What Happens If Your Previous Flying School Closed or Changed?

So, you started with your PPL training and your flying school closed, changed ownership, moved, or stopped operating entirely. Keep reading to find out more.

So, you started with your PPL training and your flying school closed, changed ownership, moved, or stopped operating entirely.

What do you do? Well, what you don’t do is lose hope!

Even if your old school closed, you do not lose the flying experience you gained. However, the issue here is with documentation. When the school closes, your goal should be to first recover or transfer your training records for your new school.

Read below to learn how:

Help, My Flight School Closed Down!

When the ship sinks, the captain usually makes sure that they get the logs before anything else.

Your logbook is the one thing that highlights your experience as a pilot-in-training, which is why you need to secure it as quickly as possible. The logbook is evidence of your flying experience and will be needed for your licence application. So, keep it updated and accurate as much as possible.

Your logged flying remains yours, even if the school closes, but you will need the following documentation to transfer to a new school:

• Your pilot logbook with the most up-to-date records
• Training records
• Instructor notes
• Completed exercises
• Solo flights
• Navigation exercises
• Theory exam records
• Medical documents

These documents will help your new instructor assess your current level without starting you from zero. With these documents, you can continue training from where you left off and transition easily.

Always remember, your previous hours and skills are still relevant, and they matter, but your instructor will first ensure that you are fully competent and safe before progressing.

What If the School Stopped Operations?

Believe it or not, this tends to happen, especially at smaller schools that are already struggling.

The good news is that even if the ATO (Approved Training Organisation) or DTO (Declared Training Organisation) closed completely, you should be able to recover your documents.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) advises that your training records be secured and retained by an independent body.

However, the CAA itself does not hold individual student training records, which is why you may need to contact:

• The liquidator/administrator (if the company entered insolvency)
• Former instructors (you can reach out to them personally)
• The organisation holding the school's records

We do not recommend that you rely on your own copies because some records need independent verification.

Take your time in reaching out to the responsible parties. You do not need to rush through the process. Only approach your new flight school when you have all the documents that you require in hand.

If there are other documents on the way, then you can share an electronic copy with your new school. However, you will have to take permission from the administration. In any case, your training will only begin when you have completed the documentation process and have fully registered at the new school.

What If the School Changed Ownership?

Changing owners isn’t a big deal compared to recovering documents from a school that has ceased operations.

The new operator, even under new management, will still have your student file, instructor reports, and training history.

You can draft a simple requisition request and have a transfer of your records to your new school.

All these things apply even if your previous school changed its name. However, you will need to make sure that the school still holds the records and that it remains a recognised UK training provider at the time of the name change.

Documentations To Keep in Hand

Aside from the official documentation, it is also a good idea to keep a copy of all your interactions with your previous school.

This includes keeping receipts/invoices, emails with instructors (especially if they have notes on your training), and exam confirmations.

You never know when you might need these for future reference.

What If Your Records Are Missing?

This is where issues can arise.

When switching schools (for whatever reason), you will be expected to transfer your old training record to the new school for a smoother transition.

If you don’t have some of the documents, then your file will be marked as incomplete or unverified.

In this case, you may need to work harder to contact the administration of your previous school.

If you cannot furnish the required documents, then you might need to do a flight assessment, repeat lessons, and reconfirm your skills.

All of this takes additional time and money.

However, the good news is that if you switch to a renowned flight school like Sherburn, you will never have to worry about these things again and just focus on your training.

When you have all these things in order, the faculty at Sherburn Aero Club will immediately identify where you are in the PPL syllabus and help you progress quickly.

Why Choose Sherburn Aero Club?

Sherburn Aero Club has been operational since 1964 and continues to pride itself on producing top-class pilots and offering top-notch aviation services.

The flying club opened a flight training school in the 1970s that offers private and commercial licences, along with pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward.

It is one of the largest flying clubs in the North of England and also one of the largest in the country. It is the ideal place for most of your training and flying needs, whether you are taking to the skies for an experience flight, starting your flying career, or have your own aircraft and are looking for hangarage.

Sherburn Aero Club’s fleet of aircraft includes the Piper PA-28 Cadet, the Piper PA-28 Warrior, and the Cessna 152 Aerobat (2-Seater). Major investments include an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse providing our members with a great environment while giving them the opportunity to pursue their love for flying.

Call us at 01977 682 674​​​, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on PPL licence requirements and what happens if your previous flying school closed or changed.

Photo by Alan Rostovtev on Unsplash