Higherplane Aviation Training Seminars
Consolidate, Clarify, Improve, Expand, with a PPL Masterclass by Irv Lee
NEW: This is now a qualifying seminar for the 'AOPA' Wings Scheme.
It's a great way to keep 'current' whatever the weather

*NEW* (2008) Fact: Bob Pooley has always been a supporter of these Masterclasses, and now, you and your colleagues can buy anything you want online from Pooleys and get a 5% discount - it's not dependent on you attending a seminar, if there is something you are intending to buy at the moment, simply go to shop at Pooleys Online and quote the discount 'promotional' code 'irvlee' when you are checking out, just before you finally confirm the order. (You will see a field for 'promotional code' when your order is summarised.) Result? -5%, just for quoting 'irvlee'!

Click Here to jump straight down to the venues and dates, last updated February 15th 2008

Anywhere YOU want them - just ask. The first 3 or 4 to request a general area are consulted on dates!
PRE-register NOW to be kept informed of dates and locations!
if you would like to see what others thought, Read Attendees' Comments first.
Everyone enjoys them, and with the food and drink provided, always rated good value.

"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...

To celebrate 30 years since his licence issue, Irv Lee is launching Higherplane Aviation Training Ltd to support the UK private pilot, taking over where your PPL course left off months or years ago. A full day Higherplane Aviation Training Masterclass will help fill the gaps of knowledge and confidence felt by many PPL holders in the UK.

Are you a G.A. pilot (S.E.P.) - any licence - who:

• learned from the FAQ,FGA site?

• has that I just don't know enough feeling?

• wants to improve your base knowledge, including 'the rules', Meteorology, understanding the real UK weather developments, easier Navigation techniques - and more?

• 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?

• feels a certain lack of confidence when flying?

then Higherplane Aviation Training Seminars are for you.

You are not expected to know anything in particular - it's an enjoyable day, not a trial - the sort of topics included are:

• Air Law RELEVANT Basics, (The much misunderstood parts made very easy - you'll EVEN understand SVFR!)

• JAR and NPPL Information (A brief look at the bits that might interest you or have confused you!)

• Flight Preparation (Many aspects eg: understanding METFORMs, demo of AIS NOTAM system, W&B, short strip calculations, etc)

• Meteorology and real life weather. (Understanding what is really happening out there, What might catch you out, what you should have been told when you were a student)

• 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)

• 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!)

Every time you go flying how much do you really learn each time? Are you always playing "catch-up" with skills and knowledge? Do you need a similar minded flying partner to double your active flying experience?

Higherplane Aviation Training Seminars 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.

The 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!

Seminars are normally held independently at hotel conference rooms near population centres rather than airfields, but if your school wants a seminar of its own, these are easily set up on or near club premises, as Northamptonshire School of Flying, Abbas Air, Solent School of Flying and the Spitfire Club at Popham have all discovered, and they are a great way of keeping members 'current' even when not flying. winter!

The hidden bonus is voluntary - take it or leave it - it involves the potential to share costs and experience building with similar minded aviators in your area. Flying alone, or with friends but always to similar destinations, are paths to boredom and staleness, and eventual departure from aviation. There are two blocks to setting your sights further afield, to expanding your experience - the first is expense, and the second is confidence. Higherplane Aviation Training Seminars could help you solve both problems.

During the day's seminar you could meet someone who has the same ambitions, the same goals, the same attitude to safety and the same willingness to learn. Seminars are not expensive, especially when compared to the amount you pay and the amount you learn from a typical hour's aircraft rental. Teaming up with one or even two other pilots for just one future flight could save you enough in rental to more than pay for the seminar completely!

How do you get more experience for less cost? - it's simple, team up for joint flying with the right people. How to find them? Well, the right people, locally based and willing to learn, should be at the same seminar as you!

Will you learn everything? Well, no, not in a day, but as well as the opportunity to learn something new, you have the chance to rectify any confusion or misconceptions you already have, which are inhibiting self-progression.

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:

See also comments on the most recent Masterclass in London, here on the flyer forum topic

Seminar Dates, Locations, Prices and Discounts:

DATES and LOCATIONS spreading the seminars across the UK are available - look in the table below. The venues with lime green backgrounds have confirmed dates and venues and can be booked today. Venues with olive backgrounds are down to a few dates and you can influence the decision by voting your preferences via email. Venues with pink backgrounds are very close to full (or full) and you can be added to a wait list or a Masterclass on another date can be quickly organised. New locations for seminars will generally be scheduled following provisional demand. If there is no seminar within about 60 miles of your address, why not ask for one for your area? Seminars will even be repeated at the same location if there is enough demand.

Seminar prices include registration, course materials, refreshments through the day, and a lunch, often a 'roast' or vegitarian equivalent, or occasionally a hot buffet if facility insists. Recent prices have been around £100 for the whole day, everything (lunch etc) included. The most recent one was priced £109, but an early booking price may be available. The cost has always been rated good value to attendees, and the whole day should be less than a 'dual 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 near motorway junctions or population centres to provide the best catchment area, but some are held by flying clubs at the airfield by arrangement. In such cases, there would be a small price differential between visitors and club members.

Seminars are set up where YOU want them - you are not confined to these suggestions.
The first 3 or 4 to request an area are consulted on dates!

*Facilities are sought which would keep the price below the cost of an hour's dual rental. Recently, facility prices have meant this course has been around £100 per person, including lunch, refreshments, etc. If you can coordinate your group booking of 4 or more, there are discounts. Prices include refreshments, lunches and hand outs. Click Here to jump back to general pricing information. Any Masterclass which is attracting provisional interest will be the next to be scheduled. The first 4 pilots showing interest in one general area will be consulted on a date once a venue is found nearby.

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