Bristol Flight Centre
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Airways Flight Training
Here are a few reasons why I chose Airways Flight Training (AFT) for my CPL/IR.
Instructors - All have previous military and/or commercial experience. These guys instruct because they want to, not because they need the hours.
Aircraft - The Duchess is a great training platform and probably one of the nicest twins I’ve flown. It has contra rotating props which make the asymmetric stuff a little easier, and two doors which makes getting in and out less of a drama!
Price - Probably one of the more competitively priced training providers you'll find in the UK.
Atmosphere - The best! Very relaxed during training with the emphasis on making sure you can pilot an aircraft, rather than looking like an aircraft pilot. You will however be advised to wear a shirt and tie for your flight test!!
Reputation - AFT has one of the best reputations going. Most of their business is through recommendation and word of mouth. Run a search through PPRuNe and see if you can find any bad posts on both schools.
At the end of the day it’s your decision. I’m sure Bristol is very good, and I think the best way forward for you is to visit both schools, as I did, and then make a choice.
Good luck.
Instructors - All have previous military and/or commercial experience. These guys instruct because they want to, not because they need the hours.
Aircraft - The Duchess is a great training platform and probably one of the nicest twins I’ve flown. It has contra rotating props which make the asymmetric stuff a little easier, and two doors which makes getting in and out less of a drama!
Price - Probably one of the more competitively priced training providers you'll find in the UK.
Atmosphere - The best! Very relaxed during training with the emphasis on making sure you can pilot an aircraft, rather than looking like an aircraft pilot. You will however be advised to wear a shirt and tie for your flight test!!
Reputation - AFT has one of the best reputations going. Most of their business is through recommendation and word of mouth. Run a search through PPRuNe and see if you can find any bad posts on both schools.
At the end of the day it’s your decision. I’m sure Bristol is very good, and I think the best way forward for you is to visit both schools, as I did, and then make a choice.
Good luck.
Join Date: Dec 2005
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So, how is the weather at Bristol or Exeter ? are there any problem doing CPL VFR ? the good périod is June July ?
I live in south of france, so I don't know very well it...
I live in south of france, so I don't know very well it...
Join Date: Apr 2006
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I was reffering to Airways Flight Training, as I stated.
In terms of weather the main advantage of exeter is during times of marginal weather.
Exeter being at only 100ft AMSL where as Bristol is quite often hidden in the clouds.
However if your planning on doing the course in the summer, if you get good weather most likely then haze is likely to be the issue, and it wont be much different at either.
Sorry that does not help much.
Simple answer I would say Late Autumn - > end of Spring Exeter is your better bet for VFR. (not guaranteed)
You pay your money you take the chances.
In terms of weather the main advantage of exeter is during times of marginal weather.
Exeter being at only 100ft AMSL where as Bristol is quite often hidden in the clouds.
However if your planning on doing the course in the summer, if you get good weather most likely then haze is likely to be the issue, and it wont be much different at either.
Sorry that does not help much.
Simple answer I would say Late Autumn - > end of Spring Exeter is your better bet for VFR. (not guaranteed)
You pay your money you take the chances.
You don't see Airways Flt Training advertise that much and there's a reason for this: their reputation is so good (especially amongst military fraternity) that they don't need to.
Join Date: May 2004
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I trained at Airways. CPL in Oct /Nov - wx was pretty good - maybe I was lucky 
3 wks. Took the IR straight after (Xmas break inbetween), finishing Feb. Don't get too roped into the weather considerations. The previous post highlighting the 100' AMSL at Exeter is helpful.
I have heard good things about Bristol as well as many others posting here. Would also recommend a personal visit to both schools.
I would wholeheartedly recommend AFT based upon my experience. Very good atmosphere, experienced, capable instructors. PM if you like.
All the best for your training, wherever you choose
LF
3 wks. Took the IR straight after (Xmas break inbetween), finishing Feb. Don't get too roped into the weather considerations. The previous post highlighting the 100' AMSL at Exeter is helpful.I have heard good things about Bristol as well as many others posting here. Would also recommend a personal visit to both schools.
