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Jon Hobbs-Smith and Gareth Druce Go Solo
We have two in two days as Ollie sends Jon Hobbs-Smith and Gareth Druce on their first solos on 30th and 31st August respectively. Huge congratulations to you both, and your smiling faces can be seen in the obligatory 'first solo' photos on the gallery page.
Shuk Fong Tank Goes Solo
Huge congratulations to Shuk who managed to complete her first solo flight on 15th August. Shuk had been knocking on the door for several weeks now, but the recent weather didn't help at all. Happily, it eased and allowed Shuk to complete her solo. The picture on our gallery page doesn't even begin to decribe how happy Shuk was when she landed! Many congratulations!
Shuk Fong Tank Goes Solo
Huge congratulations to Shuk who managed to complete her first solo flight on 15th August. Shuk had been knocking on the door for several weeks now, but the recent weather didn't help at all. Happily, it eased and allowed Shuk to complete her solo. The picture on our gallery page doesn't even begin to decribe how happy Shuk was when she landed! Many congratulations!
Kevin Curley Goes Solo
Congratulations to Kevin Curley who successfully completed his first solo on a sunny 10th July 2010. Kevin can be seen looking justifiably pleased with himself on the gallery page. Well done Kevin!
Edinburgh Flyout is now Ostend II!
Due to the popularity of the aborted Ostend flyout, Louise and I have decided to cancel Edinburgh on the 26th/27th June and instead attempt Ostend on the 27th. Anybody wishing to join us should get in touch! Thanks - Paul.
Jan Scholz and Jonny Clark Go Solo!
Congratulations to Jan Scholz and Jonny Clark who both managed to complete their first solo flights during May, Jan going solo on 1st May and Jonny completing his circuit on 15th. A couple of satisfied individuals can be seen on our gallery page. Well done chaps!
Gill McCaffery Goes Solo!
A still and sunny day on the 24th April saw Gill McCaffery successfully complete her first solo! Gill can be seen looking more than a little bit excitable on the gallery page. Congratulations Gill!
Fuel Surcharge
Due to significant rises in the cost of AVGAS over the past few months, regrettably we have added a fuel surcharge to all flights. Should the price of AVGAS come down, the surcharge will be removed with immediate effect. Details can be seen on the prices page.Our policy is to keep prices as stable as possible, and our prices have not risen since July 2008, but due to increasing fuel prices it has been unavoidable. Louise and I thank you all for your continued custom - Paul.
Tim Vaines Goes Solo!
Congratulations to Tim Vaines, who completed his first solo on a sunny 8th April. Tim's smiling face can be seen on our gallery page. Good job Tim!
Yogesh Mehti and Vlastimil Tabacek Go Solo!
Double congratulations to Yogesh Mehti who went solo on Sunday 21st March and also to Vlastimil Tabacek who managed his first solo a little earlier on Tuesday 16th. A couple of big smiles can be seen on the gallery page. Well done guys!
Dates For The Awards Night and Flyouts
Louise and Paul are pleased to announce the dates for the 2010 Fly Outs, as well as our annual awards night. The list of flyout destinations can be seen on the Events Diary page. For those who haven't attended our awards night before, it's an annual event celebrating all those who have achieved during the 2009 flying season with awards for first solos, ratings and licences issued. Tickets for the evening are £5 per person including a buffet, and family and friends are more than welcome! If you plan on attended, please let us know ASAP as we have to let the pub know numbers in advance.
Weather Update
Following some pretty severe snowfall across the country, operations are understandably disrupted. Whilst Louise and I try to make every effort to get the office manned, we have occasionally had to resort to forwarding the phone. Please bear with us during this time, and don't forget to check the NOTAMs to see if the airport is open! Thanks - Paul.
Mike Green Goes Solo!
Congratulations to Mike Green who successfully completed his first solo, the first of 2010. Mike has approximately 3500 on helicopters and holds an ATPL(H) but still was rather pleased to complete his first solo flight on fixed wing. Check out the smile on the gallery page. Congratulations Mike!
Seasons Greetings From Pilot Flight Training!
Louise and Paul would like to wish everybody a very Happy Xmas and New year! We're closing down from the evening of 23rd December and back open again on the 2nd January. Here's hoping 2010 brings blue skies!
