Stapleford Flight centre
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Did my MEP there and after leaving the screens(for partial panel) right at the back of the a/c and after climbing back and giving Colin my size eleven in the face I looked at him and called myself a c### he just nodded in agreement but the test went ok after that.Personally I like to know where I stand with someone.
Found training and instructors good and the free t/o and landings there can be worth their wait in gold when you need the practice.
Found training and instructors good and the free t/o and landings there can be worth their wait in gold when you need the practice.
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I too find this an interesting thread.
For sure, if you judge a school by it's reception rather than the standard of it's teaching and results then perhaps it says more about the judge than the judged.
From my experience, SFC does what it says on the tin. The CPL school is there to train people not just to pass the exam but to be suitable for a career in commercial aviation. If you can't take a few well judged expletives from people who only care what standard you can attain then join the public sector.
For sure, if you judge a school by it's reception rather than the standard of it's teaching and results then perhaps it says more about the judge than the judged.
From my experience, SFC does what it says on the tin. The CPL school is there to train people not just to pass the exam but to be suitable for a career in commercial aviation. If you can't take a few well judged expletives from people who only care what standard you can attain then join the public sector.
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The CPL school is there to train people not just to pass the exam but to be suitable for a career in commercial aviation.
Did my residential CPL at Stapleford and no real complaints. The only frustration was the bad weather days when you had to find something else to do and the occasional cancelled session when something else came up for the Instructor. In aviation, you have to be adaptable, so you could say that is all good practice.
Good to hear that Staplefords equivalent of james Bond 'Stapleford 007' is still going strong, cheers Brian
Last edited by SimJock; 13th Mar 2010 at 15:10. Reason: To avoid offending sensitive pilots
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I stumbled across this thread and felt compelled to comment on my (rather negative) experience(s) of SFC.
Please bear in mind this was back in 2003, so perhaps not so relevant now, but from what i've read here some of the characters may not have changed very much.
Living in north Kent it would have made perfect sense for me and my friend (who was also looking for a commercial school) to do our CPL/IR's there and save on accomodation expenses. We were basically pleading with them to convince us to part with each of our £17,000 (or whatever a CPL/IR was in those days) - and we really would not have needed much convincing!
We went along for a pre-arranged informal chat with one of their instructors and our impression was very similar to some earlier comments on this thread. It took an eternity to be dealt with by reception (who were only busy talking to each other as far as I could work out), and the instructor we sat down with spent the entire time complaining how exhausted he was. After a rushed mini tour of the 'facilities' which even included a grunt from the 'head honcho' we left feeling rather disillusioned.
Still, I felt perhaps we'd been unlucky and I decided to go back on another day for a second opinion (afterall I really DID want to train there if only for convenience). I spoke to a second instructor (whose name I forget but was the type who would be probably call 'a spade a spade' and who I believed at the time might be better suited as a London cabbie). After lecturing me on how unlikely it was that i'd get through an IR test first time and how he despaired at how inexperienced 200 hour pilots hoped to pass in minimum training hours I once again left feeling dissappointed, and with cheque book firmly in pocket!
Both myself and my friend ended up going to Professional Air Training in Bournemouth (and with the extra accommodation costs) who sold the course to us in 10 minutes flat by telling us they'd ''get it right, first time'' and subsequently helped me (and my pal) get through our CPL/IR's first time, AND in minimum time... fabulous place and people, but I digress.
Maybe if i'd still done my training at SFC i'd have a completely different impression and I completly accept that others have had very positive experiences......I didn't (twice), and I am still amazed there are businesses like these that turn good money away from their door.
I echo the earlier comment to refrain from training at a school just because you live close by.
As an afterthought can I just mention that in my limited experience flying commercially for the last 5 years with 2 different UK carriers I have never once been called a c**t in a training environment (and would never expect to be). I personally don't think that particular style of training has any place in modern day aviation training, it's just lazy and serves no purpose....it perhaps worked 40 years ago but I hope we have moved on from those pre-CRM days. I was lucky enough to instruct for a year before gaining my first airline job and found that the best results would always be gained from building a students confidence, not destroying it.
Good luck to all.
