Can anyone recommend a flight school for someone looking to get a private pilot's license in the UK? Ideally would be reasonably close to the London area. 

 

 

TIA

 

 

Scott

What's wrong with Google?

If the results are anything like what you get in the US it is next to useless. I'm not sure why it is but easy to locate a flight school and it is also difficult to find information about them or specific instructors.

 

I would recommend finding a flying club and speaking with their members.

Scott - please ignore the unfirendly "try Google" posts. They are becoming more and more frequent here these days.

 

You asked for a recommendation, and I would suggest The Pilot Centre at Denham airfield, near Uxbridge. Tight circuit and v. busy on flyable days (as all clubs near London will be), but a nice atmosphere there. C152's mostly, with C180's, C172 and C182's for later on.

 

Further afield - not sure whats at Cranfield these days? I also here Booker has a good school or two.

 

Cheers, Rich

When you say close to the London area do you mean north east west or south of London?

 

For the North East  of London you've got a flying school at Stapleford Airfield. Just to the the West of London you've got White Waltham Airfield and Blackbushe airport.

 

Those are the ones I'm aware of. I have no direct experience of any of these.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/search/flying+school/@51.5286823,-0.223111,10z

I found Pilot magazine on Google, which has a list of flying schools in the UK arranged by county.

And did it "recommend" one? No. Hence the OP's post in a forum asking for recommendations.

Jetset408,

 

Although your recommendations are exactly what the OP is looking for, there may be good schools which you are not aware of, so it's useful to have a reference list of what's available so that he can ask about the ones which have not yet been recommended, which may be geographically more suitable. Perhaps he already has a list and so mine is redundant.

Scott - please ignore the unfirendly "try Google" posts. They are becoming more and more frequent here these days.

 

You asked for a recommendation, and I would suggest The Pilot Centre at Denham airfield, near Uxbridge. Tight circuit and v. busy on flyable days (as all clubs near London will be), but a nice atmosphere there. C152's mostly, with C180's, C172 and C182's for later on.

 

Further afield - not sure whats at Cranfield these days? I also here Booker has a good school or two.

 

Cheers, Rich

 

Plus 1, I did all of my PPL here, great aircraft, great people and challenging flying

 

 

Scott - please ignore the unfirendly "try Google" posts.

 

Even so Google found more hits  than you did!

More schools but no recommendations, which is what the OP really wanted.

No worthwhile recommenations either. I wouldn't choose school basic on that basis.

 

It's essential to visit the school and, even more importantly, speak to the actual instructor to make sure you are compatible. After your it's your money you are spending.

I don't think Google do flying lessons any more, do they? .

You might want to try Mid Anglia School of Flying at Cambridge Airport. Little over an hour by train from Kings Cross, and then a short taxi or bus ride. I expect it would be more convenient to London than Cranfield, as going by car out of  London is a nightmare. I Started at MASF last year, but have temporarily terminated flying lessons (due to finances), and I was impressed with the instructors and fleet. They use PA-28's exclusively which will be important if you prefer a low wing aeroplane, as most schools seem to use Cessna's.

 

Here is a link to them:

 

http://www.masfcambridge.com/

 

I hope to start lessons again shortly.

 

Mike

What's wrong with Google?

 

It isn't a flight school.

 

EDIT: Beaten to the punch by Ron, but I forgive him since it's his birthday......and also mine :wink: