In this guide, we will dive deep into how students can pick the right flight school, a few best practices that you can keep in mind to make your trip better, and of course, a list of the best aero clubs in Durham!
Planning to visit Durham from Sherburn Aero Club? Then this guide is just for you. Durham does not only offer excellent aerial views but it is also home to a wide variety of friendly aero clubs. Durham pilots are considered to be one of the best in the region and since both Durham and Sherburn have a passionate aviation community, we think that pilots flying to Durham are going to have a grand time.
In this guide, we will dive deep into how students can pick the right flight school, a few best practices that you can keep in mind to make your trip better, and of course, a list of the best aero clubs in Durham!
Why Choose an Aero Club?
Aero clubs exist for multiple purposes. Apart from being a place where pilots learn how to fly, aero clubs also play the role of ambassadors of aviation. They are single-handedly the most important establishment that helps propel the interest in aviation.
As you can imagine, aviation is an expensive endeavour that not only requires a lot of time but also a lot of resources. Think about it, to become a pilot, you need to either own or rent a plane, then pay for an instructor, and also deal with engineering/hangarage issues. Not to mention, you would also require to be affiliated with the Civil Aviation Authority which is the central body that governs everything aviation in the country.
If you add up all these individual costs, then you would likely be looking at multiple figures – and if this was the only way to get into aviation, then we wouldn’t have as many pilots or a thriving aviation community as we do today.
This is why aero clubs exist! Aero clubs are usually run by multiple investors who pool their money and invest in capital expenditures to facilitate students. The business model of aero clubs is quite simple: They charge a variable fee depending on your training requirements and in return give students full access to all the amenities of the club.
This is a win-win situation for everyone and promotes a balanced ecosystem where aero clubs benefit from an increased interest in aviation, and students benefit by learning to become pilots and possibly gaining new career opportunities.
So, if you want to learn how to fly, then an aero club is your best bet due to its extensive experience and services. However, picking a flight school can be challenging!
How to Pick the Right Flight School
Not all flight schools are made the same. While every flight school provides more or less the same type of services, they can vary quite a lot when it comes to their experience and overall benefits.
For example, some flight schools may operate on a smaller scale, which means that they might take on a more no-frills approach to pilot training. These schools usually put a lot of emphasis on trainers and are generally more affordable, however, they may lack a few key amenities like a common area, café, and the opportunity to host aviation-related events.
Some smaller aviation schools can also operate out of existing airfields and airports. This is also an excellent choice for most people because they can use the shared amenities and get the benefit of learning from highly experienced flight instructors.
On the other hand, you can also find several full-fledged flight schools that operate independently. In other words, these flight schools may be built on a separate area of land and have their own independent aviation infrastructure. These schools are usually seen as premium establishments where you get access to all the amenities and a campus-like environment for students.
So, which one should you pick?
There is no right answer to this question. Every student’s needs and financial standing is different which is why the decision for picking a flight school must come down to your personal needs.
To make things easier, we have designed a student’s guide that you can use to help you pick the right school for your needs:
Private Pilot Vs. Commercial Pilot Training
The first thing that you need to decide is whether you want to be a private or a commercial pilot. Both types get to fly planes, but they can vary in their training requirements, fee structure, and training time.
For most people, obtaining a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) is ideal because this licence allows students to step into the world of aviation without committing to it full-time. Not only can you pursue aviation as a hobby with this licence, but you can also fast-track your way into the cockpit due to the generally lesser training requirements for this pilot programme.
A Private Pilot Licence is more suited for aviation enthusiasts who want the thrill of flying without the expectation of using their skills to earn. Private pilots get to fly light aircraft that are used for non-commercial purposes and most people find light aircraft to be more than enough for their aviation needs.
However, if you expect to make a living in aviation, then you will have to pursue a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). This pilot licence allows you to fly larger passenger or cargo aircraft. These are the pilots that you usually see coming out of passenger commercial planes at airports. Commercial pilots are typically handsomely paid and enjoy a wide variety of perks – but becoming a commercial pilot isn’t as easy as becoming a private pilot.
In order to obtain a Commercial Pilot Licence, you must complete more in-depth training and devote a big chunk of your time to aviation. This means that not only will you have to pay more, but you might also not get the time to pursue other opportunities at the same time.
The payoff for becoming a CPL is great, but if you don’t want to pursue aviation full-time or if you don’t have a lot of resources to invest in a Commercial Pilot Licence, then we recommend that you begin with a Private Pilot Licence.