Please bear in mind this was back in 2003, so perhaps not so relevant now, but from what i've read here some of the characters may not have changed very much.
Living in north Kent it would have made perfect sense for me and my friend (who was also looking for a commercial school) to do our CPL/IR's there and save on accomodation expenses. We were basically pleading with them to convince us to part with each of our £17,000 (or whatever a CPL/IR was in those days) - and we really would not have needed much convincing!
We went along for a pre-arranged informal chat with one of their instructors and our impression was very similar to some earlier comments on this thread. It took an eternity to be dealt with by reception (who were only busy talking to each other as far as I could work out), and the instructor we sat down with spent the entire time complaining how exhausted he was. After a rushed mini tour of the 'facilities' which even included a grunt from the 'head honcho' we left feeling rather disillusioned.
Still, I felt perhaps we'd been unlucky and I decided to go back on another day for a second opinion (afterall I really DID want to train there if only for convenience). I spoke to a second instructor (whose name I forget but was the type who would be probably call 'a spade a spade' and who I believed at the time might be better suited as a London cabbie). After lecturing me on how unlikely it was that i'd get through an IR test first time and how he despaired at how inexperienced 200 hour pilots hoped to pass in minimum training hours I once again left feeling dissappointed, and with cheque book firmly in pocket!
Both myself and my friend ended up going to Professional Air Training in Bournemouth (and with the extra accommodation costs) who sold the course to us in 10 minutes flat by telling us they'd ''get it right, first time'' and subsequently helped me (and my pal) get through our CPL/IR's first time, AND in minimum time... fabulous place and people, but I digress.
Maybe if i'd still done my training at SFC i'd have a completely different impression and I completly accept that others have had very positive experiences......I didn't (twice), and I am still amazed there are businesses like these that turn good money away from their door.
I echo the earlier comment to refrain from training at a school just because you live close by.
As an afterthought can I just mention that in my limited experience flying commercially for the last 5 years with 2 different UK carriers I have never once been called a c**t in a training environment (and would never expect to be). I personally don't think that particular style of training has any place in modern day aviation training, it's just lazy and serves no purpose....it perhaps worked 40 years ago but I hope we have moved on from those pre-CRM days. I was lucky enough to instruct for a year before gaining my first airline job and found that the best results would always be gained from building a students confidence, not destroying it.
Good luck to all.
Last edited by ruthers; 11th Mar 2010 at 21:01.
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I feel compelled to post a reply in defense of some of the comments as I was the first person to have a negative view of Stapleford.
I went there to really make it work and it was with heavy heart that I left SFC and I didn't do it lightly. My parents live in Oxford so if I was going to go anywhere that was easy for me Essex wasn't it but no I liked the look of the place and wanted to go there.
I left after a myriad of different issues not just how the receptionists behaved but the surly attitude from Colin Dobney dribbled down to the instructors who thought that his example was acceptable behaviour. I was not the only one, there was a raft of other students in the summer of 2006 who felt they were being treated badly.
I left and went solo in two days with another instructor in Scotland, did the bulk of my license in the UK and completed it in San Diego. So I have had plenty of experience of other flying schools and at the time Stapleford was not being well run.
I had worked in the film industry for years as my day job before I started flight training and spent a year working for Michael Winner when I was 19, so I think I can take being called a c
t.
When you're paying over 45k somewhere you are at the end of the day a customer as well as a student. I appreciate the positive quotes that are here for the place and maybe they have learnt and turned a customer sevice corner? As I said my experiences were 3 1/2 years ago.
I went there to really make it work and it was with heavy heart that I left SFC and I didn't do it lightly. My parents live in Oxford so if I was going to go anywhere that was easy for me Essex wasn't it but no I liked the look of the place and wanted to go there.
I left after a myriad of different issues not just how the receptionists behaved but the surly attitude from Colin Dobney dribbled down to the instructors who thought that his example was acceptable behaviour. I was not the only one, there was a raft of other students in the summer of 2006 who felt they were being treated badly.
I left and went solo in two days with another instructor in Scotland, did the bulk of my license in the UK and completed it in San Diego. So I have had plenty of experience of other flying schools and at the time Stapleford was not being well run.
