Air Navigation & Trading Co Ltd

General information

Welcome to Air Navigation and Trading Company Limited,
Blackpool's original flying school (Established 1947) offering a wide range of general aviation services. As a family founded, owned and operated flying school we offer generations of experience in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

We take great pride in the unmatched quality and value of all the services we
offer, building a reputation for reliability, knowledge and passion for all
aspects of general aviation.

Air Navigation and Trading Company Limited was established on the sixteenth of June 1947. The company is owned and operated by the same family and has continuously offered a range of aviation products and services since its inception. In the early years the main business was public transport flying out of the company bases at Blackpool and Carlisle to the Isle of Man and privately chartered flights to other destinations across Europe and Scandinavia. We also bought and sold aircraft and aircraft spare parts and still do this today. Pleasure flying was carried out round the world famous Blackpool tower and also, whilst touring various air shows in the UK, we gave many people their first ever flight in an aeroplane! The company's fleet of De Havilland DH84 Dragon Rapides were used in this role until the late 1960s and one of the actual fleet (G-ACIT) can be seen today in the London science museum.

As flying became more popular and the demand for flying training increased, we developed the flying school. We have successfully provided training for thousands of people for pleasure and for those in pursuit of a flying career. Many of our former students now fly/did fly for the major airlines. We currently operate a fleet of general aviation aircraft out of our base airport Blackpool for Pilot training, Night Rating, IMC rating, aircraft hire and air experience flights/trial lessons. To support the company fleet of aircraft we have our own maintenance team who provide all required aircraft maintenance, repairs and upgrades ensuring our aircraft are kept in excellent condition. This service is also available to privately owned aircraft and other flying clubs and schools. We have bought and sold hundreds of aircraft so if you are considering buying or selling why not take advantage of our aircraft sales service. To support our flying school and hire customers we have a small but well stocked pilot shop and always keep a full range of books, charts, flight equipment and accessories at competitive prices!