Commercial Student - Comments:

"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 after completing my MCC I was able to secure a job with Astraeus Airlines flying the 757. After 5 years with Astraeus I now fly the 767 with British Airways proving you do not necessarily need to come from an integrated school to join BA.

22 months after my first flight in a Cessna 152 and at a fraction of the cost paid to an integrated school, I secured my first job thanks to the support and hard work of SFC".

My training route took me to the US and then back to the UK to complete the fATPL and it is thanks to the quality of Stapleford training that I completed all my flight tests on the first attempt and am now flying the Boeing 737 for Titan Airways. 

Due to the economic downturn it took approximately twelve months from when I finished my training until I started training on the B737 but the skills I learnt at Stapleford stuck with me and showed their worth. Fortunately the aviation industry seems to be picking up again now so hopefully more and more pilots will realise their dream and get that chance to fly an airliner for a living.

I highly recommend Stapleford as a professional flight training organisation and always think back to my time there as I fly overhead going back into Stansted after a hard/fun day's work".

I also wanted somewhere with a good reputation and good feedback from others who had trained there. However I was not willing to pay extortionate prices to fund an organisation that relies solely a good name to sell business. After much consideration I chose Stapleford Flight Centre and if I had to make the decision again I would do so again without hesitation.

Stapleford were very supportive and obliging throughout, particularly in helping me to complete each of the training modules in minimum hours and minimum time within the time scale I had available due to employment. The quality of instruction was very high and the assistance from the school in helping with circumstances to meet individual needs was a huge benefit.

Given the current climate and difficulty in getting a foot in the door in a career in aviation, the route to get there is probably one of the most important decisions to make, so do all the research you can and choose wisely, I did!"

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!"

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!"

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".

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".

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."

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".

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".