I had worked in the film industry for years as my day job before I started flight training and spent a year working for Michael Winner when I was 19, so I think I can take being called a c
t. When you're paying over 45k somewhere you are at the end of the day a customer as well as a student. I appreciate the positive quotes that are here for the place and maybe they have learnt and turned a customer sevice corner? As I said my experiences were 3 1/2 years ago.
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It's worrying to me that certain people on this thread think that, not only is it acceptable, but normal to be called derogatory names during flight training and indeed during your PROFESSIONAL career
. It's not.
Thats part if the reason the industry has gone the way it has....
. It's not. Thats part if the reason the industry has gone the way it has....
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BellyAir...it's not about being soft
... It's about respect. Which is sadly lacking in the UK...just look at the posts about the way security staff treat pilots
.
Anywho, enough negative thoughts about SFC...those days are long behind me
... It's about respect. Which is sadly lacking in the UK...just look at the posts about the way security staff treat pilots.Anywho, enough negative thoughts about SFC...those days are long behind me
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Just to shove my tuppenyworth in here...
First of all, I've only done my PPL ( + Night rating later) at Stapleford back in 2005 (ish). My experiences were
1) I was lucky enough to get the same instructor for the entire course, except one time when he was on holiday. That was the day of my XCQ so I had someone else sign me off for it.
2) A couple of the receptionists were very pleasant and chatty. The rest seemed to just get on with their jobs. As someone pointed out, the reception area is open and they have to deal with phone calls (alot), booking aircraft in and out, tech logs plus a load of other crap, and they can get VERY busy. Just because they didn't want to shoot the breeze that day doesn't mean they're being rude.
3) Colin always seemed a bit distant to me - I never really spoke to him. But then again he did run the CPL side and seemed to have nothing to do with the PPL syllabus. However, there are several exceptionally good and helpful instructors there - Keith Pogmore, Tony Glover spring to mind - who are very experienced, a pleasure to fly with and are more than happy to have a chat with you if you have any problems.
4) The airfield can get a bit boggy during the winter, but there's not many places you can train on grass one day, tarmac the other, plus some off-putting gradients !! You also learn from day one the importance of keeping a good lookout and operating in a very busy environment.
5) The aircraft (152s) are in a state. There are about 3 that are ok, the rest look knackered. This was a real issue for me. Fortunately, my instructor favoured one (one of the good ones). He always got it, as the abbreviated callsign was his initials. The P28s seem well-maintained though. Shame they got rid of their one 172.
I don't regret learning there. I've since moved to the other side of the M25, but still go back for some training (Night rating, some aeros) every now and again.
I'm thinking of doing a CPL in a year or two, and would go back again. Probably wouldn't fly at a weekend, though, as it gets very busy.
First of all, I've only done my PPL ( + Night rating later) at Stapleford back in 2005 (ish). My experiences were
1) I was lucky enough to get the same instructor for the entire course, except one time when he was on holiday. That was the day of my XCQ so I had someone else sign me off for it.
2) A couple of the receptionists were very pleasant and chatty. The rest seemed to just get on with their jobs. As someone pointed out, the reception area is open and they have to deal with phone calls (alot), booking aircraft in and out, tech logs plus a load of other crap, and they can get VERY busy. Just because they didn't want to shoot the breeze that day doesn't mean they're being rude.
3) Colin always seemed a bit distant to me - I never really spoke to him. But then again he did run the CPL side and seemed to have nothing to do with the PPL syllabus. However, there are several exceptionally good and helpful instructors there - Keith Pogmore, Tony Glover spring to mind - who are very experienced, a pleasure to fly with and are more than happy to have a chat with you if you have any problems.
4) The airfield can get a bit boggy during the winter, but there's not many places you can train on grass one day, tarmac the other, plus some off-putting gradients !! You also learn from day one the importance of keeping a good lookout and operating in a very busy environment.
5) The aircraft (152s) are in a state. There are about 3 that are ok, the rest look knackered. This was a real issue for me. Fortunately, my instructor favoured one (one of the good ones). He always got it, as the abbreviated callsign was his initials. The P28s seem well-maintained though. Shame they got rid of their one 172.
