Meet the Team
At Southend Flying Club we take great pleasure in the dedication and support our instructors offer. We are always looking to tailor and provide a unique experience from Trial Lessons to Commercial Training including renewals.
Danny Doran
Head of Training
Danny is a very experienced instructor and examiner with 5000+ hours over 34 years, 28 of those examining. Danny examines LAPL, PPL, Multi Engine, IMC/IR(r), ground exams. A truly comprehensive instructor. His favourite aircraft is a Dragon Rapide.


Peter Shorter
Chief Flying Instrutor
Peter has been flying at Southend Flying Club for over 15 years. His first lesson at the Club was a birthday present with a trial lesson voucher, so he blames his family for all of this! Now with 7000+ instructing hours he is qualified to teach all of the courses. Peter exams LAPL, PPL, IMC/IR(r), ground exams, FRTOL and is a Flight Instructor Examiner (FIE).
Paul Griggs
Deputy Chief Flying Instructor
Paul Griggs is Southend Flying Clubs longest serving instructor of over 37 years. He has accumulated 4000+ flying hours and still has the same enthusiasm for flying as he did when he was learning all those years ago. Paul teaches the Private Licence Course, night ratings and the IMC/IR(r) rating as well as being a ground examiner.


Scott Sanger
Flying Instructor
Scott has been instructing for 2000+ hours, his first flight was in an Ikarus C42 microlight. He keeps busy primarily looking after Private Pilot Licence students and teaching night ratings and is a ground examiner.
Lewis Cole
Flying Instructor
Lewis has been working part time at Southend Flying Club for eight years with nearly 1000+ hours he works mainly on a Sunday and he looks after students and trial lessons alike. His favourite airfield to fly to is the Isle of Arran.


Peter Preston
Managing Director
Peter Preston has co-owned and managed Southend Flying Club since 1985. Often found laughing and joking with the staff, club members and guests, you can be assured of a friendly welcome when met by Peter at the club door.