In this guide, we will cover how young pilots can pick the right flight school, how to plan the perfect short-distance trips, and a list of the best aero clubs in Lincolnshire to fly to from Sherburn.
Finding the right aero club in Lincolnshire to fly to from Sherburn? Then this guide is just for you!
Lincolnshire is located just around 100 miles from Sherburn making it an excellent short-distance flight for private pilots. Known for its diverse range of aero clubs and prospering pilot community, Lincolnshire is perhaps the best place to visit for leisure flying.
In this guide, we will cover how young pilots can pick the right flight school, how to plan the perfect short-distance trips, and a list of the best aero clubs in Lincolnshire to fly to from Sherburn.
Enrolling in Aero Clubs – Starting with the Right School
Aero clubs are not just a place for students to learn how to fly, they are also a beacon for all private pilots where they can meet up and enjoy thrilling flights together.
One of the defining features of aero clubs is how they help build a strong community in the aviation industry. Without these aero clubs, the aviation industry would surely struggle to find great pilots because the airline industry depends on top-tier aero clubs to churn out highly trained pilots every year.
But with so many aero clubs around, how does one pick the right school to begin with?
Here is a guide to help you pick the right flight school for your needs:
List your Priorities.
The first thing that every pilot should think about is their expectations from their flight programme.
Every flight programme is different. Some are aimed at providing just enough training to allow pilots to fly light aircraft for leisure purposes while others are more in-depth and allow pilots to build an aviation career.
There are three main types of flight programmes:
- The first is the Private Pilot License (PPL) programme which allows pilots to take up aviation as a hobby. With a private pilot license, pilots can rent light aircraft and fly planes for recreational purposes.
A Private Pilot License is often the best choice for people who either don’t have the time for additional training or for people who aren’t looking to earn from aviation. This type of programme has both extensive ground and flight training but compared to commercial flight training, you will find a private pilot license to be more attainable and financially viable.
Flight training hours for a PPL in the UK typically range from 45 to 50 hours, including both dual and solo flight time. Apart from flight training, private pilots are also expected to perform well in ground training that covers various subjects such as meteorology, aerodynamics, human and aircraft limitations, and much more.
Private Pilot training also requires a thorough medical checkup to screen for health issues that may hinder the pilot’s ability to operate an aircraft.
Once you have completed all the license requirements, you will then apply for a license, and if everything goes well, you will be issued a Private Pilot License from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
- The second most popular flight programme is geared toward pilots who want to build an aviation career.
A Commercial Pilot License (CPL) allows pilots to operate large passenger or cargo planes. This license also enables pilots to earn from other means in aviation, like freelancing activities such as aerial surveying, aerial photography, and the like.
A Commercial Pilot License requires detailed training sessions. Both private and commercial pilot training share more or less the same training modules apart from a few additional modules required for commercial flight training.
On average, commercial pilot training requires a minimum of 150 hours of total flight time. This also includes training time in simulators where pilots are trained for various emergency procedures.
Commercial pilots are often well-compensated and can progress fairly easily in their careers if they are consistent and talented. If a student shows promise early in their training and maintains an exceptional record, then it is also common for airliners to offer them jobs before they even graduate.
Commercial pilots can fly both large and small planes, and while private pilots often fly under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), commercial pilots can fly in day and nighttime, and even in bad weather, provided that their aircraft has all the necessary instruments.
- Another popular type of flight programme is the Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) programme which is specifically made for people who only want to experience the thrills of aviation without investing a lot of time and resources in flight training.
A LAPL has even fewer training requirements than a traditional private pilot license programme. This means that everyday folks can train on their own schedule and fly planes as soon as they meet the minimum training requirements.
Of course, this type of programme has a lot of restrictions on when and how the pilots can fly – but it is still a popular training programme for most regular folks that don’t want to fully commit to aviation.
Once you have picked the right training requirements for your needs, you can move on to the other factors required to pick the right flight school.
Using the Process of Elimination
We recommend that you make a list of all the aero clubs in your vicinity and order the aero clubs according to your programme needs. Keep in mind that not every aero club offers commercial pilot training.
Since commercial pilot training requires additional training modules such as simulator training, you will need to make sure that the club has everything that you need for your training programme.
We also recommend sorting the clubs according to pricing. Aero clubs can be quite competitive, especially in areas where there are already a lot of clubs competing for students.
Check the pricing for each club to make sure that they suit your budgeting needs. If you have additional requirements such as a diversity of aircraft, then we suggest that you check out the fleet offered by the club.