A great advantage of obtaining a PPL first is that you can fully experience the world of aviation and then decide later whether you want to train further or keep aviation as a hobby.
Keep Finances in Mind
As we mentioned above, aviation can be quite costly, even with the help of aero clubs, learning how to fly is still a relatively expensive hobby. This is why we recommend that you begin by planning out your budget.
Every flight school has a different fee structure but there are nearly consistent upper and lower limits for every flight school. We recommend that you pick the school that offers the best fee structure for the type of licence that you want to pursue.
For Commercial Pilot Programmes, you may want to stick with larger schools that have the necessary faculty and facilities to support your training. These schools usually come with a hefty training fee, but you may also find some schools that offer extensive financial assistance to students.
Scholarship programs and student aids are an important part of aviation because they help students to realise their dreams! So, even if you don’t fully have the means to invest in a Commercial Pilot Licence, you still have a chance to enrol at a larger school on financial aid.
Private Pilot Programmes, on the other hand, are a bit less demanding. While private pilots also need to go through extensive theoretical and practical training, the fee structure for Private Pilot Licences is usually more relaxed.
The best part is that you can also choose your training schedule depending on your needs – and if you don’t have the means to pay for your training in full, then you can also similarly apply for financial aid.
Some flight schools may also offer discounts! For example, flight schools typically provide an incentive to younger pilots by giving them a discount. You can also find occasional discounts depending on the time of year.
Look for the Right Facilities and Amenities
Once you have decided on the type of licence you want to pursue and determined your finances, it is time to start picking schools using the method of elimination.
We recommend that you pick at least five schools that best fit your licence and financial requirements. Then look for the right type of facilities and amenities in each school.
Every flight school offers various services. In the case of Commercial Pilot Training, you would want to enrol in a school that is certified to train for a CPL. This is important because CPL training also requires simulator training. Not every school can afford a state-of-the-art simulator which is why you will have to pick a school that provides a comprehensive list of services.
Check out the available fleet too. Light aircraft are the default choice for every flight school due to their versatility. These planes are usually used by both private and commercial pilots. However, not every flight school offers the same fleet of aircraft.
If you want to train on a wide variety of aircraft, then you will have to adjust your school selection accordingly. Conversely, if you are okay with training on limited aircraft for a simple Private Pilot Licence or a Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL), then you can choose from the many available small-scale flight schools.
Once you have picked the best flight schools using the method of elimination, you should be left with at least 2-3 choices. The best way to pick the right flight school would be to visit them in person and then make a final decision!
Best Aero Clubs in Durham to Fly to From Sherburn
Now that you know the importance of aero clubs and how to pick the right aeroclub for your needs, let’s take a look at the best aero clubs in Durham! Here are our top picks:
Northeast Flying Club
Located inside Shotton Airfield, Northeast Flying Club is one of the best flight schools in Durham due to its combination of competitive pricing and excellent flight instructors. Whether it is private pilot training or casual LAPL training, you can expect this flight school to fit the needs of every beginner and professional pilot.
The flight school is ideally located in Durham and offers access to the best of what the terrain has to offer. Not only can you glide across the skies in typically great weather conditions, but you can also visit nearby geographical features from this flight school!
Fishburn Airfield
Located in the heart of County Durham near the village of Sedgefield, Fishburn Airfield is one of the coolest aviation establishments in Durham. Whether it is light aircraft training, helicopter training, or air events, Fishburn Airfield truly is a one-stop solution for everything related to aviation.
The best part is that this flight club also has a high-quality café where pilots can meet and network freely! We recommend that you call in advance and book your arrival. As a general rule of thumb, always ask for specific landing or approach policies to avoid issues.
Durham Flight Centre
Durham Flight Centre (DFC) is one of the premier flight schools in Durham. Not only does this school provide extensive training services, but it is also a great place for pilots to meet and share experiences. This flight school offers competitive prices and is an excellent place for take-offs due to its rich surroundings.
FlightGest Academy
FlightGest Academy is a full-fledged flight school that operates out of Raleigh Durham Intl Airport. This flight school is more than capable of handling the needs of both beginners and even highly experienced pilots. With services ranging from Simulator Training to engineering services, and more, FlightGest Academy has to be one of the top places for people to learn how to fly in Durham.
Shotton Airfield
Built on a large area, this airfield is the destination for any private pilot visiting from around the region. Shotton Airfield is home to flight schools and plenty of aviation experiences. It is one of the most accessible and friendliest aviation spots for pilots. If you have been wanting to visit Durham, then we recommend making a stop here!
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 David Ross on Unsplash
