Stapleford Flight Centre, based at Stapleford aerodrome near London, is collaborating with FlyWatch Global to offer a 10-hour SET class rating on the Pilatus PC-12. The turboprop will also be made available for dry leasing.

The course will be led by FlyWatch Global director Tony Gunn, whose company offers aviation training, dry leasing and sales management for the PC-12 and Socata TBM and now has an office at Stapleford. Gunn trained and worked as a flight instructor at the airfield and now specialises in turboprop aircraft as a pilot and instructor. He first encountered Stapleford’s head of training Colin Dobney when he was an examiner for Dobney’s IMC at Southend airport. There are already five students signed up for the course, which offers a minimum of ten hours flight training in the aircraft, subject to experience, with a written exam and a high performance aircraft (HPA) exam for those without a professional licence. Stapleford-trained pilots will receive preferential treatment for jobs with FlyWatch Global operations, subject to suitability.

Dobney says: “Launching a SET class rating is an important development for us as a leading training school for tomorrow’s professional pilots and will be particularly attractive for those thinking of a career in the corporate sector. The Pilatus PC-12 is ideally suited to Stapleford and will offer excellent dry leasing options.”

Gunn adds: “Stapleford has established an excellent reputation for its professional training programme. The airfield’s location is ideal, with quick access to London and the M25 and M11 motorways. Above all, fuel costs here compare very favourably with other airfields in the area. It’s great to be back.”