Hi, I am 16 years old and have just started my PPL training. I did my trial lesson at Donair flying school, then I did my first real lesson at East Midlands flying school. But I have a realtive that has been recommending another flying school. My question is, should I just stick to one flying school or could I change around looking for the best one?
Ideally, you should find one school that you're happy with and stick with them. That way you'll have continuity of training, continuity of aircraft and instructor, and you'll get used to the airfield. If you have to keep learning new procedures as well as learning to fly (and all those text books), it'll take forever.
It is worth having a couple of trial lessons with different clubs just to see what sort of school you feel most comfortable with. Some schools are quite "official", others more informal. You may find you prefer a school at a grass airfield with fewer procedures to one based at a big airfield with full ATC.
Once you've found a school/club you're happy with, stay there and try to fly at least once a week. Hope this helps!
Hi James, I to have looked at the phoenix school but it ia a little to far away for me to travel all the many time you will have to whern you start. I to went to east mid fling school, i had a trail lesson there. They seemed very friendly but i found them to be a bit pricey. where are you living? if its the notts area you should have a look at truman flying school at nottinghan airport. they have a web site. The reason i chose them over east mids school is there will be less waiting for take off(no commercial jets taking off and landing)Which costs you valuable flighing time! plus they offered a better discount on block book flying time. Thanks, Mark
Time in the air is the really crucial bit. It's ideal if you live close to the airfield where you'll be doing most of your flying - that way you make the most of weather 'windows'. You can learn procedures and stuff on the ground in any old weather, but you need that time flying to build your skills and confidence. Time spent waiting behind big jets is - literally! - money being burnt!