Phoenix flight training
 

Morning all, does anyone have any experience of the above flight school based at Cumbernauld? Looking to start my ppl and based between Glasgow and Edinburgh, many thanks.

Hi Sheppie - I'm about half way through a LAPL and tried a lesson at Phoenix, as well as a number of other schools around. Phoenix have two standard C152's and experienced instructors - one of whom is also an examiner. There is also an ArcherIII. Some people like the training there, and others don't. I personally preferred the now defunct Border Air downstairs, and when they closed I opted to continue with ACS in Perth, even though the travelling is further. The main reasons on going there, rather than Phoenix were;

a) Availability - unless you can fly mid week, you will struggle to get slots on the weekends at Phoenix (limited planes, limited instructors - ACS have lots of both)
b) weather - Perth is usually flyable when Cumbernauld is in cloud
c) Landing fees - free in Perth, charged at £13.20 at Cumbernauld, or £54 for circuit training. It adds up very quickly.

My advice is pop in and see how you get on with Phoenix, and then go and have a few lessons elsewhere (ACS, Leading Edge, Tayside at Fife Airport). It's all about what suits you best and there is lots of options out there.

Will try that :) many thanks for the reply

Hi,

Cumbernauld has its issues - but I have to say the guys at Phoenix are very, very experienced. They have been through things in the air that money can't buy. Ask Haggis about his flight with "Mr Potato", as I called him!

Yes, Cumbernauld is not cheap, but it might be better to spend money there than spend it in fuel (and time) sitting in traffic as you go through Perth city centre!

At ACS, they were recently advertising for PPL holders to become instructors.

I would rather learn from Pheonix than from a newbie!

ps Disclosure: while Phoenix may be rivals for trial flights etc, we use Johnnie as an examiner here at Strathaven.

Hey - I've had a great experience with Phoenix and agree with both other posts above.
One thing you have there is that neither of the guys (even the third guy that works p/t) are hour building - they are fantastic instructors. I'm not sure there is an issue with weekend bookings - I reckon fine if you book at the time of your last lesson - you really want quality, not quantity!
It very much is a question of finding the place that works best for you - I would do a trial everywhere within your driving range and go with where works.
Have fun!!!

I will book a trial soon and see how it goes. It is certainly the closest option to me. Thanks again all