Post by viscount on Aug 21, 2011 10:28:08 GMT 1
MERSEYFLIGHT LTD
t/a MERSEYFLIGHT AIR TRAINING SCHOOL
2008 – Current
t/a MERSEYFLIGHT AIR TRAINING SCHOOL
2008 – Current
Merseyflight was formed in the final months of 2007 following the closure of ‘Cheshire Air Training School’ in November of that same year. Very quickly they found and purchased their first aircraft, a Cessna F.150L G-BCBX. Merseyflight took delivery of the aircraft from Newtownards on 12th January 2008. The lease on the Portacabin rooms formerly used by CATS were acquired and by mid-January the company accepted its first members. Merseyflight Air Training School were in business.
A set-back followed in March when what should have been a routine 50 Hour Inspection at Barton Aerodrome became a prolonged grounding. It transpired that the engine was 'life expired' and so could not be used for Hire or Reward. Indeed the aircraft was sold while still away on maintenance. Liverpool based Cessna 152 G-BFHU was used when needed, until a leased Cessna 152 G-BNMF arrived from Halfpenny Green in early June. As business increased so a second Cessna 152 G-FIGA was leased during September. This aircraft has since formed the back-bone of the fleet as it was purchased mid-2010 and continues in service today. Leased G-BNMF was returned in November 2008.
A regular second aircraft joined G-FIGA, when leased Piper Warrior G-CEGS arrived from Halfpenny green on 30th January 2009. It served until mid-August until it was replaced by a purchased Cherokee 140, G-AVGI. G-AVGI arrived from Barton on 25th August 2009 and operated until February 2013.
Shortly after a third aircraft in the fleet was added. With a view to purchase Cessna F.150L G-BBNJ arrived on 22nd February 2009 but only stayed with Merseyflight for 3 months. Still in Sherburn Aero Club titles this aircraft proved unsuitable for the company’s requirements. It was replaced by Cessna 152 G-CCTW in June 2009. A regular fourth aircraft arrived in October with the lease of Cessna 152 G-KATT. Despite considerable opposition from Liverpool’s two larger and well established flying schools Merseyflight with four aircraft in only its second year of operation was clearly here to stay. It provided much needed competition, and has driven down prices for flight training and continues to look for opportunities. It is the only North West school to receive CAA authorisation as a test centre for Float Plane theory and hopes to provide full Floatplane qualifications in the future.
During 2010 Merseyflight worked on its image, refurbishing their clubrooms and advertising trial and air experience flights widely. Their premises were well placed to attract public interest being outside the security fencing and accessed directly from the GA public car park. The fleet during 2010 consisted of Cessna 152s G-FIGA, G-CCTW and Cherokee 140 G-AVGI, while the fourth aircraft, Cessna 152 G-KATT was exchanged for Tomahawk G-EDNA in May, then followed by G-BVHM in December and now G-VMCG from May 2011. For a brief two week period in March 2010 Tomahawk G-BGRR in ‘Pure Aviation’ titles and logo was used, presumably as cover during maintenance. Tomahawk G-EDNA has returned to the fleet as of 4th August 2011, replacing Cessna 152 G-CCTW. The Tomahawk G-VMCG was repainted late October/early November 2011 from its Crystal Air scheme to Pure Air's scheme with blue rudder with a met. symbol cloud as a logo on the tail.
During winter 2010/11 additional security measures placed Merseyflight inside the GA security fencing, but with a direct gate for public access. More competition arrived at Liverpool Airport setting up in Portacabin premises next door but this has only generated further business for Merseyflight. Indeed for the first 6 months of 2011 Merseyflight exceeded all expectations although an intended expansion of the fleet to 5 Aircraft in 2012 did not occur. The fleet for summer 2012 being the Cherokee 140, Cessna 152 and two Tomahawks.