Matt Robain Goes Solo!
Huge congratulations to Matt Robain, who successfully completed his first solo On 13th December. Matt's large grin is on display on our gallery page. Nice one Matt!
Manuel Rodrigo Goes Solo!
Congratulations to Manuel Rodrigo who finally found a decent day to successfully complete his first solo! Manuel can be seen looking rather chuffed with himself while pretending to go through his shut down checks on our gallery page. Well done Manuel!
Matthew Oldfield Goes Solo!
Yet another student managed to find the one hour in a day when there wasn't a stiff crosswind! On a sunny 15th of November, Matthew Oldfield successfully convinced EB to get out of the aircraft and let him complete his first solo. Matthew can be seen looking justifiably pleased with himself on our gallery page. Well done Matthew!
Kevin Heartbreak Goes Solo!
The 7th November saw us fighting a stiff crosswind all day long until Kevin showed up, and as if by magic the wind backed and dropped perfectly for Kevin to complete his first solo. He greased the landing as you can tell from the rather pleased expression on his face. Check it out on the gallery page. Congratulations Kevin!
Dean Evans Goes Solo!
Congratulations to Dean Evans who made it four first solos in four weeks on the 21st October. While Dean has actually flown solo in gliders before starting with PFT, the big smile on his face still proves how chuffed he was. Check it out on the gallery page. Good job Dean!
Rowena Merritt and Nick Pusey Go Solo!
Congratulations to both Rowena Merritt and Nick Pusey who made it two first solos in two days on the 14th and 12th of October respectively. Rowena can be seen sporting a large grin alongside Nick looking rather pleased with himself on the gallery page. Well done to you both!
Anna Rathmell-Davey Goes Solo and Shoreham Flyout Pics online!
Congratulations to Anna Rathmell-Davey who completed her first solo on a sunny Saturday. Anna's rather impressive grin can be seen alongside photos of the last flyout of the year to Shoreham on the gallery page. Well done Anna, and thanks to all those who have joined the flyout's this year.
Angus Denton Goes Solo!
A glorious afternoon was in store on the 10th September, which allowed Angus Denton to successfully complete his first solo. Angus can be seen looking rather pleased with himself on the gallery page. Good one Angus!
Dublin Flyout!
I woke up early on the morning of 22nd August thinking we were in for a day of coffee drinking and cursing of the weather, but no - it was high level clouds, favourable winds... were we really off to Dublin? Yes indeed! Ian, Paul, Lisa, Wayne, Emma, Arun, Dicky, Ollie, Janice, George, Graham, David, Chris, Andy and Eddie all set off for the Emerald Isle! Photos of the trip can be found on the gallery page. Only one flyout left this year, that's Shoreham at the end of September. Anyone wishing to attend should get in touch!
Jack Roberts Goes Solo!
Tuesday 25th August turned out to be a nice day but John assured me Jack wasn't likely to be going to go solo until a later session. So you can imagine my surprise when ATC called me letting me know that Jack was off on his own - I barely had time to grab the camera before Jack greased the landing. Still, I managed to capture Jack's rather chuffed expression which can be seen on the gallery page. Well done Jack!
Le Touquet Flyout!
We ventured out on a rather sketchy looking morning to sunny Le Touquet on Sunday 26th July. Coasting out over Lydd saw clearing skies and increasing temperatures. Andy, Louise, Kath and Owen in G-CSIX; Andrew, Paul, Annabel and Ed in G-ELDR; Dicky, Rowena and Ollie in G-BCGJ; Ian, Wayne and Lisa in G-FIAT; Arun and Jonathan in G-BTGO; Angela, Robert and Kevin in G-AYJP and finally Janice, George and Richard in G-AYEE all made their way over the water for a spot of lunch. Check out the photos online. Next up is Weston (Dublin) on the 22nd August - anyone wishing to join the flyout should get in touch.
Matt Deeley Goes Solo!
Huge contratulations to Matt Deeley who completed his first solo on Sunday 28th June. Matt took advantage of the cancelled Isle Of Man flyout and flew so well that Doug just had to get out and send him on his own! Check out Matt's rather large grin on the gallery page. Well done Matt!
Old Buckenham, Jersey and Plymouth Pics Online!
