As part of my Air League Scholarship, I completed three hours of flying with Flight Training London (FTL) at Elstree Aerodrome. It was a great opportunity to experience a new environment, especially since I will eventually be returning there later in my training for the more advanced stages such as MEIR, MEP, and CPL. It felt good to get a head start in becoming familiar with the airfield and the school’s setup.
Because FTL do not allow students over 75 kg to fly the C152, I flew the PA-28 for these lessons. I was already slightly familiar with the aircraft after my navigation lesson, so it felt like a natural progression. However, everything else was new; new aircraft, new instructor, and a new airfield layout — so I wasn’t entirely sure how best to use the three hours. I suggested that we start with an aircraft familiarisation flight and then move on to circuit work, which turned out to be the perfect balance.
My instructor, John, had a very different teaching style compared to anyone I’d flown with before. He was patient but also quite direct in his feedback. It took me a few minutes to get used to his approach, but I quickly realised that it came from experience and a desire to see improvement, not criticism for its own sake. His comments were constructive, and by the end of our time together, I found that I had learned a lot from him.
The Elstree circuit was challenging. It’s not a standard rectangular pattern, so it took a bit of time to adjust, especially while managing a new aircraft. The PA-28 felt heavier on the controls and more stable in the air, which was nice, but also required different handling from the C152. Despite the early challenges, by the end of the three hours I had become much more comfortable with the aircraft. My take offs and landings improved dramatically, and I left feeling like I’d made solid progress.
Even so, I have to admit that I still prefer the C152 at Denham. The Cessna feels like the go-kart of the flying world; light, responsive, and fun to fly. Denham also has a more homely atmosphere, whereas FTL feels more serious and professional, which I think will be a good thing later on when I move into the advanced stages of training and need that mindset. For now, though, I was happy to head back to my familiar little airfield and continue building hours in the 152 around my local area.
An added bonus of flying at Elstree was that it’s close to my parents’ house, so after each lesson I was able to stop by and see them. It made the whole experience even nicer, a mix of flying progress, family time, and a small glimpse of what’s ahead later in my training journey.
Modular Pilot Kiran 