I don't regret learning there. I've since moved to the other side of the M25, but still go back for some training (Night rating, some aeros) every now and again.
I'm thinking of doing a CPL in a year or two, and would go back again. Probably wouldn't fly at a weekend, though, as it gets very busy.
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3 Bars
your point about how security staff treat flight and cabing crew is specious.
It is unconnected to banter between equals, colleagues and friends.
Security in the UK is now the responsibility of people who did not excel at school and to compensate, their rules of engagement are stightly wound because they can't be trusted to make a decision for themselves.
your point about how security staff treat flight and cabing crew is specious.
It is unconnected to banter between equals, colleagues and friends.
Security in the UK is now the responsibility of people who did not excel at school and to compensate, their rules of engagement are stightly wound because they can't be trusted to make a decision for themselves.
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Stapleford testimonies
Each person's experience of a particular place will certainly differ as time progresses. I finished up at SFC in May 2007 and felt that I passed through their doors at a time when things were riding high. By and large, there were a group of individuals (both instructors and commercial students) who were a fairly tight group. There was certainly a positive atmosphere about the place, people worked hard and achieved results. I for one formed a lot of firm relationships at SFC and often reminisce upon fond memories. Even Colin brings a smile to my face when I look back at it!
To me Stapleford was what it was. There was no bullsh1t, hidden agenda or earth shattering promises. You worked hard at your flying, you made your mistakes along the way, you corrected them with the aid of some very good instructing. You sat the skills test, you passed. With CD at the helm, no prisoners were taken. In order to reap everything that SFC could offer you needed to take your training seriously. I watched a few guys piss about and Colin et.al duly let them. We were all adults at the end of the day and it was all down to the individual. People weren't only in the receiving end of flight training lessons, but also lessons on how a life in aviation would treat you.
If you couldn't stand up to a bit of blunt treatment or a few choice words at SFC then how were you going to cope on the line? I've been flying commercially for two years now and if you get the impression that this is a touchy feely environment where people's feelings are the forefront of everything, then please don't give up that day job!
Nearly three years have passed since I left and I hope that the old place is, by and large, still promoting the same culture. It won't be everyones cup of tea and if you want a bit of flash and glamour to your FTO with some ego caressing when you feel needy, then I would rethink. I sought a place with a reputation for getting results. I felt I got that, as did many others who i trained with at the time.
To me Stapleford was what it was. There was no bullsh1t, hidden agenda or earth shattering promises. You worked hard at your flying, you made your mistakes along the way, you corrected them with the aid of some very good instructing. You sat the skills test, you passed. With CD at the helm, no prisoners were taken. In order to reap everything that SFC could offer you needed to take your training seriously. I watched a few guys piss about and Colin et.al duly let them. We were all adults at the end of the day and it was all down to the individual. People weren't only in the receiving end of flight training lessons, but also lessons on how a life in aviation would treat you.
If you couldn't stand up to a bit of blunt treatment or a few choice words at SFC then how were you going to cope on the line? I've been flying commercially for two years now and if you get the impression that this is a touchy feely environment where people's feelings are the forefront of everything, then please don't give up that day job!
Nearly three years have passed since I left and I hope that the old place is, by and large, still promoting the same culture. It won't be everyones cup of tea and if you want a bit of flash and glamour to your FTO with some ego caressing when you feel needy, then I would rethink. I sought a place with a reputation for getting results. I felt I got that, as did many others who i trained with at the time.
Last edited by Callsign Kilo; 13th Mar 2010 at 16:45.
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Hello,
I did part of my PPL training with SFC around 2004/2005, then due to personal issues had to stop. I had a great instructor whom I believe has retired and is now working for the CAA. He was very good, sometimes tough, but very professional, always providing feedback and testing ones knowledge and preparation for the flight, and he was also approachable when one wanted an explanation.
Learning from Stapleford Airfield was a great experience, having a choice of grass/asphalt runway and the gradients too.
With regards to reception I concur with some opinions already expressed above, not a good experience, but then again I was there to fly, so my contact with reception was minimal.
Can’t comment about an opinion on Colin, since I never spoke to him, the fleet is generally old but well maintained and never had any problems.
