Now flying from two bases, Sywell & Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green·Call 02477 220 399

A small, friendly school with a big reputation

We strive to offer commercial-school levels of professionalism and structure, within a friendly club environment, with a no-nonsense approach to make sure you get the best advice and support available.

Our story

One stop shop for
your pilot's licence

Almat Flying Academy is a small, friendly flying school and club. With great airport facilities for trainee pilots, we offer a fantastic range of pilot training courses suited to your specific needs, from a first trial lesson right through to a commercial career.

We're a one-stop shop for PPL & NPPL licence training, underpinned by a fantastic team of instructors and examiners, including our own in-house Aeromedical Examiner. Our instructors are fully qualified commercial pilots, and many still fly commercially, coming to teach with us because they love it.

That mix of commercial expertise and genuine, patient care is what our students talk about most. As one put it, we're the school that treats you like a person, not "a wallet with legs".

4.8 ★Rated 4.8 out of 5 across 114 Google reviews
15

Instructors & examiners, many still flying commercially

2

Airfields · Sywell & Halfpenny Green

13,700

Flight hours flown by one of our instructors alone, across a 22-year airline career

Meet the team

Instructors who genuinely
want you to succeed

We have a core team of in-house instructors, plus examiners who work in commercial aviation and teach with us in their spare time. Collectively we hold a wide range of skills, experience and qualifications.

SK

Simon Kalas

Managing Director

Helped found the academy, driven by his passion for aviation. Holds a LAPL and flies any chance he gets.

SM

Steve Mason

Head of Training

Instructor & examiner for PPL, LAPL, FRTOL, Night, IR(R) and Flight Instructor ratings, and a CAA theory examiner.

GM

Glynn Matthews

Head of Operations

Oversees bookings and aircraft maintenance day to day, and is a PPL-holding pilot himself.

CL

Claire Leadbetter

Chief Flying Instructor

Instructs towards PPL, LAPL and the Night rating, and a favourite among our reviewers.

RS

Dr. Rob Simpson

Aeromedical Examiner

A keen pilot and AME, offering medical examinations for pilots and cabin crew on-site on Tuesdays.

DC

Derek Clews

Flight Instructor

Racked up 13,700 flight hours across a 22-year career flying for regional airlines. Also a CAA theory examiner.

DS

Dave Stapleton

Instructor & Examiner

Commercial pilot instructing and examining for LAPL, PPL, SEP, MEP, Night and IR(R) ratings.

MB

Mark Byrom

Instructor & Examiner

Instructor and examiner across LAPL, PPL, IR(R), SEP, MEP, Night and Aerobatics ratings.

PW

Phil Walker

Flight Instructor

A commercial 737 pilot who teaches LAPL & PPL, plus SEP and Night ratings, when not flying the line.

TB

Tom Berkley

Flight Instructor

Core-team instructor for PPL(A) and LAPL(A) plus Night and IR(R) ratings, and a CAA theory examiner.

AA

Ali Ashgar

Flight Instructor

A certified instructor with us for several years, teaching towards PPL(A) and LAPL(A).

PS

Piers Smerdon

Flight & FIC Instructor

Extensive instructional experience, able to instruct towards all our ratings and train future instructors.

WP

Will Pett

Flight Instructor

Joined in April 2022, teaching towards PPL(A), LAPL(A) and SEP ratings.

TN

Ted Needham-Williams

Flight Instructor

Joined in October 2022, teaching towards PPL(A), LAPL(A) and SEP ratings.

JC

James Cadman

Flight Instructor

Joined in July 2022, teaching towards PPL(A), LAPL(A) and SEP ratings.

Reviews

In our students'
own words

4.8
Based on 114 Google reviews
"The best flight school I've been to. Caring, considerate instructors who genuinely care about you as a human being… refreshing to deal with such kind and patient people."
EEshan M.Learn-to-fly student
"Just completed an NPPL with Almat. The instructors are amazing, they genuinely want you to succeed, and there's a variety of teaching styles to match how you learn. Thank you for making this dream a reality!"
MMatt A.NPPL graduate
"Absolutely first class trial lesson with Mark in the Cessna 172. Took over the controls after take-off, climbed to 3,000 feet, and even landed the aircraft. A truly memorable experience. Highly recommended."
SSuzanne D.Trial lesson
"We visited for a first flying lesson for our son, and it's safe to say we are all hooked. We were blown away by their quiet brilliance, professionalism and love for what they do. What a gem of a place."
LLeanne N.Family trial lesson
"They have kept my son in the air and nurtured him right to the end, where he now leaves only to finish his commercial pilot's licence. As a parent you can trust these not to keep milking your bank account."
SSharon E.Parent of a student pilot
"By far the best flying club I have ever flown with in England. Professional, friendly, and a genuine love for what they do."
GGraham H.Club member
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Join the friendliest
club in the sky

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