In this guide, we will discuss the best aeroclubs in Bedfordshire that you can fly to from Sherburn. We will also take a look at the best practices to adopt when making light aircraft trips to other aeroclubs and explore the role of aeroclubs in aviation.
Sherburn, Elmet is conveniently located, and private pilots can easily access a number of great aero clubs to either visit for aviation events or just to network with fellow pilots!
Bedfordshire has a rich history in aviation, particularly in the case of Cardington Airfield (previously RAF Cardington), which was known for its fleet of airships and balloons. Today, Bedfordshire continues to take aviation forward and you can find several great aero clubs in the region.
In this guide, we will discuss the best aeroclubs in Bedfordshire that you can fly to from Sherburn. We will also take a look at the best practices to adopt when making light aircraft trips to other aeroclubs and explore the role of aeroclubs in aviation.
Why Choose an Aero Club?
Aeroclubs are at the heart of aviation. No matter where you travel to, if there are operable planes in the region, then you will also likely find a range of aviation clubs! Aero clubs play a bigger role than being just a space for hangarage.
After the first successful flight by the Wright brothers in 1903, the interest in aviation skyrocketed. What was once a pipedream suddenly became a reality – and everyone wanted to be a part of this new and exciting field.
This is where aero clubs come in! Back then, there weren’t a lot of places for pilots to meet and gather, other than dusty and less-than-ideal “airstrips” that only served the purpose of providing a space for take-offs and landings. However, after World War I and the subsequent funding for aviation technology, things started to change for the better.
The scraped parts leftover from the War played an important role in developing the local aviation industry. Engineers and enthusiasts started to build their own aircraft from these parts. This proved to be a great strategy because it lowered costs and allowed small communities to introduce aviation and attract future pilots!
Just a decade after Kitty Hawk’s first flight, there were already several aero clubs around the region. Aero clubs slowly evolved from being just hangar spaces to full-fledged community spaces for private and commercial pilots.
Aeroclubs also started to invest heavily in supporting services in aviation such as providing flight training services, engineering services, and even investing in aviation events and expositions.
Today, aeroclubs are known for their “all-in-one” business model where aviators can find everything that they need for training and networking under one roof.
Here are some of the things that modern aeroclubs are known for:
Flight Training
This is the core operation of any modern aero club. Flight training is an essential part of any flight school and that is why aero clubs are given so much importance in aviation. Great aero clubs, like Sherburn Aero Club, are equipped to produce highly capable pilots who go on to either become excellent commercial pilots or flight instructors.
Flight schools provide comprehensive training services that include both theoretical and practical training. Some flight schools may even provide simulation training, which is an extremely important aspect of training for commercial pilots.
Cost-Saving Advantages
Flying planes is an expensive hobby. However, thanks to flight schools, aviation has become more affordable than ever. Today, you can take experience flights, like the ones offered at Sherburn, for just £112 in a 2-seater aircraft or from £134 in a 4-seater aircraft.
The reason why these services are affordable is because aeroclubs operate at a large scale and they are able to bring the price down by dividing the total cost to a large number of students. This way, instead of a few paying more, aero clubs allow a large group of people to pay less!
Aeroclubs also offer dedicated hangarage services. This way, even if you have your own private aircraft, you can use the services at any aeroclub to store your aircraft with ease. Aero clubs also provide financing options and may even provide special discounts to younger prospects to incentivise aviation.
Community Benefits
As mentioned above, aero clubs provide a safe space for like-minded people to meet and explore aviation together. Apart from its core operations, the aviation industry heavily relies on aero clubs to drive public interest in aviation. This is why the Civil Aviation Authority and other important institutions in aviation regularly partner with popular aeroclubs to host events and seminars.
Try visiting an aviation expo to see what these clubs have to offer! You will usually find a range of activities ranging from competitive air events to informative seminars, and even aerobatics! These activities help inspire the next generation of pilots and drive the interest in aviation forward.
Why Travel to Other Aero Clubs?
Aero clubs are a beacon for everyone who loves aviation and, since humility, respect, and growth are at the heart of this industry, you can easily visit any aero club and expect to find a friendly and cooperative environment.
Many pilots who enrol at one aero club may also make frequent trips to other clubs either to connect with other pilots or to attend various events. Networking is an incredibly important part of aviation! Think about it, pilots get to travel a lot, and they usually travel to various places and meet new people. So, it behoves a pilot to expand their network so that they can stay connected to the aviation community; and if they ever run into trouble, they can use their network to get out of tough situations!
Furthermore, aero clubs have a fleet of different aircraft. If you wish to fly an aircraft that is not available at your own club, then you might want to travel to another club to either take an experience flight or try out a different fleet of aircraft yourself!
However, it is important that you learn a few best practices before going to any aero club. Here are some of the most important tips to keep in mind:
Always Check Availability
Even though aero clubs welcome other pilots, not every aeroclub is designed to accommodate visiting pilots! The fact is that some aero clubs are either too small or may not have the necessary permits to allow for visitors from other flight schools.
The best way to get around this problem is to contact the flight schools that you want to visit beforehand before taking off. Furthermore, it is a good idea to keep in mind the operational timings and the high-traffic timings of the club that you intend to visit.
Create a comprehensive flight plan and highlight all the places that you want to visit. This way, you can plan alternative routes, and even figure out the landing fee for budgeting purposes.
