A: At Stapleford we have the benefit of an established family-run business, who own the airfield and most of the training aircraft outright. We therefore do not have to pay landing fees, parking charges and the business is not hampered by huge leasing or mortgage costs on our aircraft.

Stapleford Maintenance is part of the Stapleford Flight Centre group so all our aircraft are maintained to the highest JAR 145 standards but at cost. All these factors are built into our prices that benefit you, the customer.

With the Jet Flight & Instructor Training Ltd part of the training package, you are gaining the advantage of an organisation which, in their own words,

"...is run by team of dedicated and experienced training professionals who specialise in providing all of the training for either a Boeing or Airbus Type Rating. We also provide Advanced Instructor Courses, including the TRI Core Course, TRI Type specific Course and the TRE Standards Course."

A: Obviously each case is different, but you should be aware that those who do courses part time, could at least double the normal 12 to 18 months we quote for Zero Hours to Frozen ATPL and 18 months to 2 years we quote for the Zero Hours to B737.

Part time for PPL and hours building is not a problem. Those that wish to distance learn the ATPL theoretical ground exam course while still working must be aware that a minimum of 15 hours a week of uninterrupted study is required, with a compulsory 2-week residential brush-up required prior to sitting each examination series.

CPL and initial part of IR courses can also be carried out whilst working, but it is suggested that the latter part of the IR and Type rating courses are full time.

A: No. We can start PPL training at any time, the only rigid start dates during the course are the ATPL ground study of which there are normally 4 a year. We overcome this by using the flight experience hours building course as a fill in before the next ATPL course start date, with the balance of hours being completed after the final exams have been taken, prior to CPL/IR training.

A: No we open an account for students where their deposit will remain throughout the courses.  Students have the option to pay for training module by module or pay a lump sum into their account and top up as flying is completed.  Module and hourly charges are all shown in our downloadable brochure.

A: We try to screen potential students to ensure their suitability to reach the required high standards needed for the course. In the unlikely event that a student is deemed unsuitable or changes his or her mind, a full refund is given less any training completed.

During the type rating training with Jet Flight & Instructor Training Ltd, on commencement of ground school, candidates are required to pay for both ground school element and simulator training. Due to the fact that simulator slots have to be booked and paid for in advance, if a candidate decided not to proceed past the ground school section, the payment made for simulator would be forfeited.

A: No. Past experience has shown that due to the large differences in standards, controlled airspace, radio calls and weather conditions, people that come back from basic training in the USA need considerably more training to convert to JAR standards for the advanced training.

This coupled with the much higher flying costs in the USA in the last couple of years, adding costs of travel to and from the States and accommodation there while training has significantly reduced the perceived cost benefit.

A: JAR requirements state that to commence IR training you require 70 hours P1 and CPL training requires 150 hour total time (100 P1 for licence issue). On paper it would seem that the IR first is the cheaper option, however, the jump from simple 2 seat Cessna aircraft straight into a complex twin with the associated applied instrument flying and approaches is vast.

It would normally mean that a considerable number of extra hours IR training are required to reach the necessary standard. So although extra hours are required to build up to the 150 hours needed to commence CPL training, our experience has shown that the transition from single 2 seat Cessna, to simple 4 seat Warrior to commence CPL training, the complex 4 seater Arrow to complete the CPL training, then onto the ME twin for IR, is a far more achievable option if aiming to train in minimum hours.

A: You can just train for your (f)ATPL with us here at Stapleford, the type rating and line training with Jet Flight & Instructor Training Ltd is optional. However, if you decide halfway through your training you want to do the type rating, the option is still available to you.

A: Yes this is possible, the cost of the PPL would be deducted and Flight Experience Course adjusted to suit the individual's hours building needs.

A: No. There is never a cast iron guarantee of a job with any course provider, those that hint they can assure you of a job, will certainly be misleading you. What we can prove is the exceptionally high success we saw in 2006, where 85% of students who have completed the type rating course during last year, have found airline flying positions both here and abroad.

There is a future requirement to provide significant numbers of type rated people to fulfil airline needs in both Europe and Asia.

A: We realise that the training is very costly and we try to ensure that only those who have a realistic chance of a successful outcome from the course embark on it.

The assessment consists of psychometric testing, hand/eye co-ordination using an FNPT 2 simulator, maths/physics ability (pre-assessment study pack is sent 10 days prior to assessment) and finally an airline-style interview which is carried out by the Heads of Training of both Jet Flight & Instructor Training Ltd and Stapleford Flight Centre.

Each candidate is graded 1 - 4, with:

• 1 being unsuitable
• 2 requiring further assessment during the course
• 3 suitable with advice on weak areas which will require extra effort
• 4 totally suitable and should not have difficulty with any of the courses or adjusting to an airline environment

Assessment days are required only for those considering zero-hour-to-B737 and line training.

A: Most Type Rating Training Organisations (TRTOs) do not operate aircraft and therefore cannot offer the landing practice required by JAR Flight Crew Licensing to complete the type rating and place it on your licence.

If you do a 'Type Rating' with one of these companies without the six circuits, which equates to approximately 20% of the Jet Flight & Instructor Training Ltd course, your licence skill test will expire 6 months after completion and you would have to re-take most of the course again to achieve the Type Rating.