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Learn to Fly

Operating a gyroplane in the UK requires a private pilot’s license (G). With the support of many talented instructors, obtaining the PPL-G is easier than ever, all of the instructors and examiners listed on this page are qualified instructors and highly experienced pilots, they are here to teach you how to safely fly AutoGyro aircraft.

The PPL-G consists of a minimum of 30 dual flight hours, a minimum of 10 solo flight hours including 3 hours of cross country flights and 5 multiple choice exams.

The cost of training varies depending on the training location and the aircraft model. Please contact a flight school for their current rates.


Instructor Qualifications – What do they mean?

SE: Senior Examiner (Can examine Examiners/Instructors/Pilots, set theoretical exams and Revalidate Examiner/Instructor/Pilot Licences)
FIE: Flight Instructor Examiner (Can examine Instructors/Pilots, set theoretical exams and Revalidate Instructor/Pilot Licences)
FE: Flight Examiners (Can examine Pilots, set theoretical exams and Revalidate Pilot Licences)
GE: Ground Examiner (Can set theoretical exams and Revalidate Pilot Licences)
FIC: Flying Instructor Courses (Can run Instructor courses)
FI: Flying Instructor (Can teach pilots and run their own school)
FI(R): Flying Instructor (Can teach pilots at an existing school)
NIGHT: Can teach existing pilots to fly at night
CPL: Can teach the CPL(G) Course


Do you want to become an AutoGyro Instructor?

Currently the UK only has around a dozen full-time instructors, with approximately the same number of part-time instructors, many operating in semi-retirement.  There is a clear demand for more instructors, and for more Gyroplane Flying Schools around the UK.  Will you be the next to qualify?

Flight instructor training can only take place at an ATOG. In the UK, flight instructor training is provided by Highland Aviation in Inverness. For further information, check out the details on Highland Aviation’s website here.

Instructors Map

Current Instructors – Updates in progress.


Highland Aviation Logo

Highland Aviation

Unit 101, Inverness Airport
Inverness Scotland
IV2 7JB United Kingdom

Tel: 01667 460361
Email: info@highlandaviation.com
Website: https://highlandaviation.com/

Aircraft Available: MTOS 2010, MTOS 2017 and Cavalon Pro.

Highland Aviation is based at Inverness International Airport, and has two full-time Gyro Instructors:

  • Will Roomes – NRI, FI(G), FIC(G), FE(G)

Will Roomes

  • Nick Phippen – NR, FI(G), GE(G)

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Highland Aviation became the first UK CAA Approved Training Organisation Gyroplanes (UK.ATOG.0001). This was the first approval of this type anywhere in the world. As the World Leader in Gyroplane Training, we are uniquely approved to offer all gyroplane pilot courses currently available in the UK. Click here to view the available courses.

Highland Aviation is accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) for Independent Further and Higher Education as a Short Course Provider. This means that Highland Aviation not only achieves an internationally recognised education standard, but is the only UK flight school currently able to sponsor international students via the Standard Visitor Visa route.

Highland Aviation is experienced in working with various foreign governments, having previously completed a number of intensive group training contracts in the UK and abroad. We believe we are the only gyroplane flight school worldwide able to offer these courses, with appropriately qualified flight instructors, rigorous training syllabi, enabling pilots to achieve the highest safety and professional standards. Click here to learn more…

Tom Linda in Calidus scaled e1708634827862 3f82b539

GyroplaneTrain

GyroplaneTrain, Shobdon Airfield, Shobdon, Leominster, HR6 9NR
Tel: 07802 506499
Email: info@gyroplanetrain.com
Website: https://www.gyroplanetrain.com

Aircraft Available: MTOS 2017, Calidus, Cavalon.

  • Tom Galloway: GE/FI

Member of the IAGPT, The B.R.A, The LAA and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association UK. 

‘As a retired NHS Consultant, having taught surgery for 40 years, it is a real pleasure to be able to put my teaching skills to good use in this different area and help students develop the knowledge and the motor skills to apply that knowledge wisely and safely.’  

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Alba Airsports

Alba Airsports, Hangar 1, Perth Airport, PH2 6PL

Tel: +44 07411 747272
Email: info@alba-airsports.co.uk
Website: alba-airsports.co.uk 

Aircraft Available: MTO Sport Classic

  • Kevin Whitehead: FE/FI
  • Richard Osborne: FI
Steve Pearce
FI

Steve Pearce

Sleap Airfield, Harmer Hill, Shrewsbury SY4 3HE

Tel: +44 07944 118995
Email: info@gchqsales.co.uk
Website: https://www.gchqsales.co.uk

Gyrocopter Headquarters
GCHQ has two dedicated privately owned Gyro Hangars at Sleap Aerodrome. Servicing repairs, accident repairs and even full rebuilds take place under the authority of our CAA and LAA certifications.
Your Gyro is always in the expert care of those that know Rotorcraft specifically.
We offer a turnkey approach to our work where possible to ensure the best results. However, you can come to use all or just part of our services if you wish.
Full services allow customers to enjoy Hangarage. A free courtesy vehicle available to book if needed, or even an overnight stay for the pilot flying in from further away.
It is our aim that your customer experience when using any part of GCHQ, stands out as a professional, courteous, competitive and timely.
Booking ahead with us greatly improves the customer experience and reduces parts waiting times to a minimum.
If it is servicing, license revalidation, permit testing or standard or advanced training, mods or improvements, we want to set the standard for others to uplift to.