Overall I had a great time with SFC, I am planning to resume my flying once again and will be looking at SFC, 5 years passed since I last flew so I am sure the place is different and with new faces, etc… (if anyone can recommend a good PPL instructor please PM me).
I did part of my PPL training with SFC around 2004/2005, then due to personal issues had to stop. I had a great instructor whom I believe has retired and is now working for the CAA. He was very good, sometimes tough, but very professional, always providing feedback and testing ones knowledge and preparation for the flight, and he was also approachable when one wanted an explanation.
Learning from Stapleford Airfield was a great experience, having a choice of grass/asphalt runway and the gradients too.
With regards to reception I concur with some opinions already expressed above, not a good experience, but then again I was there to fly, so my contact with reception was minimal.
Can’t comment about an opinion on Colin, since I never spoke to him, the fleet is generally old but well maintained and never had any problems.
Overall I had a great time with SFC, I am planning to resume my flying once again and will be looking at SFC, 5 years passed since I last flew so I am sure the place is different and with new faces, etc… (if anyone can recommend a good PPL instructor please PM me).
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Some fascinating comments. It doesn’t sound like the place has changed much since I last flew there (2007), and there’s not much I’d disagree with.
On the plus side, Stapleford has a long history of producing airline pilots and, IMHO, a deserved reputation for decent quality training. They are also cheaper than many alternatives, and the DA42s are an attraction if glass screens float your boat. They would certainly be well worth considering.
However, - and this is particularly relevant for commercial training - Stapleford aerodrome is an A/G radio field, in uncontrolled airspace, with no instrument approaches. It gets extremely muddy in winter, and if your Seneca or Diamond goes off the end of the tarmac bit, it’ll take ages to dig you out (have seen it happen). Bear in mind as well that the IRT has to be done at Cranfield. Compare and contrast with Bournemouth (I ended up going to PAT) which is class D airspace, with radar facilities, ILS and NDB approaches at both ends of the runway, and CAA examiners on-site. I felt that environment was more beneficial for someone aiming for an airline job, and my view hasn’t changed since then.
Less important, but still a consideration, is the ‘feel’ of the place. It’s certainly not the friendliest place I’ve ever been, which was an issue for me – bearing in mind the amount of money I was about to spend. I didn’t want sunshine blown up my behind or a group hug every morning, but I too have heard the HoT describe another student as a c***, which - in full earshot of anyone in reception - I felt was unprofessional. And for what it’s worth, I have never heard a TRE/TRI or indeed any trainer at my airline talk about anyone in those terms. Personally, I don’t think it’s big or clever.
Still, horses for courses, and I still say it’s a decent school.
On the plus side, Stapleford has a long history of producing airline pilots and, IMHO, a deserved reputation for decent quality training. They are also cheaper than many alternatives, and the DA42s are an attraction if glass screens float your boat. They would certainly be well worth considering.
However, - and this is particularly relevant for commercial training - Stapleford aerodrome is an A/G radio field, in uncontrolled airspace, with no instrument approaches. It gets extremely muddy in winter, and if your Seneca or Diamond goes off the end of the tarmac bit, it’ll take ages to dig you out (have seen it happen). Bear in mind as well that the IRT has to be done at Cranfield. Compare and contrast with Bournemouth (I ended up going to PAT) which is class D airspace, with radar facilities, ILS and NDB approaches at both ends of the runway, and CAA examiners on-site. I felt that environment was more beneficial for someone aiming for an airline job, and my view hasn’t changed since then.
Less important, but still a consideration, is the ‘feel’ of the place. It’s certainly not the friendliest place I’ve ever been, which was an issue for me – bearing in mind the amount of money I was about to spend. I didn’t want sunshine blown up my behind or a group hug every morning, but I too have heard the HoT describe another student as a c***, which - in full earshot of anyone in reception - I felt was unprofessional. And for what it’s worth, I have never heard a TRE/TRI or indeed any trainer at my airline talk about anyone in those terms. Personally, I don’t think it’s big or clever.
Still, horses for courses, and I still say it’s a decent school.
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Wow what a balanced thread about a school for once on here !!.
I too trained at Stapleford, and agree with most of the comments on here, both good and bad but this one caught my eye as it is the one thing that really pied me off about Stapleford...
