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PPL Masterclasses:
Future: PPL Masterclasses can be arranged quickly if there are a group of pilots wanting to attend, especially around London or Hampshire. Please get in contact if you would like one in your area. I am currently looking at the viability of one soon within range of Bristol and Gloucestershire and one at Crawley only 20 miles or so from Shoreham, Redhill, Biggin, etc. You can make it happen sooner, or in your area instead, by registering interest.

"PPL? It's a licence to learn...."
So what do you suppose that means...?
"You learn from your mistakes...."

Well, that's NOT the way it has to be any more...

Consolidate, Clarify, Improve, Expand, with a PPL Masterclass. It's a great way to keep 'current' whatever the weather. This is now a qualifying seminar for the 'AOPA' Wings Scheme.

Do you already know enough about them? Do want to book without reading more? Click Here to jump straight down to the venues and dates at the bottom of this page, last updated May 10th, 2010. If you know about them and want one in your area, get in contact, they are scheduled by demand so your request may result in a class being viable.

It's a great weather proof aviation day with like minded pilots, having a relaxed look at many of the problems, confusions, and gaps in PPL training and knowledge which leave qualified pilots exposed and less confident, making further progression harder. The best thing for many is that there are no nasty surprises like questions or tests - attendees can sit back and relax, which of course helps understanding. Many in the room will have much in common with each other and often one or two pilots link up for future flying, sharing costs and making flying easier and safer with two heads and 4 eyes in the cockpit. If you would like to see what others thought, Read Attendees' Comments below first. Everyone enjoys them, and with the food and drink provided, they are always rated good value.

Every time you go flying how much do you really learn each time? Are you always playing "catch-up" with skills and knowledge? These Masterclasses offer the opportunity you've been waiting for since your PPL dropped through the letter box, no matter how short a time or how long ago that was,or where you did your training. Each seminar aims to expand understanding of your chosen hobby far more than any single rental flight, with the opportunity seldom found elsewhere - contact with similar souls, in a relaxed seminar atmosphere with refreshments and lunch included. Together, the attending delegates absorb the presentations, with plenty of opportunity to discuss, debate and question many of the topics which you now "have a licence to learn". ("Soon to qualify" PPL students would also benefit from the Seminar - it's all about real life fixed wing flying in the UK, without 'exam questions' directing the presentation content.) You don't need to bring anything to the class, everything is provided. You don't need to actually know anything - there are no nasty surprises!

Need more? Ask yourself, are you a G.A. pilot - any licence - who:

  • learned from the FAQ,FGA site? or
  • has that I just don't know enough feeling? or
  • wants to improve your base knowledge, including what could easily catch you out on 'the rules', Meteorology, UK weather developments, and need easier Navigation techniques - and more? or
  • wants to re-invigorate your flying or have a goal?
  • wants to fly safer, and perhaps find a flying partner for more cost-efficient flying? or
  • feels a certain lack of confidence when flying? or
  • wants an enjoyable contribution to the AOPA wings scheme?
then Higherplane Aviation Training Seminars are for you. Which topics are covered? Ones which are aimed at keeping you safe both in the air, and from insurance companies or the CAA investigations branch, post flight!
  • Air Law RELEVANT Basics. (The much misunderstood parts made very easy - you'll EVEN understand SVFR!)
  • EASA, JAR, and NPPL Information (A brief look at the bits that might interest you or have confused you, or what seems to be coming!)
  • 'Hot Topics' - whatever is the latest 'flavour of the month' for problems or prospective changes for hobby pilots.
  • Flight Preparation (Many aspects eg: understanding the messages in METFORMs, online demo of AIS NOTAM system (internet allowing), W&B, short strip calculations, etc)
  • Meteorology and real life UK weather. (Understanding what is really happening out there, What might catch you out, what you should have been told when you were a student, but somehow, they forgot!)
  • PPL? - What Next (Keeping an ambition is sight - Understanding Syndicates? IMC and its privileges? Many more..)
  • First Cross Channel and general tips (Including Flight Plans and AFPEx demo, internet willing)
  • VFR, IMC and GPS Navigation (tips and techniques to consider for relaxed safe navigation, and if you have one, how to safely use that GPS
  • and more - (you can even ask for your chosen discussion topic on your booking form!)
Will all questions be answered?
Remember that with JAR there are one or two question to which even the CAA will not give a definite answer, leaving it simply as "up to the courts to decide in the event of prosecution". In these situations, you will hear ways of 'covering your back', to try to ensure that you do not become the test case!