Winter 2012/13 brought about a number of changes, some planned, another unexpected. Ownership of the company was restructured, with the founding owner being bought-out by one of the School's flying instructors. The sole Cessna 152, G-FIGA was sold, departing on 10th December to new owners in the Derby area via Sleap. Tomahawk G-VMCG was away at Halfpenny Green for routine maintenance 12th December through to 8th February. Not long after the Tomahawk had returned to service bring the fleet back up to 3 aircraft, on 15th March Cherokee 140 G-AVGI suffered a nose wheel collapse and damage to the nose, engine and propeller, following an engine failure on take off. After sitting on the GA apron for a couple of weeks the aircraft left by road 30th March, written-off damaged beyond economic repair. A replacement, in the form of Cherokee 140 G-BSLU arrived at Liverpool on 31st May 2013 in time for the main summer season, bringing the fleet back upto 2 Tomahawks and a Cherokee 140. Two further Tomahawks were purchased for use by Merseyflight July 2013 from Ravenair and re-painted at Sleap into corporate colours (matching G-BSLU) before entering service. Before G-RVND the first of two new Tomahawks entered service 25th July 2013, Tomahawk G-EDNA departed on 12th June for Defford in Gloucestershire. For the second half of summer '13 the fleet stabilised, with Cherokee G-BSLU and three Tomahawks G-RVNB, G-RVND and G-VMCG.
In addition to air experience flights, trial lessons and sight-seeing flights, Merseyflight offer professionally run courses leading towards award of JAR Private Pilots Licence (PPL), National Private Pilots Licence (NPPL), CAA IMC Rating, JAR Night Qualification and JAR PPL/SE Revalidation. It has an on-site Flight Examiner and as a company prides itself on customer service. It is also getting ready for the new EASA License due out early next year. It has featured several times on the BBC and in National and Local newspapers. Merseyflight during summer '11 employed 3 operations staff, 3 full time and 2 part time instructors. For some time, Merseyflight could boast that they were the only Liverpool flying school to offer students both high and low wing aircraft for training, although they have now standardised on Piper designs.
The very busy company have come a long way in under 6 years, and market themselves with the by-line, "Fly Merseyflight – Liverpool’s No1 Flying School". For further contact details www.merseyflight.co.uk
Compiled by Brian Jones for nwan forum, with the helpful assistance of Merseyflight. Written August 2011, last updated October 2013.
Not a full update (which is needed), but a note that Merseyflight vacated their JLA facilities and moved their 4 aircraft, Cherokee G-BSLU and Tomahawks G-SUKI, G-VMCG and G-BYMD across to Hawarden on 19th January 2021.
FLEET LIST
Regn. Type Arrived Departed Comment
G-AVGI Cherokee 140 25.08.09 R20.03.13 purchased by Merseyflight, dbr 15.02.13 following engine failure.
G-BBNJ Cessna F150L 22.02.09 26.05.09
G-BCBX Cessna F150L 12.01.08 07.03.08 dep to Barton for CofA, did not return, sold 9.09
G-BGRR Tomahawk 112 04.03.10 17.03.10 temporary cover
G-BNMF Cessna 152 07.06.08 12.11.08
G-BSLU Cherokee 140 31.05.13 current
G-BVHM Tomahawk 112 09.12.10 24.05.11
G-CCTW Cessna 152 11.06.09 26.07.11
G-CEGS Cherokee 161 30.01.09 17.08.09
G-EDNA Tomahawk 112 27.05.10 09.12.10 first time around, returned later
G-EDNA Tomahawk 112 04.08.11 12.06.13
G-FIGA Cessna 152 12.09.08 10.12.12 initially leased, purchased 6.10, then later sold
G-KATT Cessna 152 01.10.09 27.05.10
G-RVNB Tomahawk 112 July '13 current
G-RVND Tomahawk 112 25.06.13 current
G-VMCG Tomahawk 112 24.05.11 current
.
Also use of locally owned Cessna 152 G-BFHU during spring 2008 on a 'when required' basis.
