This Review Overall Rating
I first visited Euro Flight Training in 2019. I held a PPL, EASA ATPL theory and enough hours to start a CPL/ME/IR course and was looking for a suitable flight school to get me to fATPL. At this stage the school did not have ATO approval. Simon agreed to meet me in 2019 and had all the time in the world for me. There was absolutely no hard sell; he was very objective about finding a flight school that was right for me. He fired up the brand new DA40 sim and was happy to let me have a flight for 20 mins while discussing through my training requirements.
After a few delays due to work, covid and family commitments, I finally got back in touch with Simon and Ellie in late 2022. It was discussed that the best course of action would be to obtain a dual UK/EASA CBIR (25hrs DA40 sim, 15hrs DA40), then an MEP rating (6hrs DA42), CPL (10hrs DA40, 5hrs DA42) and the MEIR (3hrs DA42 sim, 2hrs aircraft). I started training in Sep '22 and just completed my MEIR skills test in May '23. This time period included a delay of 1 month due to my medical, a delay of 1 month due to the worst run of weather (by my estimate) in recent winters and a delay of a couple of weeks due to aircraft unserviceability. I now hold a dual UK/EASA frozen ATPL. At each stage Simon and Ellie kept me updated regularly and it was much more of an informal discussion, which adds to the positive feeling at this flight school.
Ellie is a guru with the minefield that is EASA and CAA policy and regulation. She also takes the time to explain in depth and ensure that your paperwork is filled out correctly. Both Simon and Ellie will bend over backwards to help you out in meeting a deadline. For me, I have an APS/MCC course booked and they moved heaven and earth to ensure that my skills tests were completed within a defined period of time off work. The weather gods also helped!
The facilities are brand new. The building is in the Fareham Innovation Park which was only built a few years ago, and in there are the 2 Diamond FNPTII simulators... they even have the 'new car' smell. There is a free-to-use coffee machine, free WiFi, and 4 classrooms with computers and overhead projectors in each room. Access to airside is through a locked gate in the car park, and the EFT aircraft are parked on their own hardstanding away from all other traffic at Lee on Solent.
The school has 1xDA40 NG and 1xDA42 NG. As I mentioned, the DA42 was unserviceable for a few weeks, but Simon and Ellie mitigated this issue by rapidly sourcing another DA42 TDI, which I completed the majority of my training in until the NG was repaired. I understand that the delay was caused by engineering issues, and it has been mentioned that this would be mitigated further by utilising a more reliable engineering company in the future that can loan parts; enabling the aircraft to keep flying while the faulty item is removed and sent off for repair. There is talk at the school about the possibility of also loaning a DA62 in the future, but this is not assured as of Jun '23.
The instructor for my SEIR was Andy Trevan who is a really lovely bloke. Massively experienced as a Pilot, having flown bush planes in Africa and Alaska. He has a very relaxed instructing technique which instantly puts you at ease. He would often text me with additional info and genuinely cared about my progress. My other instructor was Maddy Mountford, who is an absolute wealth of knowledge... if she doesn't know it then it is not worth knowing! She is an ex L3 instructor and current CAA examiner. I also had a few flights with Neville Mack, who is also an extraordinarily knowledgeable instructor and examiner. The combination of Andy, Maddy and Neville prior to my tests ensured that I passed all skills tests first time. I knew exactly what the examiner was looking for and had practiced it enough to demonstrate it without fault.
I was fortunate as I live around the corner from the airport, but there is plenty of accommodation available in Fareham and Gosport.
If I was to criticise at all it would be aimed at Fareham Council, who have not yet fitted runway lighting after years of delays. This meant I had to complete my night rating elsewhere, but the lights are supposed to be installed in the coming years.
I genuinely feel that EFT is more than a flight school- I will certainly be popping in for a catch up every now and again as that is how relaxed and friendly the atmosphere is. I would recommend it to anyone.
Course(s) taken:
General
Aircraft
Simulators
Practical Training
