About Us

Our mission: To educate, enable, inspire and motivate our student pilots to achieve their aviation goals

Merseyflight is a Civil Aviation Authority approved pilot training organisation. We are the place to come whether you are looking for a one-off experience or have your sights set on a career flying aeroplanes.

Read our mission statement

Meet the team

Merseyflight’s strength is in it’s people. We invest in experienced, career instructors in order to deliver the highest quality, best value flight training. If you want to be a safe, knowledgeable and competent aviator then you’re in the right hands.

Tania Prior

Flight Instructor & Examiner

Neil Hazelhurst

Flight Instructor

Neil Williams

Flight Instructor

Sophie Penk

Operations Assistant

Callum Clarke

Flight Instructor

Lewis Davies

Flight Instructor

Richard Parfect

Flight Instructor

Angus Whyte

Flight Examiner

Darren Draper

Flight Instructor

Jim Ellis

Flight Instructor

Steve Dooley

Flight Instructor & Examiner

Ian Murphy

Flight Instructor & Examiner

Andy Hogarth

Flight Instructor

Primo Lonzardi

Flight Instructor & Examiner

Our training fleet

Merseyflight operates a fleet of Piper PA-38 Tomahawk and Piper PA-28 Cherokee aircraft.

Piper PA-38 “Tomahawk”

The Piper PA-38 Tomahawk is a two-seat, single engined aircraft designed and built specifically to teach people to fly.

It is a comparatively spacious aircraft with good all-round visibility and aerodynamics that foster good flying skills.

During the design phase of the Tomahawk, Piper consulted the flight training community in order to develop this class-leading training aircraft.

Piper PA-28 “Cherokee”

The Piper PA-28 Cherokee is the larger sibling of the Tomahawk.

The Cherokee is a ‘two plus two’ seater which also makes an excellent alternative training aircraft with a greater weight lifting ability.

The Cherokee variation of the PA-28 has a maximum landing weight of under a tonne which attracts only the same, cheaper landing fees as the Tomahawk.

Piper PA-28 “Warrior”

The Warrior variant of our PA-28 fleet is a genuine 4 seat aircraft with serious weight lifting ability and equipped for IFR flight.

Fitted with a Garmin GNS430 and twin G5 instruments to give a ‘glass cockpit’ feel, the Warrior is a ‘going places’ machine.

Comfortable and very capable, our flagship “Bravo Papa” is a strong favourite with both private hire and student pilots alike.

Our home

Merseyflight are based at Hawarden (Chester) airport.

Hawarden (Chester) Airport

Home of Airbus UK and the iconic A300-600ST Beluga ‘Super Transport’ aircraft. With hard runways, numerous instrument approach facilities and Air Traffic Control facilities, our base offers year-round flying in a professional environment. Students flying with Merseyflight can now benefit from the substantial advantages afforded by flying from Hawarden.

Visit Hawarden Airport

Cheaper landing fees

Landing and circuit training fees at Hawarden are approximately half the cost of those at Liverpool, which translates into a saving of over £1000 on the overall cost of a PPL course.

More training for your money

With no airspace transits required, flight training from our Hawarden base represents significantly better value for money and improves our student’s chances of completing their PPL in minimum hours, potentially saving over £2000 on the overall cost of a PPL course.

Superior visitor facilities

In contrast to the limited facilities available at the Liverpool General Aviation site, Hawarden offers numerous visitor facilities; the Chocks Away diner – a hidden gem of a restaurant with a runway view, a secure viewing park with outside seating and a children’s playground, free parking and public conveniences.

Visit Chocks Away

Visit Aviation Park Group

Merseyflight is located at Aviation Park, CH4 0GZ; 4 miles SW of Chester, approximately 45 minutes from Manchester and 25 minutes from Liverpool.

On arrival at Aviation Park you will need to sign in at the security gate – Just let them know you are visiting Merseyflight.

Once through security, follow the signs for the Chocks Away Diner. Park in the free car park and enter the General Aviation Centre main entrance. Turn immediately left and follow the perimeter of the diner, bearing to the right, where you will find the flying school entrance.

Please note that only participants are allowed in the flying school. Accompanying guests can either relax in the diner or watch from the outside viewing park.

