The Great Circle Ltd

Set up by Adam Berrington in 2004, The Great Circles training ethos is to 'teach with respect'. What does this mean? Many of our clients come to us from other schools having spent too much time and money on training and not making progress. Frequently this is down to either unenthusiastic instructors or worse still, instructors that feel that it's ok to shout and verbally abuse their students. In other cases, it may simply be just a lack of aircraft availability.

We believe that people perform to the best of their ability when they are enjoying themselves. Learning to fly is an incredibly enjoyable experience, don't allow it to become hard work! The Great Circle only employ patient, dedicated and enthusiastic staff. We will help you get your Pilots Licence, quickly and enjoyably, but above all, safely.

We have trained many Pilots over the last 7 years, some now fly for airlines or instruct, others fly just for recreation or business. Whatever your dreams, we're sure we can help you realise them. We simply have one mission. Yours.

So what services do The Great Circle offer? The combination of the 8 distinct but interrelated services that we provide makes us unique in the Pilot training business.

1) Flight Training Programs

• Private Pilots’ Licence (PPL)
• National Private Pilots’ Licence (NPPL)
• Night Qualification
• IMC Rating
• Completion Courses
• Advanced Handling Courses
• Tail Wheel Conversions
• Aerobatics
• Complex Conversions
• Licence Rating and Renewals
• Trial Lessons
• Mobile Flight Training

We specialise in Fast Track Flight Training – and, indeed, are the only flight training business in the UK that offers this service.   Our best-selling courses offer a PPL in a mere 4 weeks, a Night Qualification in 2 evenings and an IMC Rating in a single week. We also offer bespoke training on client’s own aircraft as well as beginner and competition aerobatics courses.

Why are we the only business doing fast track courses? Blame it on the elements! Traditionally, the unpredictable British weather has deterred people from flight training here and been responsible for the myth it’s best to go to such as the USA and South Africa to get a pilot’s licence. If you read the glossy magazine ads you might be tempted by what appear to be cheap courses and a holiday all rolled into one – a chance to get sun, sea, cheap flying and a licence in 3 weeks?  The reality can be a little different, once Training Visas, return airfares, expensive hotels (or worse still, really unpleasant cheap ones!) are all factored in. In fact, learning to fly abroad, where courses are notoriously constructed on the stack ‘em high, sell em cheap principle, presents a significant number of potential problems for the would-be UK Pilot.  Theoretical knowledge exams need to be completed prior to going abroad to learn to fly, and these can take the average person an additional 6 to 12 months. It is not uncommon for the trainee never to have the same instructor or aircraft twice! There are major differences in Air Traffic Communications and procedures. Aircraft performance can be very different in hotter climates, too. We find that on average, it takes between 5 and 10 hours of further training before a pilot who has trained abroad is safe to fly in the UK.

How we improve on this: We have run Fast Track flight training courses successfully for over 7 years and boast a completion time of only 4 weeks from start to finish (‘zero to hero!’ as it’s known in the business). Most other schools quote 3 months to 2 years! We don’t have a special deal with the weatherman either. Our training ethos is to make the most out of every day. We have found over the years that it’s rare that on any one day you can’t fly for at least two hours. It may be that early morning is the optimum time or, perhaps, late afternoon, but we’ll get you up there, if it’s humanly possible. And, don’t forget, there are lots of ground-based activities to fit in: flight planning and navigation exercises, emergency procedure drills and radio practice. There’s never a day wasted!

We have patient, dedicated and enthusiastic instructors. We guarantee no more than two instructors and two aircraft for your training, thereby ensuring continuity. When you’re ready for your skills test, that final stage before that hard earned licence wings your way, we have in-house examiners immediately available. We guarantee you won’t be kept waiting around for weeks on end until that elusive examiner shows up!

We appreciate that students go through a roller-coaster of emotions when learning to fly. We know all about how time away from family and work, financial issues and loneliness can take their toll. That’s why our services extend far beyond just teaching you to fly. We arrange your accommodation, and car hire.   We, even, book the flights for our overseas students. And what better way is there to end the end than by doing the de-brief in the local pub! Work hard, play hard is our motto!