Paul has dug out and posted Louise's piccies from the Old Buckenham and Plymouth fly out which join the Jersey photos on the gallery page. Thanks Lou!
Julie Harrison Goes Solo!
Congratulations to Julie to successfully completed her first solo on 2nd May. Julie has been fighting some pretty grotty weather recently, including some severe crosswinds but picked the right day for Dicky to let her loose on her own! There's rather a large smile to be seen on the gallery page. Good work Julie!
Jersey Flyout Pics Online!
Following on from Plymouth last month, the April flyout to Jersey was a success as you can see by the photos on the gallery page. Paul would really like to know why everybody was asleep though!
2009 Fly Outs
We are pleased to annouce the 2009 list of fly out destinations and dates. As always, PPL holders, students and passengers are welcome (space permitting) to join us, to register your interest let us know. The list of destinations is on the Events Diary page.
Ollie Butler Goes Solo!
The first "First Solo" of the year goes to Ollie Butler who found his way around Oxford circuit on his own when Dicky decided he'd had enough! Check out the obligatory handshake shot on the gallery page. Well done Ollie!
2008 Awards Night!
On Thursday 12th February, we held our annual awards night for those who achieved during 2008. Those who successfully completed first solos, PPL issue, IMC, Night and Aerobatic ratings were all presented with awards for their achievements. Louise and Paul would like to extend their thanks for everyone who attented and also congratulate everyone who won awards.
And the painting continues...
Following on from G-BTGO's recent respray, we are pleased to announce that FIAT has been given the same treatment.
Recent Weather!
Just thought I'd post a couple of pics of planes in the snow for your viewing pleasure - Paul
Thomas James Hodge has landed!
Paul is delighted to announce that Louise gave birth to Thomas James Hodge at approximately 10:00 on Friday 16th January! Thomas weighed in at 8lbs 9 oz and both Mother and baby are doing very well. Louise and a rather proud Andy have asked me to pass on their thanks to all those well-wishers who have offered messages of support.
Happy New Year!
Paul, Louise and all at PFT would like to wish you all a happy new year! Following a really cold snap, we're back and running again and we're hopeful of some decent flying weather for a change. The turn of the year always means two things for PFT - firstly, our world-famous awards night at the Jolly Boatman is booked for Thursday 12th February at 7 pm, and secondly we are compiling the 2009 flyout list!
The awards night is our annual event celebrating all those who have achieved during the 2008 flying season, with awards for first solos, ratings and licences issued. Tickets for the evening are £5 per person including a buffet, and family and friends are more than welcome! Please let us know if you plan to attend.
We have had a couple of requests for flyout destinations for 2009 already, but we'd like to know where you would like to go too! Let us know if you have any suggestions, the final list and dates will be published on the website soon.
A brief message from Paul...
Just a quick message to say thanks for everybody's support during my studies for the ATPL ground exams. You'll all be pleased to know I passed them all with a 95% average which I'm rather chuffed about! I've already booked my instructors course, and will hopefully be online at the end of March / beginning of April.
Peter Grabham Goes Solo!
On the morning of the 10th December, Peter Grabham managed to make the best of a rather grey, damp and murky month and found a day to successfully complete his first solo! The Grabhams now have two 'Captains' in the house now, Peter following son David who went solo earlier this year. Peter can be seen looking justifiably chuffed with himself on our gallery page. Well done Peter!
Xmas Drinks - Thursday 18th December
Louise and I would be delighted if you could join us for our annual Xmas food and drinks evening on Thursday 18th December from 4 pm onwards at PFT. We do this every year to wish all our members a Happy Xmas and New Year, and thank everybody for their continued custom. Hope you can make it - Paul.
Eddie Seymour Goes Solo!
Congratulations to Eddie Seymour who managed to get himself around the circuit without his instructor on 6th December. Poor Eddie had a real run of bad luck with weather cancellations, but picked the perfect morning to get himself off solo for the first time. Eddie (and a suitably relieved EB!) can be seen sporting large smiles on the gallery page. Excellent stuff Eddie!
Heather McGregor Goes Solo!
Following some intensive circuit work with Richard, Heather McGregor managed to find a morning where the wind wasn't 20+ knots or 90 degrees off the runway and successfully completed her first solo. We couldn't decide if they were screams of delight or terror that could be heard over the radio when Richard informed ATC that he was jumping out for Heather to go flying on her own, but it was definitely a happy smiling face when Heather was back safely on the ground as you can see on our gallery page. Well done Heather!