What3Words address for the General Aviation Centre main entrance:

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What3Words address for the Merseyflight flying school main entrance:

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Don’t just take our word for it…

Merseyflight Air Training School

4.9

Based on 48 reviews

review us on

Darren Thornton

18:29 28 Sep 23

Just want to share what a great experience my 16 yr old son had today on a flying lesson guided by Jim... top guy... explained everything clearly to him and myself before taking him up up and away, I managed to track the flight on my flight tracker app so could see it wasn't just some circles around the airfield. Think I know what I want for my birthday now. Great cafe next door also, top quality food.

John Maxwell

15:49 25 Sep 23

An outstanding Flying School, very professional yet comfortable atmosphere, well maintained aircraft and excellent Instructors.I would have no hesitation in recommending Merseyflight, in fact If you want to learn to fly then you must visit the team there.

fellsteruk

19:02 20 Apr 21

Started flying with these guys late last summer and enjoying every minute of it. The instructors are great and take their time to explain each exercise whilst building your confidence in flying. All the aircraft are very well maintained and your safety is paramount at Merseyflight. It’s a pleasure to fly with these guys, I only wish I could spend more time flying than just thinking about it.If you’re thinking of flying or buying a voucher, stop thinking and get it booked :)EDIT: Merseyflight has now moved to Hawarden airport which offers a step up in facilities, the building and office are nice and best of all onsite cafe/restaurant. Whilst Hawarden has all the benefits of a full ATC but much quieter than Liverpool which is a real treat not to mention no CAS to get out of first before you can enjoy a lesson.Come visit, come fly you won’t be disappointed!!

Tom F

20:18 18 Mar 20

I always recommend Merseyflight to anyone interested in learning to fly. I gained my PPL and Night Rating with them and the instruction throughout was top class. The aircraft were always in great condition and nothing was ever too much to ask. 5 stars! If you're considering learning to fly, give them a call and get yourself a trial lesson. You won't regret it!

Scott Cole

20:28 16 Mar 20

Would absolutely recommend Merseyflight for anyone looking for lessons themselves or to give someone a lesson as a gift. I completed my Private Pilot License here and if I had to do it all over again I'd still choose Merseyflight.All the instructors are highly professional, very knowledgeable and have a lot of patience. Their aircraft have been very well maintained and at no cost spared.I took this pic while flying over Llandudno, gaining my final solo hours before my skill test.

John Walsh

20:05 15 Mar 20

First class flying school.. staff are so friendly and helpful. Wouldn’t go with anyone else.. 👍

Ash Heath

08:37 15 Mar 20

Training for my private pilots license at MerseyFlight has been an absolute pleasure. I live in Stoke-on-Trent but the journey up the M6 each time has been a worthwhile one. The instruction and aircraft are both first class and I can not recommend Neil and the team enough. There is something about learning at an airport within controlled airspace, I feel it gives you that extra edge and confidence. Take a trial lesson... that’s how my journey began.

Peter Macdonald

19:04 14 Mar 20

Learnt to fly with Merseyflight and got my LAPL pilots licence. All the instructors are extremely good and guide you through the whole experience, all very friendly. I now rent aircraft from them at a very reasonable rate.Even if you don't think you will want to do a whole flying course I would highly recommend a trial flight with them. Its surprising how "hands on" you are even on a trial flight and if you decide to continue to learn to fly that trial flight time counts towards your licence.Highly recommend, flying up the Mersey past the Liver buildings is an experience you'll never forget!!

Owen Whittall

12:33 22 Jul 19

Fantastic instructors and a nice place. Most importantly you can get booked in very soon so there aren’t many long waits for your next flight. Would highly recommend!

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The Merseyflight Mission

About Us

Meet the team

Tania Prior

Neil Hazelhurst

Neil Williams

Sophie Penk

Callum Clarke

Lewis Davies

Richard Parfect

Angus Whyte

Darren Draper

Jim Ellis

Steve Dooley

Ian Murphy

Andy Hogarth

Primo Lonzardi

Our training fleet

Piper PA-38 “Tomahawk”

Piper PA-28 “Cherokee”

Piper PA-28 “Warrior”

Our home

Hawarden (Chester) Airport

Cheaper landing fees

More training for your money

Superior visitor facilities

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Our Mission

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