GonTek, long time so speak, how ya doing?)

I did my ppl in 5 different aircraft types (cap10b, pa28, c150, r2160 and pa38), and soloed in 3 of them (cap10b, pa28 and c150) during the course. There is no reason you can't change a/c type, however, there will be an increase in the amount of time that it takes for you to complete the course.

Hi JW : still on here now and again and fly as much as poss,went for quick/nearly quick zip to Durham the other night in C150 .

You will need differences training for the Dog and I might suggest you save your money until you have the Brown Wallet although others may think differently and I will take the heat for it .I did it after my ppl in G-NELI PA28 180 R but fitted in Night qualification with ppl,the b/dog is fun to fly and handles much differently to PA28/C150 very responsive on the stick and fully aerobatic as I found out (not keen on flying upside down )If you fancy a go let me know...

Cheers All

Bulldog
 

That's true.

Personally I would also advise that you hold off on the Bulldog until you have more experience, as it is a different kettle of fish to fly. Swapping aircraft this late in the course will cause problems as the Bulldog is very different to a PA28 - google the bulldog and look at some internal pictures and some checklists. Wait until you have a bit of experience under your belt and are more than confident in the Piper, then go for it! Afterall the PPL covers most SEP aircraft so interchanging will build experience, but later when flying is second nature.

Bobby

'GonTek' took my young (13) nephew for flight a couple of nights back and he loved it (so did my nephew;) ). He has shown just about everybody he knows his photographs he took and is really hooked on this flying mullarkey.

If anyone has any 'aviation chores' that they need doing at EGNT (cleaning aircraft, running errands etc please let me know - cos I know a hard-working young lad who is desperate to get into aviation.

Cheers guys, sounds fair enough! I will leave it until later to fly the Bulldog - no rush anyway. Quite looking forward to flying it eventually. GT - yeah, would love to have a go, cheers! Once I've wrapped up my school exams that would be great, will talk to you nearer the time.

Cheers all.

(PD - I misread and thought you were asking for someone to help with your "aviation chores", was about to volunteer!)

jwforeman,

I wish I did have some aviation chores to take care of :{ .

I'm hoping to return to some regular flying soon and if you are looking for a trip in the right-hand seat - I'll let you know :ok:

Thought you would be lurking in here somewhere PD::=

Glad he enjoyed it,I think he was a bit apprehensive but enjoyed it in the end and I did wind him up a little when he asked where the airport was and asked him if he knew cos I didn't .Did get a funny look !!!!
I would like to see the pics he took,he was snapping away.


Catch up with you soon

Regards all

Gontek

New Forum in the Members' Area
 

I have just literally uploaded the new Northumbria Flying School Forum. I would also encourage you to sign up to the newsletter. The Members' Area is still in its early stages but I hope you find it useful to chat about the school.



Bobby

Hi Bobby, I subscribed to the newsletter the other day and was just wondering when it would be sent out?

The newsletter is being worked on by Neil, JC and John O. I have no word on it yet, but I imagine it ought to be fairly soon. I'll try and push for a date.

Bobby

Cost aside, I have no idea why anyone would suggest waiting until after the PPL to fly the Dog.

It was the first a/c type I ever flew, up to PPL standard, and if you ask me it is infinitely easier - not to mention more fun - to fly than the 70's era junk that is a PA28. I actually belive you could reach a far higher standard more quickly in the Dog than the alternative, and that has to be a good thing. It is also an absolute doddle to land.

I would recommend an early flight in them both, and see which you feel most comfortable learning in - assuming the club is willing to oblige. No contest I reckon.

Have to agree with the last poster. Flew the Dog before flying a PA28 and got to solo standard much quicker than I would have done having spent all the time in a PA28.

WK