This Review Overall Rating
I came to Stapleford after looking a multiple schools upon completing my ATPL’s as part of my modular training. I was fortunate enough to get the last room available in the on site Accomodation. It was basic but provided a good base for me as any cancellations from other students I was able to walk 30 seconds to an aircraft and get going so from that stand point Accomodation was great however can be tricky at times on the social side if things as it is a drive to any major town nearby. From a flying perspective for my CPL I had Anelli Christian Phillips who was fantastic, she was understanding, firm at times which is how I learn and incredibly easy to get on with. Stapleford had 3 arrows to choose from 1 brand new and 2 older models, the older models are showing their age slightly but none the less got me through my CPL first time, for a location to fly Stapleford is fantastic. It keeps your wits about you due to all the airspace around inc stansted, Southend, London city, and Luton which made navigation planning harder. My MEP was done in a Seneca, again similar to the arrow they are very old but sterdy and got the job done for me, some reliability issues here and there but none the less a course completion in 4 days wasn’t bad!
On to the IR, the simulators were fantastic, availability was pretty much 100% of the time, no slot restrictions and handled very much like the aircraft, I felt very prepared both to fly the routes but also prepared with all the hints and tips from my instructor Richard Pietz who is a true gentlemen. Softly spoken, incredibly knowledgeable and very personable. Top bloke. For IR again a top place due to busy ATC interactions with London but a great variety of routes and airways available, however with only 2 diamond DA42’s aircraft availability was very limited at times and one wasn’t in as good condition as the other so made the maintenance hours run around a lot quicker sometimes than expected taking the better aircraft out of action, however maintenance was very swift.
Because I was modular I didn’t have any help from Stapleford with regard to job prospects or future ventures but I didn’t expect it as it wasn’t for them to do so, however when it came to interviews having Stapleford on my CV was a great talking point for many interviewers as they knew the level of flying that was produced from Stapleford, so that was a very fortunate choice on my behalf. A great school and a definite choice for people considering it as part of a modular course
Course(s) taken:
General
Aircraft
Simulators