That is what lets them down, their "customer" service - some of the people on the "customer service" side of the business seem to forget that you are not just a student, but you are a CUSTOMER too, and one that is spending a small fortune with them - well enough to pay for Colin's shiny new Merc anyway !!. If you walked into a car showroom to spend £45k+, and you were gossiped about and called a cyounexttuesday, then you would walk right back out again and go elsewhere.
Sadly though with aviation training, nobody wants to get a bad name for themselves right at the start, so probably don't bother to complain for fear of being failed on a test or loosing out on a job or an interview as a result (aviation is a small world after all) so Capt Dobney feels he can get away with it as there is not even anyone to complain too about it !!.
I don't expect smoke to be blown up my a$$ or have things done for me, I have worked hard for everything I've achieved so far and I've been in the industry long enough now to know that how things are at Stapleford isn't how it is in the real world, so why he feels the need to make people feel uncomfortable there I don't know - maybe it's an ego thing, or maybe he is just bitter and twisted as all these students passing through are potentially going on to have a successful airline career
. But when I'm paying good money for a service I at least expect them to help me out if I have an issue or need guidence on something, especially when it is related to something which they are supposed to know about.
They mucked my training up big time by not acting on info I had given them until it was too late, and it ended up costing ME as a result - both in terms of extra time and money - didn't even get so much as an apology despite them having plenty of notice about the issue and being reminded several times.
It annoyed me so much that I actually looked into going elsewhere to complete my training - however the only reason I stayed was because I was going onto the IR, and the IR instructors there are excellent, and the DA-42 and the sim's were pretty much the best on offer at the time.
At the end of the day though, if you can put up with a little BS from time to time, the instructors are excellent, they did what I'd paid them to do and I walked away with that blue book, and still saved money on what other schools charge despite going over hours through no fault of my own.
I too trained at Stapleford, and agree with most of the comments on here, both good and bad but this one caught my eye as it is the one thing that really pi
ed me off about Stapleford...
When you're paying over 45k somewhere you are at the end of the day a customer as well as a student.
Sadly though with aviation training, nobody wants to get a bad name for themselves right at the start, so probably don't bother to complain for fear of being failed on a test or loosing out on a job or an interview as a result (aviation is a small world after all) so Capt Dobney feels he can get away with it as there is not even anyone to complain too about it !!.
I don't expect smoke to be blown up my a$$ or have things done for me, I have worked hard for everything I've achieved so far and I've been in the industry long enough now to know that how things are at Stapleford isn't how it is in the real world, so why he feels the need to make people feel uncomfortable there I don't know - maybe it's an ego thing, or maybe he is just bitter and twisted as all these students passing through are potentially going on to have a successful airline career
. But when I'm paying good money for a service I at least expect them to help me out if I have an issue or need guidence on something, especially when it is related to something which they are supposed to know about.They mucked my training up big time by not acting on info I had given them until it was too late, and it ended up costing ME as a result - both in terms of extra time and money - didn't even get so much as an apology despite them having plenty of notice about the issue and being reminded several times.
It annoyed me so much that I actually looked into going elsewhere to complete my training - however the only reason I stayed was because I was going onto the IR, and the IR instructors there are excellent, and the DA-42 and the sim's were pretty much the best on offer at the time.
At the end of the day though, if you can put up with a little BS from time to time, the instructors are excellent, they did what I'd paid them to do and I walked away with that blue book, and still saved money on what other schools charge despite going over hours through no fault of my own.
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I am sure there are other good schools too, I am not proclaiming Stapelford is the best, however from what I have experienced they seem to run a pretty clean machine. And if they are busy, well that shows a few things, many students, they don't need to drain your pocket for money, because they need to free up space for the next student.
I have seen many schools/instructors maybe less busy, but this also means they will depend more on your business, and for you to stay their student longest possible.
No place will be perfect, everyone will have their positive and negative stories, I personally like the places that do not oversell their establishment, and give me peace to make up my own mind and then decide, there are many slick sales people, and to be honest they love you, and make you feel they are your best friend, until you have handed over your money, and you dont exist anymore!