Every flight club has different aircraft, but only a few comprehensive clubs, like Sherburn Aero Club, offer various aircraft for training needs, which also include aerobatic training!
Furthermore, if you have a list of amenities that you require from the club, like a café or a common hall, then add it to the list and use the process of elimination to figure out the top three schools that fit all your needs.
Visit Top Flight Schools
Researching will only take you so far. If you already have a top three list of the top-flight schools that fit your criteria, then it's time to go for a visit!
Visiting a flight school in person will help you make a more informed decision. This way you can not only explore the campus, but you can also find out the reviews of the school from students already enrolled at the club.
This is an excellent way to gauge the suitability of a flight school. We recommend that you also meet the instructors!
Instructors are the life and blood of any flight school. No matter how many amenities a school offers, if it doesn’t have a panel of highly trained instructors, then you are not going to get a reasonable return on your investment.
Planning the Perfect Trip
Already enrolled at a flight school and have access to private aircraft? Then here is everything you should know about how to plan the perfect short-distance trip:
Begin with a Flight Plan
A flight plan is an essential document that covers every aspect of your trip. Whether it's information about terrain, weather conditions, altitude limits, or fuel calculations, a comprehensive flight plan will cover every nook and cranny of your flight!
Flight plans have played a huge role in reducing the risks associated with flights. The Civil Aviation Authority has also mandated that every pilot submit a detailed flight plan before they even step into the cockpit.
A flight plan can not only help you plan a trip, but it can also help you during emergencies. For example, if you encounter an emergency restricted airspace on your route, then you should be able to easily reroute the aircraft using the alternative routes mentioned in the flight plan.
If you don’t know how to make a flight plan, then we recommend that you take help from either other experienced pilots or your flight instructors. You can also use existing flight plans for similar trips as a starting point!
Budget Everything
When planning a trip, it is important to make a budget that accommodates not only the expenses that you are expected to incur during your trip but also expenses that may arise from unforeseen circumstances.
Fuel calculations are an important part of flight budgeting. Make sure that you account for alternative routes and stops in your trips. Fuel calculations can be straightforward if you follow the recommended protocols set by the CAA.
If you don’t know where to start, then always get help from instructors or experienced pilots. As a safety measure, we recommend that you make a budget on the higher side, just in case. This way, even if you run into trouble, you will not have to worry about money.
For example, sometimes, unexpected bad weather may force pilots to ground their aircraft. In this scenario, you might want to plan for accommodation so that you can resume your trip or go back to your aero club the next day.
Pilots are also expected to set a budget for miscellaneous expenses such as food, drink, and even potential penalties.
Make Reservations Beforehand
Aero clubs can be busy places depending on the time and day of the week. This is why pilots should always call all the aero clubs that they want to visit beforehand to make the necessary reservations.
For example, aero clubs usually have a contact form or a separate visitor form that pilots are expected to fill out and submit before their visit. This allows the aero club to accommodate the pilot on their given date and guarantee a satisfactory stay during their visit.
Pilots usually don’t show up unannounced, but if you were to visit an aero club without making reservations, then you are likely to face fines and a range of penalties, and if the offense is serious enough or has happened before, then your license will likely be suspended.
Best Aero Clubs in Lincolnshire to fly to From Sherburn
Here are the best aero clubs in Lincolnshire:
Humber Flying Club
Located inside Humberside Airport, Humber Flying Club (HFC) is one of the finest flight schools in Lincolnshire.
Known for its highly trained instructors and prospering private pilot community, this aero club will surely wow you with its friendly attitude and passion for aviation. Since the flight school is located inside a well-known airport, you will find all the necessary amenities too, which makes this aero club an excellent place for private pilots to visit from other clubs.
Fly 365 Limited
Whether it is microlight training or casual flex-wing flights, Fly 365 is the one-stop solution for any pilot looking for a thrilling flying experience.
Not only does this club have a range of diverse aircraft, but it also offers a panel of one of the best flight instructors in the county. You are sure to find like-minded people here!
Please make sure that you call the club in advance before booking your trip. The aero club has specific policies for visitors that all pilots must follow.
Fenland Flying School
Fenland Flying School is a no-frills type of aero club that offers the lowest training rates in the market – but the same level of high-class training that you would expect from any other high-quality flight school.
The club is known for turning regular folks into thrill-seeking pilots, and thanks to its ideal location in Spalding, Lincolnshire, you can expect clear blue skies and jaw-dropping horizons when you take off from the flight school!
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 Tom Wheatley on Unsplash