Stephen Pearce
Founded and heads up the GCHQ organisation with 40 plus years aviating, and 45 plus years in Engineering. Stephen is a Qualified Chief Flying Instructor operating at Sleap Aerodrome. He is an LAA registered Duplications Inspector, professional certified Rotax Engineer (qualifying with Both Rotax courses on engines and AutoGyro GMBH on airframes and Rotor Balancing).
Stephen started his aviation career training at Hawarden in 1980 on Beagle pup, Cessna 172, Chipmunk and even Tiger moth! Somehow along the way, Stephen got a ride in a Gyro and the special flying characteristics had him hooked to all things Rotary.
Taking his Helicopter license (day and night ratings) up shortly after starting Gyros, his Rotary career moved into a career helping others achieve their goals via Instructing, selling and maintaining, in the main, rotary aircraft.

Advanced Training
The learning process never stops in flying as the saying goes ….. and it is so true!
After passing you gyro GFT, it’s license to learn and practice and develop you flying skills up to and beyond, Master pilot level.
The flying envelope of your aircraft will be well known to your instructor, and only by taking further instruction, will you be able to develop all your advanced flying skills safely.
There are many advanced flying techniques that you can learn, that will increase your skills and make you a safer, more competent, and highly skilled pilot.
There are many examples.
One example might be precision spot landings for instance.
The need to be able to precision spot land and stop almost at once, is an extreamly valuable safety skill set to have. These are not just for fun skills ( although they are )…. They have serious purpose. On Landings for example, you may only have terrain available for a sudden emergency situation that is tiny. So having these skills then becomes a potential life saver. So fun with a serious purpose, is how I would describe most advanced flying. Landings are only one example of many that will equip you for almost any situation you find yourself in.
Call up our instructor …. It will be money very well spent!

    kai maurer
    FE/FI

    Kai Maurer

    Rochester Airport, Maidstone Rd, Rochester, Chatham ME5 9SD

    Tel: +44 07508 601964
    Email: kai@gyroschool.co.uk
    Website: https://www.gyroschool.co.uk

    Aircraft Available: MTO Sport, Cavalon Pro

      Nick Wright
      FE(G)/FI(G)

      Nick Wright

      Tel: +44 07734 055791
      Email: flythisgyro@gmail.com
      Website: www.gyrocopterexperience.com/devon

      Exeter Airport – Cavalon.
      Farway Common Airfield – Mt03.
      Henstridge Airfield – Cavalon.
      And, from Easter 2024, Bodmin Airfield.
      Also training on customer’s own gyro of any make and type. 

        East Coast Gyro

        East Coast Gyrocopters

        East Coast Gyrocopters, Rufforth Airfield East, Wetherby Rd, Rufforth, York YO23 3QA

        Tel: +44 07966 450212
        Email: jim.hughes1999@gmail.com
        Website: http://eastcoastgyrocopters.co.uk

        • Jim: GE/FI

        Jim has been a Gyro instructor since 2014. A fully qualified FI that has supervised a number of other FI(R) so they may become full FI. 

        A keen aviation enthusiast that holds both wing Fixed wing and Gyroplane licenses. East Coast Gyrocopters is based at York (Rufforth).

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          GS Aviation

          GS Aviation Ltd, Clench Common Airfield, Clench Common, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 4NZ

          Tel: +44 01672 515535
          Email: info@gsaviation.co.uk
          Website: https://www.gsaviation.co.uk

          Aircraft Available: MTO Sport, Calidus

          • Graham Slater: FE/FI
          • David Rogerson: FI

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          FE/FI

          Chris Jones

          Chris Jones Gyroplanes, Kirkbride Airfield, Kirkbride CA7 5HP

          Tel: +44 07796 955805
          Email: chrisjonesgyro21@talktalk.net
          Website: https://www.chrisjonesgyroplanes.com

          Aircraft Available: MTO Sport / MT03

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            FI(R)

            Lloyd Carnie

            Tel: +44 07711918037
            Email: lloyd_carnie@hotmail.com

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              FI

              Andrew Hawes

              Beccles

              Tel: +44 07789 993818
              Email: andygyro@mail.com

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                GE/FI

                Phil Robinson

                Tel: +44 
                Email:
                Website:

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                  FI

                  Alistair Mann

                  Tel: +44 
                  Email: alistair@clocktowerfm.com
                  Website:

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                    FI

                    Roger Savage

                    Lake District Gyroplanes, Berrier, Nr Ullswater,
                    Lake District, CA11 0XD

                    Tel: +44 07836 272033
                    Email: roger@lakedistrictgyroplanes.co.uk
                    Website: https://www.lakedistrictgyroplanes.co.uk

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                      SE/FI

                      David Beevers

                      Tel: +44 07761 539045
                      Email: david_beevers@hotmail.com
                      Website: https://www.pocklingtongyroplaneschool.co.uk

                      Aircraft Available: Your own AutoGyro aircraft

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                        GE/FI

                        Clive Rose

                        Tel: +44 07773 338020
                        Email: gyros@willyrose.co.uk

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                          FI(R)

                          Brian Buddery

                          Tel: +44 07824 552185
                          Email: brian.buddery@flightinspection.co.uk

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                            FE/FIC/FI

                            Kevin Robinson

                            Tel: +44 07967 646673
                            Email: k.j.robinson@ntlworld.com

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                              FI

                              Kip Morton

                              Tel: +44 07794 265503
                              Email: info@revolutiongyros.co.uk

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                                FI(R)

                                Mark Quinn

                                Tel: +44 07880 707489
                                Email: mpquinny289@googlemail.com

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                                  FI

                                  Matthew Sellers

                                  Tel: +44 07890 097674
                                  Email: mat.sellers@gmail.com
                                  Website: