Flying a jet trainer is within reach of the average PPL

Jet Provost MK3

HOW many of us can truly say we haven’t dreamt of flying a jet? Well, now’s the time to wake up and smell Jet A1 fuel because opportunity has just knocked on the door!

Flying jets is safe and reasonably affordable with North Weald-based syndicate Where Eagles Share. Four grand buys you a share in a pair of pristine Jet Provosts (a Mk3 and Mk5), plus £235 per month and between £175 and £250 per hour for fuel depending on whether you are going fast or faster. Less than £500 a month means you can fly for an hour each month or better still, fly with one of the other 22 members and you can get a couple of hours a month. If you’re like me, you end up convincing yourself that if you cut back on the pub and a bit less on the car, it might just be possible.

I flew the Mk3 which produces 1700lb of thrust which means I can cruise around at 280mph. You don’t need a different licence, just a straight PPL(A). Insurance asks that you have 125 hours minimum and fl y 10 hours on type which you get to do with one of four instructors but it’s easy. In fact, I’d say landing a PA28 is harder. Take-off is a breeze and a lot of fun. Hold it on the brakes as you increase power to 100%, release and you’re off , hurtling down the runway, holding it straight with a dab on the brakes, and then as you reach 40kt, with rudder. It doesn’t take long though and at 75kt it’s time to rotate.

Hold it low once she’s off the ground, build up the speed and then it’s off to the east of North Weald for some serious fun. Instructor Brian Skillicorn encourages me to throw it around, so I realise I’m handling a piece of machinery that was built for the job. I’m loving every moment and go straight into a ballistic roll, then another and another and another. I could stay up here all day but a loop beckons, followed by a couple of barrel rolls, the last of which was poor and I’m glad of the height.

Flying with Where Eagles Share is as much about learning as it is about fun. One of the members has just 80 hours but is flying with an instructor each time until he builds his hours. All walks of life make up the syndicate. From teachers to City chaps, from steel fabricators to doctors. The atmosphere is nice and relaxed, and you get the feeling that egos are not welcome but friendship and camaraderie are.

The syndicate is looking to get a L39 soon – they’re actively looking for the right one. A few of the syndicate have got together and bought a Folland Gnat. One last word of advice, if you’re over 6ft take your own flying suit. I borrowed one meant for the vertically challenged and as I strode out to the JP, bonedome under arm, sun setting, I suddenly felt the coolness on my bare shins; cue everyone falls about laughing.

W: www.area51aviation.co.uk/eagles.html