2) Ground School

Traditionally, flying schools throughout the world advise their student pilots to tackle the ground school element by just reading a set of standard text books. These are anywhere from 300 to 500 pages in length and there are 7 to get through. Not easy!  Not the sort of thing that these days most would-be pilots, generally dynamic people in their mid-30s to 40s, have time for. Recognising this, the majority of schools in the UK simply advise them to buy a copy of the PPL Confuser (a book of questions that replicate what you’ll see in the exam). Students are advised to just rehearse these questions and then take the exam! What on earth are they actually learning? Nothing.

Flying is an immensely rewarding and fun hobby/career. At the same time it is also a very serious discipline. A thorough understanding of all the ground school subjects is absolutely necessary to become a safe and competent pilot. You need to know how to flight plan safely, interpret weather-related charts, understand the different types of airspace and, most importantly, you must learn to enjoy learning!

Our courses are designed to teach you specifically what you need to be SAFE. We cover the 7 subjects required for the award of a PPL in 5 days. Each course is delivered, using high quality presentations, by dedicated, patient and enthusiastic instructors. We go through the syllabus for each subject in detail. After a mock exam and detailed Q& A session, students will sit the exam at the end of the day. To date our proven techniques enable us to boast a 100% success rate!

3) iPhone, iPad and Android Flight Training Applications

Technology is advancing rapidly and at all times we aim to make the best use of it. With the advent of the iPhone, iPad and other smart phones, student pilots can have immediate access to good quality flight training materials without having to lug around a big flight bag filled with those 7 heavy books!

Our mobile Apps are available on the iPhone and Android smart phone platforms. They are also available for the iPad. They are practice exam apps for the PPL and ATPL ground school exams. It no longer makes sense to weigh yourself down with those hardbacks when you can have over 15,000 current database questions in your pocket! We will be releasing new applications to cover other aspects of flight training, as well as eBooks.

4) Virtual Flying Instructor

Brand new for 2011 is the latest concept designed by The Great Circle.  The aim of our Virtual Flying Instructor is to offer the majority of our services online for those that simply cannot attend in person. Students can log in and take video courses, participate in live webinar classes and pilot Q&A revision sessions. We also provide a free consultation service online for those that wish to discuss any element of their training and need a second opinion on how they can progress. This unique service allows you to simulate in your own home the actual learning experience, saving time and money whilst getting the very best of tuition that is currently available by this means.

5) Exam Wizard

We offer an online Pilot exam practice service. Pilots can take PPL, CPL or ATPL practice exams, with over 15,000 questions to choose from, on the biggest database in existence! The user interface is seriously good; not only can you can store your results, but you can actually monitor your own performance by consulting the charts that diagnose your strengths and weaknesses. This truly is a wizard idea!

6) Boeing Collection

We are also the UK’s only Boeing Merchandise & Collectibles retailer. Visit our online Boeing Collection shop for Pilot gifts and other bespoke aviation merchandise. From lanyards to hats, t-shirts to all the latest gadgets, there will be something to catch your eye and suit your budget. If you want to be a pilot, you not only have to talk the talk but dress the part – and the Boeing Collection can help you do that. Our clients don’t waste their precious time in shopping malls. They like to have their hands on all the controls – and shop at the touch of a button.

7) Consultancy

Our services aren’t just about getting your licence. Again uniquely, we offer a fully comprehensive professional pilot training and careers consultancy service. Whether you just want to get your PPL or become an Airline Pilot, our careers guidance service will be an invaluable first stop on your pilot training journey. We offer genuinely impartial advice on choosing a school, where and how to train, how best to finance your training as well as serious money-saving tips!

And our services don’t just stop when you’ve got your licence. Our dedicated Type Rating Instructors and Examiners will provide quality instruction and feedback on all aspects related to getting that Airline job, with invaluable advice on such things as interview technique, and the best ways to answer technical questions. We also offer simulator assessment courses designed to help you pass that all-important ‘sim ride’.

8) Pilotbook

First came Facebook!  Now comes Pilotbook, the new facebook for pilots! But ours is not just another forum for the world’s disillusioned wannabes and dreamers to pour out their cringe worthy stories.  Pilotbook is for dynamic people like yourself who have something important to say.  In fact the only thing it really has in common with facebook is that it’s free and works along the same lines. You can blog, create and join chatrooms, create events, upload video and much more… all related to aviation. You do not, even have to have earned your wings.  As long as you are enthusiastic about the business, you’re very welcome on board!  And coming soon … we will also be offering a ‘pilot eBay’ style auction house for pilot gear!