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Pilot Training

A group blog by Pilot Training in Division Updates

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Contributors to this blog

  • Daniel Crookes 40
  • Darren Hill 30
  • Gdpr Removed 9
  • Lewis Hardcastle 1
  • Matthew Wilson 1
  • Lewis Hammett 1
  • Ben Carpenter 1
  • Tarik Merrylees 1
  • Cole Edwards 1

About this blog

Entries in this blog

Pilot Training

Cole Edwards - Resignation

Hi everyone, After joining the VATSIM UK Pilot Department in September 2023, I’ve made the decision to step down from the Initial Flight Instructor role. It’s been a genuinely rewarding experience to contribute to The Flying Programme, especially during a period of significant growth and change across the division. Life, however, has a habit of catching up with us all, and I’ve found it increasingly difficult to give the role the time and attention it deserves. I’m proud of what I’ve been a
Cole Edwards

Cole Edwards in Pilot Training

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Pilot Training

Changes to the Pilot Training Waiting Lists

What's Changing? Each of the Pilot Training waiting lists can be subject to three types of restrictions: Minimum network experience This requires members to have a minimum number of flying and/or ATC hours on the VATSIM network Minimum activity This requires members on the list to maintain a minimum amount of activity on the VATSIM network Maximum list size This will close enrollment to the list if it reaches a predetermined size The implementation of t
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Pilot Training

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Staff Changes

Pilot Training Manager and Initial Flight Instructor

Hi all! I am please to announce two appointments to the Pilot Training team! @Lewis Hammett returns to the team as our Pilot Training Manager @Riley Casement joins us as our second Initial Flight Instructor alongside Cole Both of them bring the enthusiasm and passion we need to take our training forward. I cannot wait to see where Pilot Training goes! Safe landings ✈️
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Staff Changes

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Pilot Training

Quarterly Review: Q1 2025

A massive shout out to everyone who is involved with Pilot Training at the moment: our wonderful team of mentors, our FIs ( @Ben Carpenter, @Benjamin Arrowsmith, @Firas Bashee, @Cole Edwards, @Tarik Merrylees), and our TDA @Craig Stewart. Join the team We are always looking for new mentors across our training courses: P1, P2, and TFP. Irrespective of your experience, if you are interested in contributing to the division and passionate about flying then please reach out! Helpdesk:
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Pilot Training

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Pilot Training

2024: In Review

Hi all! With the new year well underway, I want to take a moment to review and reflect on the successes of Pilot Training in 2024. As most of you will remember, mid-2024 saw a massive shift in how I was running Pilot Training. Read more here: Since then, I've made sure to deliver on my promises of being a better leader to my team and to improve our training programmes. I am beyond excited to announce that with the incredible help of the FIs (@Benjamin Arrowsmith, @Ben Carpenter,
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Pilot Training

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Pilot Training

P1 PPL(A) Syllabus and Moodle Updates

Hi all! After months of planning, getting .net approval, and a late night push with @Ben Carpenter, we are extremely proud to announce our revised and streamlined P1 PPL(A) syllabus. These changes are the first step in a wider effort my Pilot Training to improve training efficiency, modernize our syllabus, and encourage more self-study for students. Syllabus Changes Note: changes are effective immediately. The overall changes can be summarized as follows: Removal of t
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Pilot Training

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Staff Changes

VFR Flight Instructor

Hi all! I am pleased to announce that @Ben Carpenter has returned to the Pilot Training team as our new co-VFR Flight Instructor alongside @Benjamin Arrowsmith. Ben has some great ideas about how to optimize our P1 course and brings passion from his real-world flying. Welcome back! (And yes, we still need to sort out the Ben and Ben situation 😂) Safe landings ✈️
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Staff Changes

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Pilot Training

Quarterly Review: Q3 2024

Join the team We are always looking for new mentors across our training courses: P1, P2, and TFP. Irrespective of your experience, if you are interested in contributing to the division and passionate about flying then please reach out! Helpdesk: https://helpdesk.vatsim.uk/ (select “Pilot Training” as the department) A new horizon The third quarter of 2024 played host to a mentality shift within the Pilot Training team. The numbers may not show it directly, but some great stri
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Pilot Training

