The Royal Institute of Navigation is always looking for new and exciting ways to stimulate interest and involvement in navigation on land, in the air, at sea and in space.

Currently, the RIN runs an annual general aviation competition called TopNav. The competition is open to teams of general aviators, and the competition focuses on determining waypoints using Gordon Wansborough's Vortrack system.

The competition is 'blind', as crews only know of their next waypoint whilst airborne. You get sealed envelopes to open at specific times and so the navigator has to do all their planning whilst airborne. The idea is to navigate your way round a set course of 8 to 10 waypoints (approx 200nm) using traditional navigation methods.

The new Cessna 162 (SKYCATCHER) has given the GA world a new lease of life.  With deliveries starting at 2010, Cessna is already holding deposits on more than 1000 units at a price of $111,500 each.  This is the best example of brand loyalty ever.  We are delighted that Wycombe Air Centre has 10 SKYCATCHERs on order for their clients. WAC was actually the UK's first Cessna C-Star - a prestigeous dealership status offered out to those outlets that faithfully promote the Cessna brand.

In 2008, Cessna will introduce the famous 172 model with the turbo diesel option,  The 2.0 litre Thielert as a factory option will reduce the operating cost of a 172 significantly.

Cessna has been experimenting with this engine for sometime and we are confident that we will enjoy a reliable and more powerful engine in our Cessna 172's from mid year 2008.

Cabair Group has 18 Cessna aircraft On order for 2008 so far. Seven 172, mostly with Diesel engine, a 182 And 10 Skycatcher 162 with further orders pending.

Cabair College of Air Training have a flying visit from Polly Vacher

Polly Vacher is a famous English aviator specialising in long-distance solo flights, raising money for worthwhile charities. She was pursuing her "Wings Around Britain" tour - a Flight around the UK landing at all 206 airfields in the Jeppesen VFR Manual, between 21 May and 31 July 2007- when she managed to find time in her busy schedule to visit Cabair College of Air Training at Cranfield. As you can see from the photo right, we looked after her every needs! Polly answered questins from students and signed copies of her book "Wings around the world"

Wellesbourne Aviation latest Cabair acquisition

Wellesbourne Aviation, the Midlands’ premier flying school based at Wellesbourne Aerodrome in Warwickshire, has been acquired by Cabair Flying Schools Limited, itself part of the Cabair Group.

Retaining its senior management team and all staff it will continue to provide the high quality pilot training for which it is renowned. The school’s link with Cabair’s flying schools and pilot training centres in the UK and overseas will bring many benefits and opportunities to both Wellesbourne Aviation and Cabair customers. With eight well known flying schools already delivering private pilot training at Bournemouth, Blackbushe, Biggin Hill, Cranfield, Denham, Elstree, Rochester and Wycombe, Wellesbourne is a welcome geographic addition to spread Cabair’s brand to the Midlands.

'BE A PILOT' HOTLINE NOW OPEN
We think flying is a pretty cool hobby - in fact it makes a pretty good career too! Cabair Flying Schools can offer you anything from a half hour flight to a full Private Pilot's Licence and additional ratings at any of our eight flying schools around the London Orbital. To check where your nearest Cabair Flying School is, look at this map.

Both Cabair Flying Schools website and its sister website - Flying Vouchers - have been redesigned to reflect how we feel about flying - it's a passion beyond compare! Our aim is to get you airborne - whether it be for one hour or for life. And we believe that once you've been 'Up there where the air is rarified' you will want to 'Be a Pilot'!

So we have created the 'Be a Pilot' Hotline on 0845 094 60 60 which is there to advise you on how you can get airborne - flying aeroplanes or helicopters. We can help you book your first flight and then hold your hand every step of the way to your Private Pilot's LIcence (PPL).

NB. This hotline is for PPL enquiries only - for commercial enquires call 01234 436 070

If you want details of the actual PPL courses, how to hire our aircraft, or what you can do with your licence, visit our website and download our informative datasheets. So we look forward to welcoming you to a Cabair Flying School soon: Let's get you aiborne!

After earnest discussion this became a fund raising event for “Flying scholarships for the Disabled ”and those taking part approached the airfields involved and asked them to waive their landing fees ,which they all did, and the flyers put the money saved into the Charity , raising £700.

FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS WANTED

We have a number of openings for Flying Instructors at flying schools including London School of Flying at Elstree. We would be delighted to hear from you if you are interested in teaching others to fly. We offer several courses to enable you to do this - including our own internship scheme. For further information email us here.

FIRST JAA ATPL COURSE STARTS AT FUJAIRAH

The first JAA ATPL course, which is a result of a collaboration between Fujairah Aviation Academy and Cabair College of Air Training (CCAT), commences in May at Fujairah International Airport. 10 self-sponsored students begin a 16 month integrated course and will go on to fly for various airlines after graduation.

CABAIR DIAMONDS SPARKLE WITH INSTRUMENT RATING TEST SUCCESS

Student pilots on Cabair’s First Officer Direct Integrated ATPL courses are raising a few eyebrows with their performances in the instrument Rating Test. The challenging IRT notoriously requires the skills of a “one-armed paper hanger”, yet current test results at Cranfield are suggesting otherwise.

Since the middle of January this year sixteen student pilots on the trot has secured a first time pass for the Instrument Rating, and, 100% of all students have gained "first series" passes since November 2006 when the Diamond DA42 came on line.

Wycombe Air Centre, one of the UK’s leading flying schools based at Booker in Buckinghamshire, has been acquired by The Cabair Group of Aviation Companies. While retaining its senior management team and continuing to provide the high quality pilot training for which it is renowned, the School’s integration into Cabair’s group of professional pilot training centres in the UK and overseas will bring many benefits and opportunities to both WAC and Cabair customers – particularly within the framework of Cabair’s existing modular commercial pilot training system.

Wycombe Managing Director, Shari Peyami, says: “We have known Cabair for many years and are looking forward to working with them to develop our operations here at Wycombe – particularly commercial pilot training. Also, we expect to add value to our relationship with Cessna, for whom we have been an authorised representative for 9 years, and which we now hope will lead to the developing of sales within Cabair Flying Schools and the rest of the Group.”

Sebastian Wentzler
Head of Corporate Communications

Salim Chagani
General Manager Cabair Maintenance

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8236 2400
Fax: +44 (0) 20 9207 0995
E-Mail: Here

One of the main aims of this programme is to prepare students to pass CAA examinations to achieve an ATPL Licence. The assessment of the Foundation Degree is distinct from the licence requirement, but since the students are required to acquire a very large body of knowledge, examinations are more widely used than is typical on other KU Foundation Degree programmes. Accordingly, students may be eligible to enter the JAR ATPL ground examinations, which if passed along with practical flying tests, will enable application for a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) provided all requirements are met.

For more information see here