Commercial and Private Pilot Flight Training, Flying Lessons, Gift Experiences

Listen to what our students say...


Onwards and upwards!
Stapleford is rightfully proud of its excellent record of students gaining employment after leaving the school. Below is a selection of our recent graduates now working for major operators: Dee Kang - Easyjet James Horgan - Ryanair Mark Birkett - Thomas Cook Jamie Butler - Easyjet Rod Johnson - Easyjet Kin Li - Easyjet Darvinder Kang - Easyjet Milad Tarokh - Ryanair Daniel Carter - Ryanair Tom Rayne - Ryanair Vincent Watts - Ryanair Chris Hudson - Ryanair Ian Burman - Titan Dan Damico - Titan Paul Anderson - Ryanair Richard Cook - Ryanair Alan Foley - Ryanair Jonathan Milling - Ryanair Edward Styles - Cityjet Daniel Berner - Ryanair Ben Boness - Astraeus Mark Brown - DHL Alan Carolan - Jet2 Jeff Croot - Ryanair Daniel Damico - Titan James Dennis - BMI Baby Ian Dilly - Ryanair Huw Evans - Ryanair Michael Farr - Titan Peter Finch - Flightline Alan Foley - Ryanair Edward Gardner - Titan Gwen Heuze - Ryanair James Horgan - Ryanair Martin Hurst - Ryanair Liam Irving - Ryanair Robbo Kielty - Ryanair Benoit Lescot - Ryanair Dan Little - Club 328 Scott Lyndsay - Loganair Huw Macarthur - Ryanair Ian Manson - Ryanair Joanne Oakley - BMI Mark O'Donnell - Ryanair Gavin Parrish - Ryanair Anish Patel - Ryanair Joe Pettit - Ryanair Jamie Pitchford - Ryanair Michael Price - Trans Euro Jonathan Prieur - Ryanair Edward Seabourne - Ryanair Suchit Shah - Eastern Airways Christopher Simmons - Ryanair William Snuggs - Astraeus Donald Wennick - Interflight Air Charter
What our ex-students say...

