Keilir Aviation Academy - Update
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Keilir Aviation Academy - Update
Hello guys and gals,
I am just looking for students experience on this Icelandic school, as it is very new and the last informative post was in 2010 I thought there may be some people who have gone through the process of ME/IR training (or in fact any training with them).
As far as I know, they don't include accommodation in the package anymore and was intrigued as to where people had elected to stay independently. Also, being located on the southern peninsula of Iceland a good 45 mins drive away from Reykjavik, the area looks extremely baron (a good environment for training) But also has the potential to make you crazy with no human contact.
Any thoughts and responses are very welcome, I'm just trying to gather as much information as possible as it is few and far between at the moment.
Many thanks
I am just looking for students experience on this Icelandic school, as it is very new and the last informative post was in 2010 I thought there may be some people who have gone through the process of ME/IR training (or in fact any training with them).
As far as I know, they don't include accommodation in the package anymore and was intrigued as to where people had elected to stay independently. Also, being located on the southern peninsula of Iceland a good 45 mins drive away from Reykjavik, the area looks extremely baron (a good environment for training) But also has the potential to make you crazy with no human contact.
Any thoughts and responses are very welcome, I'm just trying to gather as much information as possible as it is few and far between at the moment.
Many thanks
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A friend is now at KAA and he is converting his FAA licence. He actually hates where he is because it's boring according to him. As to KAA, still according to him, is a very good school. But he's been there only for a week so far but he's still impressed.
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Hi Junior,
I did my CPL, IR and ME at Keilir 2010-2011 (finished in November 2011).
Pro's:
New and well equipped aircraft, Diamond DA40 og DA42NG used for CPL and IR flights, all G1000 equipped. They only have one DA42 so when its grounded you are grounded, but the have a in-house mecanic (not outsourced) so he pretty much sleeps in the hangar and does a great job keeping the birds in the air. The DA42 is FKI certified.
Instuctors: Most of them are employed as pilots at the airlines, so very experienced. My instructors were very professional and keen to keep things going.
Facilities: Very nice facilities for preflight/postflight
Attractive price:the DA40 is 160EUR per hour (excluding instructor) and DA42 around 330-340EUR. You think you can get some discount if you buy a package deal.
No landing /approach fees
Con's:
You don't get an airport pass until after couple of weeks, so the instructors have to pickup you up at the security gate "sponsor" you in via a temp. ID pass and drive you to hangar/school. It can be a hassle but you get used to it
No problem if you get a long term airport ID
Overall, I would recomend it. I can't give you any inside to life "on campus" since I live in Iceland. The school is located on a fomer US Navy base, so lots of cheap housing BUT it is a pretty quiet campus, to put it mildly But I know a few europeans that took the free bus to Reykjavik to party (alot) The good thing is that if you live on campus, you spend all your money and time (and energy) on flying, no distraction.
The airspace is nice, the rushhour is from 0700-0900, 1500-1730 and again at midnight, with several 757 and 737 sized aircraft arriving/departing, other than that it is quiet so plenty of time to practice. The ATC is friendly, giving you lots of space and patience.
Contact my if you want further info
Edit: They have a Facebook page with pretty decent pictures of their aircraft and flying in Iceland http://www.facebook.com/keiliraviationacademy
I did my CPL, IR and ME at Keilir 2010-2011 (finished in November 2011).
Pro's:
New and well equipped aircraft, Diamond DA40 og DA42NG used for CPL and IR flights, all G1000 equipped. They only have one DA42 so when its grounded you are grounded, but the have a in-house mecanic (not outsourced) so he pretty much sleeps in the hangar and does a great job keeping the birds in the air. The DA42 is FKI certified.
Instuctors: Most of them are employed as pilots at the airlines, so very experienced. My instructors were very professional and keen to keep things going.
Facilities: Very nice facilities for preflight/postflight
Attractive price:the DA40 is 160EUR per hour (excluding instructor) and DA42 around 330-340EUR. You think you can get some discount if you buy a package deal.
No landing /approach fees
Con's:
You don't get an airport pass until after couple of weeks, so the instructors have to pickup you up at the security gate "sponsor" you in via a temp. ID pass and drive you to hangar/school. It can be a hassle but you get used to it
No problem if you get a long term airport IDOverall, I would recomend it. I can't give you any inside to life "on campus" since I live in Iceland. The school is located on a fomer US Navy base, so lots of cheap housing BUT it is a pretty quiet campus, to put it mildly
But I know a few europeans that took the free bus to Reykjavik to party (alot) The good thing is that if you live on campus, you spend all your money and time (and energy) on flying, no distraction.The airspace is nice, the rushhour is from 0700-0900, 1500-1730 and again at midnight, with several 757 and 737 sized aircraft arriving/departing, other than that it is quiet so plenty of time to practice. The ATC is friendly, giving you lots of space and patience.