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Pilot Training

Quarterly Review: Q2 2024

Join the team We are always looking for new mentors across our training courses: P1, P2, and TFP. Irrespective of your experience, if you are interested in contributing to the division and passionate about flying then please reach out! Helpdesk: https://helpdesk.vatsim.uk/ (select “Pilot Training” as the department)   The second quarter The second quarter of 2024 was a rather challenging quarter, both in the department and in my personal life. Many of you will notice a d
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Pilot Training

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Pilot Training

Quarterly Review: Q1 2024

A look back on 2023 The 2023 calendar year saw some major changes to Pilot Training across the network, notably the introduction of the P5 and P6 ratings. In addition, the VATSIM UK ATO was audited for the first time in 2 years – a new experience for everyone involved due to the new audit structure and scope. One thing that didn’t happen much last year was regular updates from our department. The lack of the usual quarterly reports is something I let slide while life got busy, and th
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Pilot Training

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Pilot Training

VATSIM UK needs volunteers for the new P3 Course!

VATSIM UK is asking for talented aviation lovers wanting to help the divison create a new P3 course.   Course content creators You will be given the resource, guidance, and support needed to help us create the lesson content needed for the P3 course. The P3 is being created with a radically new approach in comparison to the P1 and P2 courses, and you will be involved in the implementation of a brand new training system. Those involved in the creation of the course will also have t
Tarik Merrylees

Tarik Merrylees in Pilot Training

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Staff Changes

Advanced Flight Instructor

Hi all! I am pleased to announce that @Tarik Merrylees is joining Pilot Training as our first Advanced Flight Instructor! Tarik has an extensive background in real-world instructing. His passion for developing the P3 CMEL(A) course and bringing a new perspective to the Department is simply fantastic! While we will not commit to any release date, the P3 CMEL(A) is now officially under development! Welcome Tarik! Safe landings ✈️
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Staff Changes

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Pilot Training

Moodle Theory Exam Changes

Hi all! In light of .net's recommendations with our recent Pilot Training audit, there have been some changes made to the Moodle theory exams. For both the P1 PPL(A) and P2 SEIR(A) courses, the three and two exams respectively have been concatenated to one exam with the same question weighting. The changes are as follows: P1 PPL(A) Three exams -> One exam Pass mark 75% -> 70% Total questions 60 -> 40 Total time 90 minutes -> 60 minutes
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Pilot Training

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Staff Changes

VFR Flight Instructor

Hi all! I am pleased to announce that @Benjamin Arrowsmith is joining us as the new VFR Flight Instructor! Ben brings a wealth of real-world instructing experience and has presented some insightful ideas for moving the P1 course forward. Over the next week, I'll be handing over to Ben and he will lead the course (including it's practical rewrite 👀). Welcome to the team Ben! Safe landings ✈️
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Staff Changes

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Staff Changes

Initial Flight Instructor

Hi all! I am pleased to announce that @Cole Edwards has been selected as our new Initial Flight Instructor! Cole presented some amazing ideas and visions for both The Flying Programme and Pilot Training overall and will be an amazing asset to the team. He brings along good experience mentoring in the division. Over the next few weeks, Cole will work with Craig and Ben to take over the responsibilities of the role. All the best in your new role Cole, and welcome to the team! S
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Staff Changes

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Pilot Training

Ben Carpenter

Hi all! Ben Carpenter will be stepping down from his role as Initial FI. Ben has worked tirelessly to create the TFP course that we have and has done a grand job managing its running. All the best with your future endeavors Ben, and don't be a stranger! Blue skies and tailwinds ✈️
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Pilot Training

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Pilot Training

Dale Stainrod

Hi all! Dale Stainrod will be stepping down from his role as VFR Flight Instructor. Dale joined the team in April 2022 and has done an amazing job of managing the P1 PPL(A) course in that time. There have been 5 rating upgrades for the P1 and Dale has conducted 32 P1 sessions and 9 P1_MEN sessions. Additionally, he has overseen the initial development of the P1 course revamp. From myself and the rest of Pilot Training, we wish Dale all the best with his future endeavors. Thank you for
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Pilot Training