Also personally I would want the training to be rather harder then the real test, and the instructors to be more strict then maybe required for the CAA exams, I personally would not like to get an easy ride just because I might feel to sensitive.
I have heard many stories of some pretty awfull PPL students & PPL pilots, flying at both Stapelford and other flying schools - and maybe some of these do deserve a rough ride, so they either wake up and get their act together, or if not possible to adhere with good airmanship quit flying completly.
I also believe it depends on each students attitude, when I started I did not go asking them for advice, and what to do, I knew what I wanted, I got one instructor, I was happy with him, and agreed directly with him that I did not want to swap around with instructors, and planned all my bookings directly with him, and guess what? I did every lesson with him, sure there was frustrations due to weather conditions, runway conditions etc., however considering the price and their reputation is pretty good, you can't go to much wrong.
I am sure there are other equally good around, which might have similar prices, and there are others that cost much more.
What I liked was the honesty that they did not try to rip me of by making me fly more hours then I needed, when they felt I was good enough, they let me have my skill test, and to be honest, at much less hours then I expected. I had not been flying for 16 - 17 years, and I had 14 hours dual before my skill test, I actually wanted to fly a little more, but was not required.
Would I want to pay another extra 30.000 - 40.000 (Oxford example) for someone to hold my hand, a place like Stapelford it's up to yourself and what you make out of it. For some, this is not always the best.
I have seen many schools/instructors maybe less busy, but this also means they will depend more on your business, and for you to stay their student longest possible.
No place will be perfect, everyone will have their positive and negative stories, I personally like the places that do not oversell their establishment, and give me peace to make up my own mind and then decide, there are many slick sales people, and to be honest they love you, and make you feel they are your best friend, until you have handed over your money, and you dont exist anymore!
Also personally I would want the training to be rather harder then the real test, and the instructors to be more strict then maybe required for the CAA exams, I personally would not like to get an easy ride just because I might feel to sensitive.
I have heard many stories of some pretty awfull PPL students & PPL pilots, flying at both Stapelford and other flying schools - and maybe some of these do deserve a rough ride, so they either wake up and get their act together, or if not possible to adhere with good airmanship quit flying completly.
I also believe it depends on each students attitude, when I started I did not go asking them for advice, and what to do, I knew what I wanted, I got one instructor, I was happy with him, and agreed directly with him that I did not want to swap around with instructors, and planned all my bookings directly with him, and guess what? I did every lesson with him, sure there was frustrations due to weather conditions, runway conditions etc., however considering the price and their reputation is pretty good, you can't go to much wrong.
I am sure there are other equally good around, which might have similar prices, and there are others that cost much more.
What I liked was the honesty that they did not try to rip me of by making me fly more hours then I needed, when they felt I was good enough, they let me have my skill test, and to be honest, at much less hours then I expected. I had not been flying for 16 - 17 years, and I had 14 hours dual before my skill test, I actually wanted to fly a little more, but was not required.
Would I want to pay another extra 30.000 - 40.000 (Oxford example) for someone to hold my hand, a place like Stapelford it's up to yourself and what you make out of it. For some, this is not always the best.
Join Date: Jul 2007
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A reasoned reply by tigermagicjohn.
I did a portion of my training there and would comment as follows with respect to MY experience:
PRO's
Efficient
Good Facilities/Aircraft
Brian Peppercorn
NEG's
Priority given to 0 to hero students over modular. Little cliques, "them and us" prevalent, however to be fair, maybe not for SFC to resolve.
Inappropriate behaviour by discussing my payments and account in reception loudly.
Runway.
IR instruction consisted of reading book, show up and fly, I was used to a more consultative discussion/instruction before a lesson than just a debrief.
I did a portion of my training there and would comment as follows with respect to MY experience:
PRO's
Efficient
Good Facilities/Aircraft
Brian Peppercorn
NEG's
Priority given to 0 to hero students over modular. Little cliques, "them and us" prevalent, however to be fair, maybe not for SFC to resolve.
Inappropriate behaviour by discussing my payments and account in reception loudly.
Runway.
IR instruction consisted of reading book, show up and fly, I was used to a more consultative discussion/instruction before a lesson than just a debrief.