Fleet changes
Some of you may have already spotted G-BTGO's fresh new paint scheme (we hope to get all the PA28's done in the same colour), but we also have another aircraft joining the fleet. G-AYJP is another PA28/140 used for PPL and IMC training - it's very well equipped, including 2 Comms radios, a Nav radio, VOR/Glidescope, ADF, DME, transponder and even a GPS.
Check out the pictures of GO and the rather distinctively painted JP:
Blackpool Photos Online
Check out the gallery page for Paul's Blackpool flyout photos. If you have any of your own you'd like to put on the site, let Paul know and he'll be happy to put them up.
Peter Thomas Goes Solo!
After a murky start to a very still day, Peter Thomas worked very hard and managed to successfully complete his first solo on Saturday 13th September. Watching him around the circuit was Elisabeth, who rewarded him with a huge hug when he landed! Check them out on the gallery page. Well done Peter!
Jeff Duffell Goes Solo!
Congratulations to Jeff Duffell who completed his first solo on the 8th September. Jeff kindly interrupted his shut down checks to pose for a photo - the evidence can be seen our gallery page. Well done Jeff!
Ashley Smith Goes Solo!
Managing to get lucky in this spectacularly shocking summer was Ashley Smith, who must have found the only calm day in weeks and completed his first solo on the 28th August. Well done to Ashley, who's smiling face is on display on our gallery page.
Neil Wilson, Will Hay and Tom Fanner-Hoskin All Go Solo!
As this spell of good weather continues, we have another three Captains to congratulate! Neil Wilson and Will Hay both completed their first solos on the 28th July, closely followed by Tom Fanner-Hoskin on the 30th. As always, the pilots can be seen sporting chuffed expressions on our gallery page. Congratulations guys!
Yahya Al-Qudah, Elisabeth Schloten and Neil Beesley All Go Solo!
Following a spell of consistant weather, Yahya, Elisabeth and Neil all successfully navigated themselves around the Oxford circuit on their first solos. Some rather impressive smiles can be seen on the gallery page. Well done to you all!
Price Rise
Due to siginifcant increases in the cost of AVGAS, we regret to inform that our prices have increased with immediate effect. Since March 2008, the cost of AVGAS has increased by almost 20% and unfortunately is showing no sign of slowing down. New prices are on the prices page. As always, Louise and Paul thank you all for your continued custom.
John Cowan Goes Solo!
Congratulations to John Cowan who completed his first solo on Saturday 14th May. John's first words when he got out of the plane were: "Well that's the worst circuit I've ever flown!" - still, it ended in a peachy landing - and John did seem pretty chuffed about it. Check out the grins on the gallery page. Well done John!
5 first solos in 2 days!!
Congratulations to David Grabham and Caleb Madeiros who both went first solo on Friday 9th May, closely followed by Stephen Masters, Chris Knight and Ian Swift who all did the same the very next day. Well done to everybody! Lots of smiling faces on the gallery page. Excellent stuff guys - well done!
Dunkeswell photos online!
Photos of our rather interesting flyout to Dunkeswell are online. Check the gallery page.
Darren Huggins Goes Solo!
Well done Darren! Darren finally completed his first solo after fighting with some awful April weather. He managed to book in when there wasn't a 25 knot crosswind for once, and successfully navigated his way around the circuit. Check out Darren's photo on the gallery page. Nice one Darren!
Fly Outs for 2008!
We're very pleased to announce the 2008 fly out destinations. These will include old favourites such as the Channel Islands and Le Touquet, as well as exciting new places such as Weston (Dublin) and the Scilly Isles. We are also including some of the aborted missions from last year like the Isle Of Man and Blackpool. Take a peek at the events page for further details and get in touch to register your interest.
Emma Hills Goes Solo!
Congratulations to Emma Hills who completed her first solo on a blustery day on Monday 25th February. Rumour has it that Emma was a little bit apprehensive when Dicky decided he'd had enough and got out - but once she was down, Emma's big smile was evident once again. Check it out on the gallery page. Excellent stuff Emma - well done!
If you want to visit our news archive, click here. You can also download our newsletters in PDF format.
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