Contact my if you want further info
Edit: They have a Facebook page with pretty decent pictures of their aircraft and flying in Iceland http://www.facebook.com/keiliraviationacademy
Last edited by Rocade; 11th Feb 2013 at 17:45.
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Hello everybody!
I have been in Keilir AA in September 2012 for FAA to JAA licenses conversion, this is my impression based on my personal experience.
Pros:
-Very professional instructors;
-Excellent standardization, I have made approx 20h of flight jumping between 4 instructors and I had no problems at all.
-Excellent fleet;
-Excellent facilities;
-Icelandic CAA is very efficient: 2 or 3 days between the flight exam request and the effective date. And the day later after the flight exam I had my license.
-Free bus to Reykjanesbær and Reykjavík.
Cons:
-At that time the instructors were quite busy so I had sometimes to wait some days to fly;
-Sometimes it was difficult to communicate with the training manager. Of course nobody will push you to fly and towards the paperwork, so you have to be dynamic, make phone calls, verify every paperwork is good and done, etc...
-As Rocade wrote there is only one twin engine, so if it is in maintenance you are grounded.
-Iceland can be pretty expensive!
I was in the "short time" accommodation that is an ex military base residence. That area is semi-abandoned. There is a restaurant 1 minute walk and a supermarket 30 minutes walk. Other than that you have to take a bus ( or walk several km). The accommodation was comfortable, there is a shared big kitchen, pool, sofa study area and every 2 rooms there is one additional small kitchen and toilet. Anyway I've never had to share those facilities, probably the staff try not to put people in adjacent rooms.
From there to the airport it takes about 20 minutes walking, and if it is windy 20KT (very common) raining or snowing, you'll get wet and cold... but this is Iceland!
If you are a party dude you can go to Reykjavík, renting a car in the nearby B&B or via bus, and you'll find many clubs, restaurants, nightlife etc... but if you stay in the residence you may find yourself semi-alone. Basically it depends upon your personality whether you find it boring or not!
The Icelandic ATC system was overall very good, they let you do real IFR training (under real IFR flight plan) without many problems and letting you ask progressive clearances. Conversely once every while the Keflavík airport decided to stop all training flights for the whole day giving very short advance (sometimes no advance).
After all, my advice is, before starting, to ask for a personalized estimate based on your personal aeronautical experience (if any) to avoid misunderstandings.
Just my 2 cents!
Cheers!
B
I have been in Keilir AA in September 2012 for FAA to JAA licenses conversion, this is my impression based on my personal experience.
Pros:
-Very professional instructors;
-Excellent standardization, I have made approx 20h of flight jumping between 4 instructors and I had no problems at all.
-Excellent fleet;
-Excellent facilities;
-Icelandic CAA is very efficient: 2 or 3 days between the flight exam request and the effective date. And the day later after the flight exam I had my license.
-Free bus to Reykjanesbær and Reykjavík.
Cons:
-At that time the instructors were quite busy so I had sometimes to wait some days to fly;
-Sometimes it was difficult to communicate with the training manager. Of course nobody will push you to fly and towards the paperwork, so you have to be dynamic, make phone calls, verify every paperwork is good and done, etc...
-As Rocade wrote there is only one twin engine, so if it is in maintenance you are grounded.
-Iceland can be pretty expensive!
I was in the "short time" accommodation that is an ex military base residence. That area is semi-abandoned. There is a restaurant 1 minute walk and a supermarket 30 minutes walk. Other than that you have to take a bus ( or walk several km). The accommodation was comfortable, there is a shared big kitchen, pool, sofa study area and every 2 rooms there is one additional small kitchen and toilet. Anyway I've never had to share those facilities, probably the staff try not to put people in adjacent rooms.
From there to the airport it takes about 20 minutes walking, and if it is windy 20KT (very common) raining or snowing, you'll get wet and cold... but this is Iceland!
If you are a party dude you can go to Reykjavík, renting a car in the nearby B&B or via bus, and you'll find many clubs, restaurants, nightlife etc... but if you stay in the residence you may find yourself semi-alone. Basically it depends upon your personality whether you find it boring or not!
The Icelandic ATC system was overall very good, they let you do real IFR training (under real IFR flight plan) without many problems and letting you ask progressive clearances. Conversely once every while the Keflavík airport decided to stop all training flights for the whole day giving very short advance (sometimes no advance).
After all, my advice is, before starting, to ask for a personalized estimate based on your personal aeronautical experience (if any) to avoid misunderstandings.
Just my 2 cents!
Cheers!
B