Sampled Comments from Previous Seminars:

From MV:
(Middlesex Seminar):

Thanks for an excellent seminar - it was highly informative, very enjoyable and I've never known a day fly by so quickly - it seemed that no sooner had we sat down than it was time to go. I'll be recommending it to all 40 of our Group members at our meeting next Sunday.

From LJ:
(London Seminar)

Thanks for a great day. Tremendous value-add, and if you're still doing it this time next year I'll come again for another top-up. Loved it!!

From SC:
(Swindon Seminar)

I want to thank you very much indeed for such a splendid Masterclass on Sunday. I found the whole day very informative, and it was a pleasure to meet you and benefit from all your knowledge and experience: there wasn't a single question throughout the day that you weren't able to answer clearly and concisely!

From GC
(Oxfordshire Seminar)

Thanks for a very stimulating and informative day on Friday. I particularly valued the discussions on met, tech and navigation. I shall recommend the seminar to as many people as I can.

From MB
(Lancashire Seminar)

Just a few words to say how educational and entertaining I found the seminar. I am in the process of putting in to practice some of the thing I learnt, I look forward to hearing of any other seminars in the area.

From MW
(Bournemouth Seminar)

VERY MANY THANKS for you excellent course. It helped me greatly on two visits to Gloster and Shoreham. The sort of knowledge you pass-on gives great confidence.

From PW
(Hampshire Seminar)

I have often wished I could understand weather better, but it has never been presented in such a clear logical way, and until your session on VFR IFR & SVFR, I had not appreciated how useful it would be.

From PC
(Bristol Seminar)

I thoroughly enjoyed it and have come away with lots of practical information that I will apply. The gap between what you covered yesterday and the CAA "safety" briefing is so huge

From JH
(Yorkshire Seminar)

It was a pleasure take part in the seminar which not only simplified and clarified many air law, nav and meteorological issues but which was also a confidence-improver

From CA
(London Seminar)

a real gem of a course which should be advertised permanently on every flying club noticeboard and every magazine. Absolutely invaluable.

Seminar Dates, Locations, Prices and Discounts: Seminar prices include registration, course materials, refreshments through the day, and a lunch, often a 'roast' or vegetarian equivalent, or occasionally a hot buffet if facility insists. The cost has always been rated good value to attendees, and the whole day should be less than a 'dual rental flying hour' with a club and, if you ask previous attendees, you'll find there is no comparison in what you learn. Rare variation in prices merely reflect facility costs in different parts of the country, not demand. Seminars will not be overloaded, a second seminar will be scheduled should there be excessive demand in one location. Most seminars are held at facilites near motorway junctions or population centres to provide the best catchment area, but some are held by flying clubs at the airfield by arrangement.

ALL Masterclasses are 'by prior reservation only'

Date
& Ref

Location

Description

Price

Booking Links

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Bristol or Gloucs area

There are a small number of pilots asking for a Masterclass in the Bristol / Swindon / Gloucestershire area - if you are interested in helping to increase the numbers to make it viable, please contact by email or telephone.

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contact via phone or email

tbd

Crawley

There is a possibility of a PPL Masterclass in Crawley, only about 20 miles from Shoreham, Biggin Hill, etc. If you are interested, please get in touch

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Please get in touch

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