Flying schools in the South West?
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Flying schools in the South West?
Hello everyone.
I would just like to say that as a first time poster, how impressed I am with the collective wealth of information this excellent site provides. I am now hoping to benefit from the knowledge of those that have gone before me....
I am basically looking to get from 0 hours to forzen ATPL as quickly as is possible. I am in the fortunate position of being able to quit my job to pursue the dream full time. I have the money available to me (although a great deal of it is being provided by HSBC)
I am looking for any advice/recommendations on flying schools within the Bristol/Exeter areas as I live near Taunton. Through my own research so far I have identified Flightpass at Exeter and also Bristol Flying centre as likely candidates, although Airways at Exeter have come in to the frame from reading nothing but good things about them too! I would like to keep all the training under one roof/sky if possible as knowing myself as I do, I know that this will benefit me as an individual.
I guess that I'm looking for any views any of you may have, and whilst I appreciate that a persons viewpoint is a subjective one based on their own experience and that my experiences may differ, I would be grateful for all and any advice.
Thanks in advance guys,
BSW
I would just like to say that as a first time poster, how impressed I am with the collective wealth of information this excellent site provides. I am now hoping to benefit from the knowledge of those that have gone before me....
I am basically looking to get from 0 hours to forzen ATPL as quickly as is possible. I am in the fortunate position of being able to quit my job to pursue the dream full time. I have the money available to me (although a great deal of it is being provided by HSBC)
I am looking for any advice/recommendations on flying schools within the Bristol/Exeter areas as I live near Taunton. Through my own research so far I have identified Flightpass at Exeter and also Bristol Flying centre as likely candidates, although Airways at Exeter have come in to the frame from reading nothing but good things about them too! I would like to keep all the training under one roof/sky if possible as knowing myself as I do, I know that this will benefit me as an individual.
I guess that I'm looking for any views any of you may have, and whilst I appreciate that a persons viewpoint is a subjective one based on their own experience and that my experiences may differ, I would be grateful for all and any advice.
Thanks in advance guys,
BSW
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I live in Plymouth and there are also flight schools there, but exeter would be closer for you, i've heard very good things about bristol groundschool.
Have you considered going abroad like the USA or Greece it is so much cheaper, im going there in a couple of months, there's just no way i could afford it in this country.
The other thing is the weather in this country. It will slow you down, and i hear stories about people having to fly loads of hours just to keep current whilst they wait for the one day to do some cross country flying, things like that.
If you have quit your job and have all the money, you are in exactly the same boat as me. so why not go and do it abroad, unless you have ties, family etc.
Have you considered going abroad like the USA or Greece it is so much cheaper, im going there in a couple of months, there's just no way i could afford it in this country.
The other thing is the weather in this country. It will slow you down, and i hear stories about people having to fly loads of hours just to keep current whilst they wait for the one day to do some cross country flying, things like that.
If you have quit your job and have all the money, you are in exactly the same boat as me. so why not go and do it abroad, unless you have ties, family etc.
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Tommy,
I have considered going abroad, but have ruled it out on the grounds that as I intend to fly from the UK on gaining my licences I would like to train here and become used to the weather conditions and also get used to UK airspace too.
I had previously considered Bournemouth quite seriously too, but that would involve extra accommodation costs which I would like to avoid if possible. I can easily travel to Bristol or Exeter and as I currently have a mortgage I need to keep extra living costs down whre possible and spend what I have on the flying!
I appreciate your comments about the savings that can be made by going abroad but there will also be the costs of converting when you return to the UK, which may negate a large part of any saving you make.
I too have heard good stuff about Bristol GS. I am seriously considering that option for the ATPL's but I also feel that I would benefit from the residential course by ultimately getting through it quicker - its a tough decision for me, but I think distance learning with Bristol may just prove to be to convenient to turn down.
Incidentally, have you done any flying from the UK yet? If so what were your experiences of where you flew from? All the best with your training though, and enjoy the sunnier climes over the pond or in the Med
Aim,
Yes ASW is at Exeter. Not sure if they can offer everything though. They certainly seem to be well thought of on Prune and I will certainly investigate them!
Any experience of them yourself?
