HAMPSHIRE'S top flying school is facing a turbulent future after being told to move its planes out of Southampton International Airport.

Solent Flight Ltd, one of the busiest pilot training centres in the country, has been given a deadline of May 1 to remove its five aircraft. Airport bosses have blamed a huge increase in scheduled flights for the eviction.

The decision comes as a blow to the flying school, which has grown from a one man band in 1986 to an award-winning club with more than 250 members.

Although it can still use the airport runway and operate from its present offices, Solent Flight will no longer be able to keep aircraft parked there for long periods of time.

Solent Flight Ltd managing director, Andrew Temple, said: "It is disappointing that we have to make way for the airlines after we have always been a good resident for the airport.

"But we are in negotiations to move to an airfield nearby, which will allow us to provide an even better flight school for our customers."

Mr Temple said the flight school was choosing to look to the future and he wants to reassure club members and customers that everything will be done to keep the school flying high while negotiations for a new base are under way.

"We are seeing this as an opportunity to become even stronger and look forward to continuing our high level of training and service for our loyal members at general aviation-friendly airfields," he said.

Mr Temple said the school has just had its busiest January to date, with more people looking to the skies over Hampshire for recreational flights and pilot training.

"It's sad that there will be no more recreational flying based at Southampton Airport. R J Mitchell would probably be turning in his grave," he said.

Flying school member Carl Lycett, 43, from Titchfield Common, said: "I feel really disappointed. I have been flying here for more than five years.

"I fly all over Europe with the school and feel proud to say that I have flown from Southampton International Airport, but obviously I won't be able to do that any more."

Fellow member Graham Clarke, 46, from Barton on Sea, said: "I'm pretty disgusted. I spent ages trying to find a flying school that I felt comfortable with. Part of the benefit of flying here is that you fly with larger aircraft around and proper procedures. The city is losing a great facility."

The airport's marketing manager, Patrick Alexander, told the Daily Echo: "I can confirm that Southamp-ton Airport has advised Solent Flight that it will not be able to base its aircraft at the airport for long periods after May 1, 2005.

"However, the flying school is able to continue to operate into and out of Southampton Airport and use airport office accommodation, and it is allowed to park its aircraft for short periods.

"We are very sorry to have to make this decision but it is due to the limited space at Southampton Airport and the commercial growth we have experienced."