To reward me for completing my Bachelor of Arts Degree (graduating this time next year), my parents are going to fulfill a dream of mine and that is to fund flying lessons for me, with the intention of getting myself my Private Pilot’s Licence.
I currently live in Reading, Berkshire and am keen to know what the cost of this would be (not an issue) and what flying schools I have locally.
Any help would be appreciated.
By: Propstrike - 6th July 2005 at 21:01
Y 11 Fan,
If you are visiting Reading, Waltham is the obvious choice, with 3 ( or is that six) big grass runways, all with a few little bumps which can be blamed if your arrival is a trifle springy. Maidenhead station is a short taxi ride, and then quick rail connection straight to Reading ( 9 miles)
Further West, don’t forget Brimpton which is on the west side of Reading a few miles out- a lovely strip, though not overly long. The resident Provosts do not have a problem. PPR on this one- £5 landing fee.
By: lozhowlett - 6th July 2005 at 11:51
cheap is not alway good!
I dont my PPL at NSOF, Sywell (now moved to sibson). Although at the time not the cheapest place to do it, I found that the club, the owners and the planes were great. I fly a PA28, again I could have done it cheaper in a 150 or something, but I feel the PA28 gave me a bit more confidence in my flying.
All in all, go where you feel most at home, where you can go and relax. Most of all find an instructor that suits you, dont be affriad to change them either, I think I had about 4 in the end, mainly 2, doug and charly, but always felt at home jumping in the plane with anyone there!
Have a great time doing it…
P.s. I dont mine while doing my dissertation in the final year of uni, and still got a 2:1 Hons, in Business Entrepreneurship!
Adios for now!
By: Flying chick - 3rd July 2005 at 15:00
You are very lucky – I had to pay for mine myself!
Can’t advise as not from the area but I would just say that the poshest, ponciest places aren’t always the best places to learn.
By: T5 - 30th June 2005 at 23:59
Thanks for the help, guys. 🙂
I’m going to start doing some research on the airfields you have suggested and hope to keep you informed of my progress in a few weeks from now.
By: Yak 11 Fan - 30th June 2005 at 23:43
As a PPL who frequently visits Reading, would White Waltham be the best place to land?
By: Propstrike - 30th June 2005 at 20:37
Thai, I would suggest you investigate West London Hero Club at White Waltham, not the cheapest, but you intimate that cost is not an issue. The club atmosphere is unrivalled, with a wonderful ‘Battle of Britain’ feel to the place, and a great range of really interesting, based aeroplanes.
The club fleet caters for all tastes, from singles, twins, tailwheel, and Waltham is a hot-bed of aerobatics, offering top-class tuition. Other airfields I have visited offer a service akin to hiring a car, ie reasonably effecient but you arrive, pick up the keys, do your stuff, pay the bill, and leave. Though it is a commercial operation, there is a strong ‘Club’ atmosphere, and I strongly suggest you check it out.
PM me if you would like to meet up, and I will show you round, with pleasure.
By: DME - 30th June 2005 at 17:53
Good to see you’re going for the PPL T5. I’m not from that area, so I can’t offer any suggestions, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy………
dme
By: Gromit - 30th June 2005 at 13:54
A few thoughts from a PPL holder living in Reading:
Moggy C’s advice is spot-on. You definitely need to find a school/club that suits you personally. I trained for my PPL with Cabair at Blackbushe in 1986 so my experience of them is somewhat out of date but I still run a Group-owned aircraft at Blackbushe and there is a lot to be said for a long hard runway when training!
Compare prices carefully. Check whether Landing Fees are included at your home airfield, whether the hourly rate quoted is only available if you pay a lump sum ‘up-front’ (not a good idea – just ask ex-patrons of the now-defunct European Flyers at Blackbushe) and whether Ground School is included (usually not, except for briefings for individual lessons).
Training abroad is, in my opinion, fraught with danger, both at the time and on return to the U.K. I know people who have had good and bad experiences with schools in the U.S.A. – there seems to be a good case for very careful homework before travelling long distances to train in short periods of time. Training in an environment other than that in which you will be doing most of your flying is going to leave you wanting when dealing with U.K. Airspace, Radio Procedures and, most importantly, Weather.
As for training in the Reading area, I have one more suggestion for you: If you don’t mind a drive of about 45 to 50 minutes instead of 20 to 30 minutes for Blackbushe or White Waltham, I can heartily recommend Western Air at Thruxton (01264 773900). I have been flying with them for a number of years and find them professional, helpful, flexible and very friendly. They have a good selection of aircraft to choose from – PA-28 (Warrior, Cadet and Archer), PA-38, C172, Slingsby T-67M, Super Cub and Aztec. Given that I live in Reading and am prepared to travel to fly their aircraft must be a recommendation in itself! (Note: I don’t work for them and I don’t get discounts or ‘finders fees’!).
One last piece of advice – it is YOUR money. Whichever school you eventually choose is not doing you a favour by letting you learn in their aircraft, so, if you are not happy about something, let them know and, if necessary, be prepared to continue elsewhere if you aren’t satisfied with the service that you are getting.
Best of luck with your PPL!
Gromit.
By: Moggy C - 29th June 2005 at 23:22
Locally…
White Waltham, Fairoaks or Blackbushe seem favourite. Take a trip to each, allocate a fair amount of time to the project. Wander into each club, see how you are treated, get a feel for the place. This should end you up with a shortlist of two or three. Take a trial lesson at each.
Pick the one where you feel most comfortable. This is desperately important, you will be investing a lot of money and your time in learning to fly, enjoying it is the most important part of all.
If, as you say, money is not a problem then you could consider going abroad. The lower cost of training there (US / South Africa / Australia ) will mean you have virtually a free holiday and still come back having spent a little less than in the UK. But beware, flight training taken at your pace is enjoyable. Crammed into three weeks it can become a bit of a chore. Then, when you return, you’ve still got another 49 weeks of the year on which you will be paying to fly at UK rates.
Budget about £6,000 for spending a year learning to fly in the UK. If you go abroad in three weeks you’ll spend perhaps £4,000 all in, but once you return flying for the rest of the year at (say) an hour a week will add another £4,000
Can’t give you personal experience of any of the schools at the fields mentioned.
Moggy
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June 29, 2005 at 11:13 pm