I have considered going abroad, but have ruled it out on the grounds that as I intend to fly from the UK on gaining my licences I would like to train here and become used to the weather conditions and also get used to UK airspace too.
I had previously considered Bournemouth quite seriously too, but that would involve extra accommodation costs which I would like to avoid if possible. I can easily travel to Bristol or Exeter and as I currently have a mortgage I need to keep extra living costs down whre possible and spend what I have on the flying!
I appreciate your comments about the savings that can be made by going abroad but there will also be the costs of converting when you return to the UK, which may negate a large part of any saving you make.
I too have heard good stuff about Bristol GS. I am seriously considering that option for the ATPL's but I also feel that I would benefit from the residential course by ultimately getting through it quicker - its a tough decision for me, but I think distance learning with Bristol may just prove to be to convenient to turn down.
Incidentally, have you done any flying from the UK yet? If so what were your experiences of where you flew from? All the best with your training though, and enjoy the sunnier climes over the pond or in the Med
Aim,
Yes ASW is at Exeter. Not sure if they can offer everything though. They certainly seem to be well thought of on Prune and I will certainly investigate them!
Any experience of them yourself?
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BSW
I did my CPL and IR training with Flightpass. I had previously flown with a number of different outfits, including in the US, and found Flightpass to be superb. The instruction was first rate and there was a hell of a lot of experience knocking about between the guys down there which was a big help to me. More than that though, it was the general attitude that impressed me during my time there- they were always willing to help and there was always someone I could chat through things I was struggling on with.
Can also recommend Bristol highly for the groundschool. They do exactly what is says on the tin. Material is excellent. As long as you put in the work you will get good results with them. Brush ups were hard going but excellent.
I think that it is definitely beneficial for people to do all their training in one place. For various reasons/circumstances this often doesn't happen but if you have the opportunity to do so then I think you are definitely on the right track.
Make sure you have a look at anywhere you're seriously considering- you will very easily get a feel for the place and the people.
All the best,
NF
I did my CPL and IR training with Flightpass. I had previously flown with a number of different outfits, including in the US, and found Flightpass to be superb. The instruction was first rate and there was a hell of a lot of experience knocking about between the guys down there which was a big help to me. More than that though, it was the general attitude that impressed me during my time there- they were always willing to help and there was always someone I could chat through things I was struggling on with.
Can also recommend Bristol highly for the groundschool. They do exactly what is says on the tin. Material is excellent. As long as you put in the work you will get good results with them. Brush ups were hard going but excellent.
I think that it is definitely beneficial for people to do all their training in one place. For various reasons/circumstances this often doesn't happen but if you have the opportunity to do so then I think you are definitely on the right track.
Make sure you have a look at anywhere you're seriously considering- you will very easily get a feel for the place and the people.
All the best,
NF
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Fair point about getting used to things here, that is something i will have to contend with later, as a guide i am gonna be able to do it in the states then convert here inside my £39,000 budget which i could'nt do here(by a mile).
Another option is Greece, i'm in contact with a guy there, its dirt cheap and JAR, not as busy i doubt though
I've only had a couple introductory flights years ago when i was 16 and 18 i think and a glider lesson. Those, airshows and Top Gun were enough to keep the dream alive.
i flew at a school that i can't remember the name of in plymouth and Cabair, yeh both very good, but nothing like enough experience to offer an opinion on them,
i've looked into bristol groundschool and there are two lots of two week residentials (well you have to be there every day) brush up courses. For me that would mean staying up there for a total of four weeks, but i suppose you could commute, thought that info might be of interest
and cheers, i hope you enjoy the weather in um bristol aswell, you had to live in the south west to boot didnt you, could be worse you could live in Plymouth, we get even more rain there because of the moor
Another option is Greece, i'm in contact with a guy there, its dirt cheap and JAR, not as busy i doubt though
I've only had a couple introductory flights years ago when i was 16 and 18 i think and a glider lesson. Those, airshows and Top Gun were enough to keep the dream alive.