Dee Kang , First Officer, EasyJet
I decided to research into a number of schools when choosing the best place for me to do my CPL/IR MCC training and found Stapleford ticking a number of boxes that even some of the larger schools could not. I found all the staff very helpful and friendly, from the reception staff that would give you a cheery good morning (and call you by your first name!) to the instructors, course co-ordinator and even the CFI. The facilities were great, the clubhouse made for a relaxed briefing and debriefing atmosphere, the good and bad points being discussed over a coffee. Having their own maintenance facility next door also meant that down time in aircraft was minimal, if there was a problem 9 times out of 10 the engineers would have the problem fixed and you would carry on your lesson with minimal disruption. My Instructors took the time to make sure I was learning at the right pace and were not afraid to push me when I needed a little encouragement, but at the same time making sure I was not overloaded and maxed out. I really felt that I was treated as an individual with my courses being adapted (within reason) to suit my needs rather than being simply a number that had to complete a certain set of exercises per lesson because thats what the program stipulated. My training was geared towards commercial flying and the basics I was taught at Stapleford in Pipers and Diamonds I still use today flying an Airbus and have fond memories everytime I fly over the LAM VOR. I would have no hesitation to recommend SFC to any hardworking pilot who wants to pay a fair price, get fantastic training and have a great time along the journey! Dee Kang
James Horgan, First Officer, Ryanair
After gaining my PPL whilst working in the North of England, a change in circumstance meant I had to return to the South again, and the decision to continue my training with Stapleford was an easy one to make. I found them very open, both in terms of pre training visits, and with sharing feedback and opinions from other students. The school is superbly run and organised, with a well maintained fleet and simulator centre, which really made training enjoyable, even during the IR! I was lucky I gained employment very quickly with Ryanair after the course completion, with them commenting on the high standards of the SFC graduates they had recently employed. I would have no trouble recommending SFC - they represent excellent value for money, and the instruction & location is excellent. I look back on my training with much fondness!
Nik Hammond, Senior First Officer, Air Charter Scotland
In a world of training - which is a lottery at the best of times - all flying schools will tell you that they are the best at what they do. It is important that at this crucial stage in your career you make the right choices as they can decide how quickly you will progress into the airline industry and this is why I chose Stapleford. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the professional air and also the friendliness of all of the groundstaff and instructors. I had completed my CPL at another school and was dismayed by the lack of organisation there so decided to change. Immediately upon enroling at Stapleford I had all of my flying and sim sessions listed a month in advance. It was like a breath of fresh air coming here compared to my previous school. Many schools will teach you how to pass a test and very little more, Stapleford will teach you not only to pass but also to learn the subject properly.This enabled me to get a job within 6 days of leaving with a private jet operator during the initial part of the downturn. All I can say is that if I had to do it all again I would choose Stapleford Flight Centre for all of my training. My thanks go out to you all, you gave me the skills to suceed in my dream career.
Chris Simmons - First Officer, B737-800 Ryanair
"Commercial flight training can be a very stressful time, and the decision on where to train, could prove to be the single most important decision you'll make. I chose SFC after visiting many other training establishments around the country, all of which had left me rather confused, it was quite difficult to separate some of the more 'corporate' names since they all seemed very alike, and expensive! After visiting Stapleford and being shown around, I left feeling certain it was where I wanted to complete the most important stages of becoming an airline pilot. The atmosphere at SFC is extremely welcoming, and you'll be looked after from day one. The professional training is well co-ordinated and the fantastic admin staff will be planning well ahead so there's never a delay waiting for examiners or aircraft. Everyone is on first name terms and you'll make some great friends who will eventually become colleagues no doubt. The instruction it's self is of the highest standard and the aircraft and simulator facilities are second to none, you really couldn't ask for a better environment to stretch yourself and achieve your ambitions! Within just 2 months of leaving Stapleford Flight Centre I had secured employment with Europe's largest international carrier, Ryanair. I now fly up to 1100 passengers a day in Ryanair's modern fleet of 737-800's and I know my SFC training has got me here. If I could do it all again I'd still choose Stapleford Flight Centre."
Vincent Watts - First Officer, B737-800 Ryanair
"I completed my basic flying training in America, and when choosing a school for my CPL and ME IR my first thought was that it needs to be done at a good school in the UK. It is not an unknown fact that the standard of training in the UK is very high compared with America and the rest of Europe, and it needs to be if you want to make the progression into the professional world of flying as smooth as possible. With that in mind, and with the help of 4 years experience working in the Licensing Department at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, I knew I wanted to go to Stapleford having had the opportunity to research the school and having spoke to a number of their previous students who applied for their licences at my previous job. I found the training there to be of a very high standard as I expected, and I passed both CPL and IR flight tests on the first attempt. The staff are very professional and helpful, and I never had a problem with aircraft availability. I have no hesitation in recommending Stapleford to perspective students, and the ones I have, have subsequently passed their CPL and IR tests first time too. I now work for Ryanair flying the Boeing 737 800 and can only thank Stapleford for giving me the foundations to achieve my life long goal. It's hard work but worth it in the end."
Will Snuggs - First Officer Astraeus Airlines B757
"Stapleford Flight Centre is quite simply the finest in UK flight training schools. It provides flight and ground training of the highest quality, delivered by instructors who want YOU to succeed! Stapleford took me from complete novice to fATPL in 18 months, enabled me to pass PPL,ATPL's, CPL, ME & IR first time and have a great time along the way. Thanks to the quality of the training at Stapleford I was fortunate enough to secure a position on the Boeing 757 with Astraeus shortly after completion of my training and am thoroughly enjoying it! I think it is important to add that this didn't come easily and required and awful lot of sacrifice and hard work, but the quality of instruction made it considerably easier than it could've been! In conclusion I would say to those who want to come out of flight training feeling a sense of success and who want to be a competent, skilled and able pilot to chose SFC. I know this is how I felt and I am now very fortunate to be in the situation I am".
Ben Boness - First Officer Astraeus Airlines B757
"After researching the various options for flying training, I joined Stapleford in August 2004. I found Stapleford offered excellent training with good availability of aircraft and sound support from ground staff and instructors alike. The modular training meant I had the flexibility I wanted in my training, however, I was still able to complete my zero to f(ATPL) in little over 16 months with first time passes. Two months later I completed my MCC and a month after that I was offered a position on a Boeing 757 course with Bond Aviation Solutions in Gatwick with a view to a job with Astraeus Ltd. 22 months after my first flight in a Cessna 152 and at a total cost similar to that paid to an integrated school for basic training, I secured a contract with Astraeus thanks to the support and hard work of SFC".
M Thornber, First Officer, B737-800 Ryanair
"I had heard about SFC some years before I enrolled there for my CPL/ME IR and had therefore watched it develop over a number of years. Initially I had not given it too much thought, instead looking at the other higher-profile FTO's. But as time passed I became increasingly aware of their growing reputation within both the airline and G/A world. This, allied with ever improving first time pass rates for both the CPL and ME/IR as well as good value for money, convinced me that this was the best school for me. The training at SFC is of the highest quality and the instructors were all very helpful and easy to get along with. I passed all flight tests first time and in close to minimum time. I was employed as a First Officer with Ryanair three months after completion of my course and had also attended interviews for Cityjet".
K Kilroy, First Officer, B737-800 Ryanair
"I researched all of the JAA Modular and integrated courses throughout the UK and Europe in 2002, and can honestly say that I know I made the right choice by attending Stapleford Flight Centre for my JAA modular course. I completed my flight training successfully with SFC with all first time passes, due to the expert training, facilities and mentoring from the experienced instructors. I paid almost half that of other integrated courses from other schools, and still gained all first time passes and a frozen ATPL within 18 months. Three months after passing my instrument rating and after being recommended by SFC to attend their MCC Course, I got my first airline job as a first officer flying the B737-800 for Ryanair".
C Monksfield, Captain, Cessna Citation II, LEA
"There are a lot of options when choosing a professional flight school for a modular course, the important selling points for me were the quality of training, professionalism and of course affordability. Stapleford ticked all these boxes and prepared me well for commercial operations. At Stapleford, the modular course gives the flexibility to work around you. The staff were very helpful, training was first-class which allowed me to complete all tests with first time passes."
S Colbourn, First Officer, Flybe
"After having completed my PPL and subsequently having gained a few hours of private flying, my objective was to find a flying school with which to achieve my CPL/IR via the modular route of training. After some research, Stapleford Flight Centre seemed to have all the attributes for what I was looking for from a commercial training perspective; costing, reputation (they had been recommended by friends), location, and professionalism coupled with approachability and friendliness. After a thoroughly enjoyable 5 months at Stapleford and first-time passes in my CPL/IR, Stapleford Flight Centre really did live up to everything I had hoped. They really did deliver what they said they could".
Views expressed on the PPRuNe Pilots' Network
Some ex-student views on SFC from the Professional Pilots Rumour Network (www.pprune.org)
Stapleford Flight Centre Ltd Address: Stapleford Aerodrome, Stapleford Tawney, Essex, RM4 1SJ Tel: 01708 688380 Fax: 01708 688421 Email: commercial@flysfc.com Registered Office: 19-20 Bourne Court, Southend Road, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 8HD Registered No. 967895
Site design by Dale Media Ltd - Manchester, England