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Pilot Training

Modernising and Updating the P1 PPL(A)

Background ✈️ Our P1 PPL(A) course was released on 18 September 2020 and the course has remained largely unchanged since release, besides a few clarifications on lessons and shifting a lesson or two around. In that time, we have produced 11 P1 ratings and have conducted 270 mentoring sessions (as of 23 February 2023). However, recent discussions have highlighted the need for some major changes to the P1 course. Why is change necessary? 🔍 The Waiting List It is well known that
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Pilot Training

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Pilot Training

The Flying Programme Launch

Introduction ✈️ On the 13th of March 2021, Pilot Training put out a prospectus forum post describing The Flying Programme. Envisioned as an expansion of the P0 Initial Pilot rating, The Flying Programme proposed sessions, group flights, and seminars open to all home members on VATSIM UK to assist in starting out on the network. On the 13th of February 2023, The Flying Programme will be released. A special thanks to @Ben Carpenter, who has led the TFP development team since March 2
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Pilot Training

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Pilot Training

P2 - Single Engine Instrument Rating (Aeroplane) Release

P2 SEIR(A) is a go! As many of you know, the P2 has been in the works since early 2021. Over the past 1.5 years, the course has presented us with challenges which have required hours of tireless volunteering by the team to overcome and produce the final product. Firstly, I'd like to extend a sincere and massive thanks to: @Daniel Crookes @Freddie Charlesworth @Lewis Hammett @Tom Knowles @Firas Bashee If I forgot your name, please feel free to shout at me! who have each d
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Pilot Training

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Staff Changes

VFR Flight Instructor

Hi all! Please join me in congratulating our latest addition to the Pilot Training team: @Dale Stainrod! Dale join us as the VFR Flight Instructor, bringing real-world experience and fantastic enthusiasm to the team. He has been actively involved with P1 mentoring since his exam pass last year and continues to show his passion for aviation! Dale will begin this role with immediate effect, thus concluding the current recruitment drive for Pilot Training. Thank you to everyone who was
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Staff Changes

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Pilot Training

The Flying Programme Moodle Recruitment

Hi all! Vatsim UK's Pilot Training team is launching a new program called The Flying Program which aims at helping new pilots learn to fly and/or develop their skills on the network. We are in need of people who are passionate and willing to help create Moodle content for the course. The only requirements to join are as follows: Be a member of good standing within the community Have some aviation knowledge   If you're interested in learning more about The Fly
Ben Carpenter

Ben Carpenter in Pilot Training

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Staff Changes

IFR & Initial Flight Instructors

Hi all! Please join me in congratulating the two new additions to Pilot Training: @Firas Bashee and @Ben Carpenter! Firas will begin to move into his new role as IFR Flight Instructor over the next few weeks and will assist in this final push to get the course ready for release! He has been a part of the P1 mentoring team for several months and brings a wealth of real-world instructing experience to the table. To add to this, Firas has incredible passion for aviation and giving back to
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Staff Changes

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Pilot Training

The Flying Programme

Hi all! As many of us will know, the first few flights on the network are usually stressful and the amount of information can seem overwhelming. Behind the scenes, the Training Department has been considering the idea of creating a program to assist new members in transitioning into flying on the network. Before going ahead and developing/launching the programme, we want to hear the thoughts of the community! We kindly ask that you read through the below information and then fi
Darren Hill

Darren Hill in Pilot Training

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Staff Changes

New Pilot Training Manager

Good afternoon! Please join me in congratulating @Darren Hill as he takes on his new role as Pilot Training Manager. Darren has been an active mentor in the training department for 18 months and took on the role of VFR Flight Instructor last spring. He has played a vital role in helping us obtain our approval for the new P1 PPL(A) rating and without a doubt, has the motivation and skill to carry VATSIM UK's Pilot Training into the future. Over the next few month Darren will be wor
Daniel Crookes

Daniel Crookes in Staff Changes

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