I would wholeheartedly recommend AFT based upon my experience. Very good atmosphere, experienced, capable instructors. PM if you like.
All the best for your training, wherever you choose
LF
Join Date: Jun 2005
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I went to AFT and cannot fault them. In my experience I found Exeter is good to train at as there is low commercial traffic so you don't hang around on the ground or in the air, but busy enough to make you think. As others have said the Duchess is a great stable platform to learn on. The weather at Exeter is generally better than Bristol which will help for the CPL. The instructors are all vastly experienced and they now have a new sim. They are flexible and didn't take my money until the end of the course, and the school has a flying club (rather than school/institue) feel about it so you feel valued and enjoy your time there.
That's what I found, but the most important thing, I think, is pay them each a visit and see which one you feel most at home with.
That's what I found, but the most important thing, I think, is pay them each a visit and see which one you feel most at home with.
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Based on my own experience, I would recommend considering AFT at Exeter.
I can only reiterate what has already been said. It's a small, friendly school, you get to fly the BE76 Duchess on the MEIR course (much nicer handling qualities then the Seneca), and Exeter Airport is busy enough to be interesting and to give a realistic commercial setting. You pay for the basic MEIR course at the end of your 50 or 55 hours course, with no initial payment or interim payments required. If you require additional training, you pay the outstanding amount when you leave.
I can't think of any negatives. The instructors are very experienced, ex-airline and/or military, and include ex-BA, Virgin and Cathay captains. Exeter ATC|are usually most helpful. The airport has ILS and NDB approaches, and an ATIS. One of the CAA IR examiners is resident. Students sometimes include a high percentage of RAF or Navy aircrew undergoing conversion courses, who can sometimes appear incredibly confident and self-assured to a civvy student!
Why not pay them a visit?
I can only reiterate what has already been said. It's a small, friendly school, you get to fly the BE76 Duchess on the MEIR course (much nicer handling qualities then the Seneca), and Exeter Airport is busy enough to be interesting and to give a realistic commercial setting. You pay for the basic MEIR course at the end of your 50 or 55 hours course, with no initial payment or interim payments required. If you require additional training, you pay the outstanding amount when you leave.
I can't think of any negatives. The instructors are very experienced, ex-airline and/or military, and include ex-BA, Virgin and Cathay captains. Exeter ATC|are usually most helpful. The airport has ILS and NDB approaches, and an ATIS. One of the CAA IR examiners is resident. Students sometimes include a high percentage of RAF or Navy aircrew undergoing conversion courses, who can sometimes appear incredibly confident and self-assured to a civvy student!
Why not pay them a visit?
Join Date: Dec 2005
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ok thank you very much for replies!
but, I can see lot of replies about AFT and few replies about Bristol...
Ex sutdents of Bristol are not on the Forum or there are few students at Bristol..?
could you tell me the price of accomodation near AFT ? and the maximum distance from airport ?
thank's
but, I can see lot of replies about AFT and few replies about Bristol...
Ex sutdents of Bristol are not on the Forum or there are few students at Bristol..?
could you tell me the price of accomodation near AFT ? and the maximum distance from airport ?
thank's
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Hi
It might be a bit early on the course to fully recommend Bristol but so far I can't fault them.
I had some preconceptions before starting, mainly thninking they were larger than they are. Their max student count is 20 which is great. They're in a new building on the airfield with great sim rooms and loads of areas for the pre flight briefings and post debrief.
What I really like about the place is how accessable all the instructors are, including the head of training. At any time you can just call in and speak to them.
I'll post an update when I'm a bit further in the course
It might be a bit early on the course to fully recommend Bristol but so far I can't fault them.
I had some preconceptions before starting, mainly thninking they were larger than they are. Their max student count is 20 which is great. They're in a new building on the airfield with great sim rooms and loads of areas for the pre flight briefings and post debrief.
What I really like about the place is how accessable all the instructors are, including the head of training. At any time you can just call in and speak to them.
I'll post an update when I'm a bit further in the course
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Bristol Flying Centre
Quick question for all you current or fairly recent ex bristol flying centre students.
