Cabair College of Air Training is holding a seminar open day at Elstree Aerodrome in North London, dedicated to helicopter pilot training. The event will take place on Saturday 30 January 2010.

Cabair says that there will be presentations detailing both integrated and modular training routes, as well as further presentations covering funding options, pre-entry requirements and flight & ground school information. They are also hoping to have a special guest in attendance who will talk about life as a professional pilot.

Visitors will be treated to a buffet lunch followed by a tour of the facilities, including a look at some of Cabair’s helicopter fleet and their FNPT II Simulator.

The open day is free to attend. Bookings can be made online at http://www.cabairhelicopterpilot.com/contact.htm#form, or by calling 01234 751 243.

It is rumoured that due to new operational restrictions being put in place for single pilot, multi-reindeer, IMC flying, Santa has been forced to seek alternative forms of transport recently. It’s normally the tinkle of bells rather than the whine of a turbine that precedes the jolly man’s arrival, but children were treated recently to the unusual spectacle of Santa arriving by helicopter at Martin House Children’s Hospice in Boston Spa.

Professional Flight Training, a Bournemouth airport-based flight training school offering courses from PPL up to CPL, IR level, closed this Monday (14^th December) leaving a number of students stranded mid-way through their courses.

 It is not yet known whether the school will be sold as a going concern or placed into administration. FTN contacted the school earlier this week and we are currently waiting on an update from head of training, Mike Boulton, whose comments we hope to publish early next week. In the meantime, FTN understands that every effort is being made by the school to reimburse those students who had paid up front for their training.

In response to our article Disley Aviation in Trouble? entered in the last edition of FTN, we were contacted by company director Jonathan Disley. Mr Disley has written the following statement that we reproduce in full, without comment.

My name is Jonathan Disley, and I am the director of Disley Aviation.

Although I have previously refrained from acknowledging any of the ever-changing comments and rumours, circulating on the “Aviation Grape Vine”, I now feel that considering the way these negative comments and rumours have affected the reputation and credibility of Disley Aviation, it’s time to set the record straight.