We have a large group of friendly instructors for NPPL(A), PPL(A), Night and IMC Ratings. Our instructors have thousands of hours experience teaching people like you to fly.
The PPL(A) license is the gold standard international license for flying light aircraft. You can fly a UK registered aircraft anywhere in the world. You’ll need a minimum of 40 hours training and an appropriate medical.
The NPPL(A) license permits you to fly aircraft within the UK with fewer training hours than the PPL(A). It has lesser medical requirements but won’t necessarily permit you to fly abroad.
With your PPL(A) or NPPL(A) you can add a Night Rating or IMC Rating.
The Night Rating permits you to fly aircraft at night which is a very rewarding experience, usually at an international standard airport like Blackpool.
The Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) Rating permits you to fly by instruments alone – so that’s in cloud or poor weather, including flying instrument approaches just like the commercial airliners do.
| Instructor | NPPL (A) | PPL (A) | Night Rating | IMC Rating |
| Tony Partakis (Head of Training) |
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| Phil Dobson (Deputy Head of Training) |
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| Mark Craine | |
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| Kate Reid | |
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| John Cheetham | |
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| Ian Hoolahan | |
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| Jim McBrinn | |
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| Cooky Amin | |
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| Richard Mawby | |
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| Jack Shaw | |
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| Steve Bell | |
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| Malcolm Smith | |
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| Kate Evans | |
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| Primo Lonzardi | |
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| Paul Kuiper | |
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| Oliver Gallimore | |
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| David Winterbottom | |
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| Alistair Feakin | |
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| Sean Shannon | |
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| Harry Manley | |
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| Ian Garratt | |
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| Vik Patel | |
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| John Maxwell | |
| Tony Partakis
Head of Training |
Phil Dobson
Deputy Head of Training |
Mark Craine |
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Photo coming soon |
Photo coming soon |
| Tony absolutely loves flying and has been instructing now for many years with over 12,000 hours in light aircraft.
Tony used to parachute jump in his spare time when he was younger. He enjoys chess and used to work in HR for the prison service so don’t surprised if uses them as navigational points of interest in your lessons! |
While still at school as an RAF cadet Phil obtained his glider pilot license and flew several times in Chipmunks.
Phil began instructing in August 2018. His other interests include walking, cycling, playing the piano and organ also singing with the Halle Choir where he recently got my 20 year service award.
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Biog coming soon |
| Kate Reid | John Cheetham | Ian Hoolahan |
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Photo coming soon |
| Kate started at the flying school when she was only 15, in between university at Sheffield and a job in audiology and she’s still with us today!
Kate has a 4 year old little boy, Leo and enjoys taking her dog Murphy out for walks (or he takes her these days). Kate is one of our full time instructors. |
John has toured Europe in light aircraft many times including trips to Tenerife and Crete. He has over 7000 hours flight time and been instructing for over 10 years at Barton. He’s also a CAA Examiner for the PPL(A). |
Biog coming soon |
| Jim McBrinn | Cooky Amin | Richard Mawby |
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Photo coming soon | Photo coming soon |
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With over 23,000 hours experience, Jim learnt to fly at Southampton in 1980, going on to instruct and gain his commercial license, ultimately retiring from Qatar Airways as a B777 captain. Recently mixing flying DHL B777s with LAC instructing, he now dedicates his time to his first love – light aircraft. |
Biog coming soon | Biog coming soon |
| Jack Shaw | Steve Bell | Malcolm Smith |
| Photo coming soon | Photo coming soon | Photo coming soon |
| Biog coming soon | Biog coming soon | Malcolm has had aviation in his blood having grown up near many RAF bases. He started gliding at University and obtained a PPL after that. He has flown all over the world on holidays and trips. He is a great believer that anyone can learn to fly. |
| Kate Evans | Primo Lonzardi | Paul Kuiper |
| Photo coming soon | Photo coming soon | Photo coming soon |
| Biog coming soon | Biog coming soon | Biog coming soon |
| Oliver Gallimore | David Winterbottom | Alistair Feakin |
| Photo coming soon | Photo coming soon | Photo coming soon |
| Biog coming soon | David started out in 1980 on a air cadet scholarship becoming an instructor in 1985. He is a weekend flight instructor with an interest in aviation history. | Biog coming soon |
| Sean Shannon | Harry Manley | Ian Garratt |
| Photo coming soon | Photo coming soon | Photo coming soon |
| Biog coming soon | Biog coming soon | Biog coming soon |
| Vik Patel | John Maxwell | |
| Photo coming soon | Photo coming soon | |
| Biog coming soon | Biog coming soon |