Not Every Aero Club is Built the Same
Some aero clubs are privately owned, which means that you may have to obtain permission before you land. Always acquaint yourself with the practices of an aero club and respect their rules. For example, some aero clubs may have strict Noise Abatement Procedures which will have to be complied with by all pilots.
Also, you may need to keep your expectations in check too. For example, not every aero club has the same amenities. Aero clubs with more resources may go all out and provide separate seating spaces, a café, and a relaxation or common area for pilots to sit and chat – but smaller aero clubs with a tighter budget may not offer these amenities. This is why it is important that visiting pilots be respectful and on their best behaviour since they will also be representing their club!
Make a Comprehensive Plan
Flight plans are a crucial part of any pilot’s job. A flight plan covers all the particulars of your trip which includes information about the terrain, the weather on the day that you want to travel, the fuel costs, fuel calculations, aircraft maintenance, route planning, and more. The more comprehensive your flight plan, the less risk you have of making mistakes!
A great flight plan allows pilots to fly worry-free. For example, if you run into an emergency restricted airspace, then you can easily reroute your plane according to your route plan. This way you can end up saving fuel costs and can smoothly execute your trip without any issues.
Best Aero Clubs in Bedfordshire to Fly to From Sherburn
Now that you know all about aero clubs and the best practices to keep in mind before flying to another club, here are the best aero clubs in Bedfordshire that you can fly to from Sherburn, Elmet:
London Glider Club
Located in Dunstable Downs, The London Glider Club (LGC) is known for its premier training services and its fleet of diverse gliders. Even experienced pilots would agree that flying a glider is a completely different and “freeing” experience than flying regular or larger aircraft.
If you wish to experience gliders, then we highly recommend that you visit the LGC. This club has been around for a very long time and is also conveniently located on the stunning Dunstable Downs!
Cranfield Flying School
Cranfield Flying School is situated at Cranfield Airport. It is one of the longest-established pilot training centres at the airport. The school is known for its welcoming atmosphere and its community of extremely passionate aviation enthusiasts. You can expect to find a full range of amenities here!
The school also provides access to beautiful landscapes so you can also take relaxing trips from the airport! Please make sure that you call the club beforehand to make sure that they have the availability on the day that you plan to travel.
Bedford Aerodrome
Bedford Aerodrome is an airfield owned and operated by MotorSport Vision Ltd (MSV). It is one of the most comprehensive aerodromes in the region. Visiting pilots will normally be provided with a handling service and VIP shuttle to and from the circuit complex. However, it is important that you call and check for availability beforehand.
The best way to avoid confusion and penalties is to always check the website for the aeroclub (if available), this way you can quickly acquaint yourself with the specific procedures of the aeroclub.
Flights and Dreams
Located in Wildflower Way, Bedford, the Flight and Dreams Aero Club is perhaps one of the friendliest aviation clubs in the region.
It is a registered training facility that specialises in flight instruction in the Pitts model S2C. This club is also based in Cranfield and they are known to welcome pilots from all walks of life. Flights and Dreams is also an excellent club for networking, so if you ever plan to fly to Bedfordshire, make sure that you keep this small but prospering flight club in your flight plan!
Henlow Flying Club
Henlow Flying Club is located at Henlow Camp, Central Bedfordshire. It is a small but charming aero club that also happens to be the only civilian flying club on the airfield. The club offers three large runways and a very friendly, and welcoming environment. Just like the other clubs, we highly recommend that you call in to check their availability and operating timings to avoid any problems while traveling.
Billins Air Services
Billins Air Services is yet another great aero club that is also located in Cranfield. The club is five minutes from junctions 13 or 14 on the M1 at the airport.
Despite their relatively small size, they offer a range of flight training services that include night rating, instrument training, Twin Engine Rating, and more. Billins Air Services also offers a cosy and friendly environment for everyone. Since this club is also located in Cranfield Airport, you can expect it to have the same access to the stunning landscape as other flight schools in the area!
WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB
Sherburn Aero Club, which has been operational since 1964, is the ideal place for most of your training and flying needs. It is one of the largest flying clubs in the North of England and also one of the largest in the country.
If you wish to begin your career in aviation or wish to take to the skies as a hobby, Sherburn’s flight training school offers private and commercial licences, along with pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward.
For those who wish to experience the thrill of a flight for fun or to help fuel their aviation dreams, Sherburn offers experience flights for the newbie, as well as the veteran in various types of light aircraft.
With a large fleet of new aircraft and an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse, we cater to brand-new flyers who have just started their journey to the skies, as well as seasoned flyers who have been operating aircraft for decades.
The flight experience option is also available for people who wish to take to the skies for special occasions, even if they aren’t into aviation in the long run.
Sherburn offers a dedicated day-long Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL) course for those wishing to get the certification, running the first Sunday of every month.
In addition to that, if you are looking for a hangarage for your own aircraft, need servicing or repairs, want to buy a new aircraft or aviation equipment, or are just looking to enjoy and watch the aircraft, Sherburn Aero Club is the place to be.
Call us at 01977 682 674, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on light aircraft, training requirements, fee structure, licencing procedures, as well as experience flights and pilot training at Sherburn.
Photo by Terence Burke on Unsplash
