This Review Overall Rating
I followed the AUPRT training at AirPlan and was very pleased with everything. Since there aren't many reviews around for this well-known provider I decided to write one.
First of all I contacted AirPlan on two weeks notice for a definitive date, my compliments for arranging everything in time.
The communication was pleasant as Nadia was always quick and complete in her answers. She arranged that I could join the theory course a week later, and fly the week after.
The theory course is done from home and held online via a Skype group meeting. During 5 hours we discussed various related topics and finished with an exam. The course doesn't go very in-depth on theoretical subjects. Overall good course and a friendly instructor.
Note that the training itself is done at Megara (LGMG) which is about 50' driving from Athens International (LGAV).
Upon my arrival I rented a Fiat Panda at the airport for about €16 per day via Europecar and drove directly towards my hotel near Megara.
The roads were very calm and I paid about €5 toll (oneway). If you choose to rent a car just avoid driving trough Athens' city center, as it is chaotic.
I stayed just west of Megara in a place called hotel Cokkinis. An absolute pearl located at a 15' drive from the airport. It has a small private beach and a good restaurant. I paid €60 for a night including breakfast, and another €16 for a good dinner.
Alternatively you can stay in Athens, take the train to Megara (about 1h) and get a taxi to the airport. Maybe if you're lucky the FI is willing to pick you up from the train station.
The next morning I headed for the airport and met with my instructor in AirPlan's small office. The FI is an experienced jet- and aerobatics pilot who provides a-uprt for various well-known ATO's in Greece. He knows his stuff and is very relaxed and friendly.
We briefed for approx. 45' before heading out to the plane.
The course is done a C172 which I think is a very logical choice to perform the a-uprt acc. to EASA's FCL.745; nose high, nose low, belly-up, spin, it can do all the mandatory stuff perfectly well at a decent price. If you want to experience sustained inverted flight, loops, cubans etc. I'd suggest to just rent a aerobatic plane with an FI for an hour - way more economical! Especially if you're unexperienced with unusual attitudes and increased/decreased g-loadings the course on a C172 will be plenty.
The course is structured as a single flight of 3 block hours so take that into account. I believe taking a brake in between is possible at an additional charge.
We got in the aircraft, headed out to the training area over the sea (great views!) and commenced the course.
The instruction is great and really focussed on student's performance and comfort.
After completing the flight you will have to pickup your original certificate back at the main office in Markopoulu, close to Athens airport (LGAV). I picked the cert. up, refilled the car for €20 (10 ltr) and returned it the airport. I finally took the metro to the city center of Athens for a small holiday.
Cost overview:
Car rental (2 days): €32 --> 1 day could suffice.
Fuel: €20
Toll: €10
Hotel+breakfast: €60
Dinner at hotel: €16
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Total: €136
Course(s) taken:
General
Aircraft
Theoretical Training
Practical Training