Would like to know which instructor you got for your instrument rating/multi/cpl, the quality of instruction and the subsequent result on your final exam. About to start there in a few weeks and would like to know the ins and outs.
Plus any tips would be hugely appreciated
Would like to know which instructor you got for your instrument rating/multi/cpl, the quality of instruction and the subsequent result on your final exam. About to start there in a few weeks and would like to know the ins and outs.
Plus any tips would be hugely appreciated
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As MP said the standardisation is very good so it does not matter who your instructor is they are all very good. Best advice I can give you is to put a good effort in and they will bend over backwards to help you get through. Great bunch! 
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Good to hear and they seem to use well fettled Senecas also (hmmm bigger twin=hmmm good). Think I shall consider, if I get through the theory. The depth of material for the "Aircraft General Knowledge" paper has got me sweating!
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Absolutely superb. Would thouroughly recommend them. They are very aware of their students needs at every stage and will react to any problems/queries very quickly. Very customer focused.
Got CPL/IR first time in min hours so as for their instruction it is second to none. A massive amount of experience and really great guys.
Anyway if I go on you'll not be able to train there as the instructors won't fit in the aircraft
Hope that helps.
PM me if you want any further info. xx
Got CPL/IR first time in min hours so as for their instruction it is second to none. A massive amount of experience and really great guys.
Anyway if I go on you'll not be able to train there as the instructors won't fit in the aircraft
Hope that helps.
PM me if you want any further info. xx
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Bristol Flying Centre
Hi guys n'girls.
I finished the CPL/MEP/IR in March from BFC. The place is truely professional. My instructor became a mentor, spending many hours per day with me. I got through first time, minimum hours in everything, and I've subsequently gone on to operate the Airbus A319 with Easyjet (through CTC).
The instructors at CTC were very impressed with my level of procedural and instrument flying and they said it was a testiment to the standards set at bfc.
Going to Bristol Flying Centre was the best decision I could have made.
Obviously a biased opinion, but hope my insight helps. Good luck with whereever you choose. This is without doubt the best job in the world.
I finished the CPL/MEP/IR in March from BFC. The place is truely professional. My instructor became a mentor, spending many hours per day with me. I got through first time, minimum hours in everything, and I've subsequently gone on to operate the Airbus A319 with Easyjet (through CTC).
The instructors at CTC were very impressed with my level of procedural and instrument flying and they said it was a testiment to the standards set at bfc.
Going to Bristol Flying Centre was the best decision I could have made.
Obviously a biased opinion, but hope my insight helps. Good luck with whereever you choose. This is without doubt the best job in the world.
Join Date: Aug 2004
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cpl £3,299 IR £11,800 ME £1,999 these are for min hours. As for accomadation a BB will be anything from £20+per night, I rented a small house with someone else and that cost £75 a week with kitchen etc.... Check out the BFC website they have houses to rent on there and B&B's. Count on it taking at least 12 weeks, probably more if you are to do the whole thing. Those costs dont include the test fees which are about £674 now i think for the CPl and IR not sure about the multi. In a nutshell you are not going to get much change from £20K.
Good luck
Dan
Good luck
Dan
Join Date: May 2004
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Greetings PPL152,
If you check the BFC website and look up their monthly newsletter it does give updates to where ex BFC students are going. For example last month 1 went to Easyjet no doubt thru CTC and another went to Air Berlin. You will be able to go back through as they do list previous months.
All I can say is I enjoyed my time at Bristol and certainly have no complaints about them,small close-knit group and instructors are all very easy going and open to any questions. Even as has been mentioned both the CFI and Head Of Training don't mind you knocking on their door for a chat.
Regards
If you check the BFC website and look up their monthly newsletter it does give updates to where ex BFC students are going. For example last month 1 went to Easyjet no doubt thru CTC and another went to Air Berlin. You will be able to go back through as they do list previous months.
All I can say is I enjoyed my time at Bristol and certainly have no complaints about them,small close-knit group and instructors are all very easy going and open to any questions. Even as has been mentioned both the CFI and Head Of Training don't mind you knocking on their door for a chat.
Regards