i flew at a school that i can't remember the name of in plymouth and Cabair, yeh both very good, but nothing like enough experience to offer an opinion on them,
i've looked into bristol groundschool and there are two lots of two week residentials (well you have to be there every day) brush up courses. For me that would mean staying up there for a total of four weeks, but i suppose you could commute, thought that info might be of interest
and cheers, i hope you enjoy the weather in um bristol aswell, you had to live in the south west to boot didnt you, could be worse you could live in Plymouth, we get even more rain there because of the moor
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TommyH
Why couldn't you do it here for £39,000 "by a mile"? With a small contingency it can be done for around £40,000. Have you taken into account the cost of the extra training for the conversion? Remember the conversion courses are a legal minimum, really for people with licences and experience, not for taking the licence and then immediately converting, so it is almost unheard of for people to convert straight away in minimum hours.
Why couldn't you do it here for £39,000 "by a mile"? With a small contingency it can be done for around £40,000. Have you taken into account the cost of the extra training for the conversion? Remember the conversion courses are a legal minimum, really for people with licences and experience, not for taking the licence and then immediately converting, so it is almost unheard of for people to convert straight away in minimum hours.
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send clowns,
i am just under the impression that is much cheaper in the states, i was gonna do the integrated course with EFT Florida for $60,000 here that course seems to cost £60,000.
i've even seen people on here scoff at the possibility of being trained here for £60,000 saying it can't be done
I will probably do JAA/FAA ppl, FAA CPL, ME, IR, CFI, CFII, MEI and be employed in california for $32,000 including everything except a headset AND it includes accomadation, i dont have a house, so if i did it here i would have to pay rent, i can then convert here for £11,000
that leaves me £10,000 spare for additional training as you mentioned etc
in Greece you can convert for 11,000 euros to ATPL (not including accomadation)
I really cant see me being able to do all the stuff i just mentioned in the states, here for £18,000 ($32,000)
but if you know where you can do it for these base rate costs i am open to suggestions
i am just under the impression that is much cheaper in the states, i was gonna do the integrated course with EFT Florida for $60,000 here that course seems to cost £60,000.
i've even seen people on here scoff at the possibility of being trained here for £60,000 saying it can't be done
I will probably do JAA/FAA ppl, FAA CPL, ME, IR, CFI, CFII, MEI and be employed in california for $32,000 including everything except a headset AND it includes accomadation, i dont have a house, so if i did it here i would have to pay rent, i can then convert here for £11,000
that leaves me £10,000 spare for additional training as you mentioned etc
in Greece you can convert for 11,000 euros to ATPL (not including accomadation)
I really cant see me being able to do all the stuff i just mentioned in the states, here for £18,000 ($32,000)
but if you know where you can do it for these base rate costs i am open to suggestions
Last edited by tommyH; 9th Jun 2005 at 00:47.
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Flaps,
Good info on Flightpass, much appreciated! I am off to see them on Saturday. Just ordered the CD ROM from Bristol too
Tommy,
I am inclined to agree with Clowns, I would imagine that you could go down the modular route here and complete for around £40k. I hope so anyway because realistically I dont' have a great deal more than that for my training. Work hard, devote your life to flying if you are doing it full time and you will be suprised I'm sure. The sorts of costs you are talking about sound like integrated course costs to me which is always way more expensive than modular.
Check out any modular school on the net and look at the prices, for minimum hours you will probably find that 35K in the UK is not unrealistic - a £5k contingency will then help and for little over £40k its possible that you will get your Frozen ATPL. It'll be hard work, but it can be done!!!
Good info on Flightpass, much appreciated! I am off to see them on Saturday. Just ordered the CD ROM from Bristol too
Tommy,
I am inclined to agree with Clowns, I would imagine that you could go down the modular route here and complete for around £40k. I hope so anyway because realistically I dont' have a great deal more than that for my training. Work hard, devote your life to flying if you are doing it full time and you will be suprised I'm sure. The sorts of costs you are talking about sound like integrated course costs to me which is always way more expensive than modular.
Check out any modular school on the net and look at the prices, for minimum hours you will probably find that 35K in the UK is not unrealistic - a £5k contingency will then help and for little over £40k its possible that you will get your Frozen ATPL. It'll be hard work, but it can be done!!!
