Ravenair - Northwest Flying Schools

[mark twain]

Ravenair

My experience of Ravenair is as an ex- instructor there, plus I did my CPL and IR with them.

The operation has improved by vast amounts in terms of efficiency and control. The airport is easy to fly in and out of, and the aircraft are well maintained (in house maintenance helps).

I have been involved with them for about three years, and to start with it was hard to give good customer service. This has improved and far greater focus has been placed on the Flying School operation - in the near future the third hangar will provide the base for the flying school and the facilities will be superb. In the meantime extra space and investment has been made in the infrastructure.

In respect to the training, the main IR instructor is a career instructor called Craig Padfield. He is absolutely superb and totally commited to his job - how many instructors offer to get in at 5.30 am to get the aircraft ready for you to fly over for the IR test? He puts himself out to make sure you do well - whatever school you goto you can ask no more than that.

Some comment is made about not having the examiner on site - however I found the short flight over to Leeds a nerve steadier - it also allows you to gauge wind and general conditions. Not a bad thing.

Money wise they are very good to deal with and ethical in the dealings. Jeff Nuttall (the owner) is an ex-Air2000 captain, and the school run the Thomson Flying Club, Air2000 flying Club, The Thomas Cook Flying Club etc etc. you will meet loads of current airline pilots - it is very good for getting contacts.

If you have any more questions please drop me a pm, I would be happy to help where possible.

[muttley123]

Ravenair

Mark Twain Check your PMs Regards Muttley 123

[Cat.S]

Check your PMs Eurotraveller.

[richc]

I could do with a heads up on these guys aswell...Thinking of doing the ME-CPL/IR with them.

Cheers,

RichC

[jolross]

J D Aviation - First Class !

I have very recently passed my CPL/IR form being a very rusty PPL, thanks to the dedication of all at JD Aviation !

I cannot priase the highly enough for their honesty, integrity and professionalism.

GO AND PAY THEM A VISIT !!

[muttley123]

JD Aviation

Hi Jolross Check your PMs

Regards Muttley 123

[aztec25]

Same goes for me too.

Have just started the ATPL Ground school with Bristol GS (studying full time) and will need hopefully be starting CPL in New Year. Also planning to do instructor rating. Any views would be welcome.

[J4007]

Ravenair, Liverpool.

I invite any comments about this training provider, as I am about to embark on my IR and would like some inside info!!

[EGCC4284]

Craig Padfield is a top guy for IR instructing and puts 110% into everything. Plus he's a good laugh too.

The Aztecs is the best aircraft I've ever flown and if I was a rich man, would have no hesitation in buying one.

I passed my IR skills test first attempt after the 50 hours training and was the first of I think 6 on the run to pass first time.

The is a lot of back seating where you sit in the back whilst others are doing their training and this helps a lot.

We also videoed a lot of flights from the back seat and did copies for everyone to watch which also helped.

Any question then PM me and I will send you my contact numbers for you to give me a call.

Below is a picture of my mate Danny before a flight Please use smaller pictures, and if Ravenair wish to pay for a link we'll gladly quote them a rate.

Scroggs

Regards.

[king rooney]

Just make sure you keep an eye on your headset when you are down there!

[liverbird]

arhhh, man, another cheap joke, its in the past mate.
Where all pissed off over here, we didn’t even make the top ten in robbery’s.

[maxdrypower]

I cannot comment on the IR course but have been a member of ravenair for some time and did my ppl with them . They are excellent at what they do , they have superb aircraft across the fleet and the instructors are a laugh CFI Primo is a legend , Not had much to do with Craig but he is always very personable and as stated a good giggle . I would recommend ravenair to anyone for any rating . In fact just flew one of their Terrahawks this very morning lovely wonderful wish I could do it every day perhaps even for a living hmmmmmmmm there's a thought

[garywoodrow]

RavenAir Training

Hi, just a few questions. My Dad has suprised me with a trial lesson from ravenair based at liverpool as i have wanted to be a pilot from a young age. I have looked through the ravenair website to see how much training will cost to be able to apply for a First Officer job at an airline, details below.

Is the training below a good price for all the training? Or can I get it cheaper anywhere else.

Also is there any licence's i have missed out below that I will need?

PPL - £5380
Muli-Engine Piston rating - £2570
CAA IMC Rating - £1905
Night rating - £780
CPL - £5730
JAR ME/IR - £10815
Other Fee's tests etc - £1200 (estimate)
Instrument Rating - (Varies) + £2000

TOTAL - £34,180.00

I have looked into this alot and I cannot find it cheaper anywhere else, but this seems to cheap to me, as for a sponsership with EasyJet cost's £60k for the bond...

____
Gary

[crap pilot]

The price estimates are quite good, just one or two things to add. You did not factor the ATPL exams into this which can be done for between £1500 and £4000 depending if you want to go full time or distance learning, plus 14x£60 for the exams themselves. Also there is no need to do the IMC rating and the multi can be done as part of the CPL saving you some money. There is the matter of hour building which depending on what you want to fly can be as cheap as £10per hour or over £100 per hour and you will need to build around 100 hours after the PPL.

Good luck with the lesson.

[davey147]

Thats a good price for UK training. Why dont you go to the states get the FAA licences then convert them. You'll do all that for less than £25k, you could also look into getting an instructors job whilst your out there to build a few hours.

[High Wing Drifter]

Dont' forget hour building £10-15K!!

Landing fees: £2500+

IMC/IR Approach Fees: £800+

Accomodation here and there: £500+

MCC: £3000

Medical: £500+

ATPL Exams: £3000+

Then I suggest at least 10% contingency.

[garywoodrow]

thanks for all the help, much appreciated.

So to get a first officer job you need a fATPL? or just a CPL? i have been told both things by different people

also i can build 80 hours which i would need before i can take the CPL course for £6400. Also the prices i listed do include approach fee's and landing fee's, well, that is what ravenair told me.

[crap pilot]

It all can be done alot cheaper if you are on a tight budget. For example
PPL-£4000ish at OBA
ATPL theory-£1500 Distance learning with CATS
ATPL exams-£840
Hour building-£3000 to £4000 if you buy a cheap share
ME/IR+MEP-£10,000 at aerofan(including accom)
CPL-£3000 at OBA again
MCC-£2000
Frozen ATPL for under £25,000 although i would add another £2-3k on top of that as a safty margin.

Edited to say that you would also need around £2k for things like medical and CAA fees.

[Wellington Bomber]

Gary Woodrow

You need a fatpl to get a first officers job, a cpl does not allow you to fly in clouds, a distinct disadvantage in this country.

Also try telling your passengers that you are delayed due to cloud in the vicinity. It goes along with leaves on the line

[garywoodrow]

ok, thanks for the help again I just found this cabair program called First Officer Direct for £55,000, has anyone heard of this or know if its worth it? Ill search around a bit now about it.