For pilots who love to enjoy the beautiful scenery when flying, Austria truly is a treasure trove!
If you are hoping to fly to Europe in your aircraft, then the mountainous country of Austria is a must-visit destination! Cross a trip to the charming nation filled with marvellous natural landscapes and cosy, rustic villages off your bucket list. Just beware that you will definitely be tempted to come back again and again!
For pilots who love to enjoy the beautiful scenery when flying, Austria truly is a treasure trove! There is so much natural beauty to explore, as well as bustling cities for when you want to spend time socialising. You can fly to Austria, which is part of the European Union, easily as long as you have the correct licence and are aware of the international flight rules and regulations.
If you have the correct licence and are flying a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)-registered aircraft, you’ll be good to go! Travel to European countries such as Austria may not be as fast and easy as it used to be before Britain’s split from the EU and the subsequent breakup of the Civil Aviation Authority of the UK (CAA-UK) and EASA, but it’s still pretty straightforward.
There are also many good aero clubs that private pilots flying from the UK can land in when travelling to Austria. These are most often housed in international airports that are close to bustling cities that offer several fun tourist attractions.
In case you are confused about where you should land and what your options for sightseeing maybe once you have arrived in Austria, here's a list of the best aero clubs in the country that you can fly to from Sherburn Aero Club (or anywhere else for that matter)!
WHY SHOULD YOU FLY TO AUSTRIA?
Looking for reasons to fly to Austria? You’d be pleased to know there are many!
From the country’s prime location, with Austria once being dubbed the “capital of Europe”, as well as the many architectural and cultural attractions in the region, there are many things that make Austria a great destination for pilots flying out of the UK. One of the main reasons to visit the country is its central location in Europe, with Austria bordering Slovenia, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary.
The country is also fairly close to Italy, with Europe’s well-connected and convenient train systems making them a short ride away. If you are flying to Europe and looking for a place that will give you easy access to the rest of the region, Austria is a great option. However, there is much that Austria has to offer on its own as well.
The country has a rich history, once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and also a key region in World War II. The country’s rich history means it is home to some stunning architecture and some of the best museums and art galleries in the world.
When it comes to art and culture, the country has produced some of the biggest names in art in Europe, including the likes of Mozart and Wagner. Austrian sweet treats and coffee are also a great motivation for travellers to visit the relatively small country.
Dotted with several coffee shops and self-dubbed the “capital of cake”, Austria is also very easy to navigate given its small size and great public transport options.
ASKÖ FLUGSPORT WIEN
The ASKÖ Flugsport Wien, located close to the city of Vienna, offers services relating to both motorised flights as well as gliding. The club has a focus on leisure flying and is one of the best destinations for private pilots flying to the country.
The club also has a focus on sailplanes, and training is offered in the operation of sailplanes, gliders, as well as general aviation aircraft. The club is housed in the Wiener Neustadt West airfield, which is about 30 km south of the city of Vienna.
The airfield is considered one of the best starting points for a flight through the scenic snow-covered alps. The club is fully operated by members, with no paid trainers on board. This has led to a strong sense of community among the members, which has made the ASKO Flugsport Wien a great place for aviation enthusiasts to come together.
Attractions nearby
Vienna is the capital of Austria and one of the most visited cities in Europe. It is located on the banks of the Danube River, giving it a scenic quality. It has also historically served as the meeting point of East and West Europe. Experience the city’s glittering palaces and musical heritage, with the region historically home to a rich cultural tradition.
MOTORFLIEGER CLUB KÄRNTEN
Over 50 years old, the Motorflieger Club Kärnten, is a historic flying club with a thriving community of aviation enthusiasts. The club has produced over 1000 pilots, with many who have gone on to pursue aviation in a professional capacity as well.
The club offers training in the acquisition of the Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and also provides training for Instrument Ratings (IR). It is located in Carinthia and caters to pilots from all across Europe, including Spain, Greece, and Sweden, as well as the US and UK.
Attractions nearby
The mountainous landscape of this southernmost state in Austria is a great place for pilots to experience the beauty of the jagged and sloping topography. It is home to some of the most gorgeous scenery in Europe, including alpine lakes and beautiful lush valleys. It is also dotted with stunning historic architecture amongst the natural scenery, such as the Hochosterwitz Castle.
AKAFLIEG GRAZ
Catering to both glider pilots as well as those interested in flying general aviation aircraft, the Akaflieg Graz is a great place for aviation enthusiasts to mingle. The club offers training facilities for private pilots and also houses sports training facilities.
Attractions nearby
Graz is Austria’s second-largest city and is located on the banks of the River Mur. The old town is picturesque and the area serves as a stopover for many travellers thanks to its relaxing and laid-back environment. Owing to its stunning historic architecture, the city of Graz was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1999.
FLYING TO AUSTRIA FROM SHERBURN AERO CLUB
When flying from Leeds, where Sherburn Aero Club is located, to Vienna in Austria, the expected flight duration will be 2 hours and 35 minutes. This estimate is for a non-stop flight, and the duration will increase if the pilot chooses to make many stops along the way.
A major factor when it comes to how fast a pilot will reach their destination is their experience level. Pilots who have been flying for years and are no strangers to international travel will find that they reach their destination with relative ease.
They will also find it easier to manoeuvre the aircraft since flying becomes like second nature to pilots who have been doing it for long enough. On the other hand, a newer pilot who may be embarking on their first ever international flight may find that it takes them longer to reach their destination.
This may be because of a variety of reasons. The pilot may not be familiar with the customs procedures and so may take longer to figure out what to do where, or they may not be as adapted to the controls of the aircraft due to the fact that they are still relatively new to flying.
Newer pilots tend to proceed with caution, which ends up slowing them down. For this reason, it may take them a bit longer to reach their destination as compared to a more experienced pilot. Apart from this, the weather, as well as the type of aircraft being flown may affect the flight duration. Some aircraft models are faster than others, and it is easier and faster to fly through clear skies as opposed to cloudy weather, which may result in a longer, bumpier flight.
HOW CAN A UK PRIVATE PILOT FLY TO EUROPE?
Britain’s exit from the European Union has led to a lot of confusion over which licences are needed to fly to Europe and which certification will continue to be valid and which won’t.
This is mainly because of the split between the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the UK (CAA UK). Before Brexit, the CAA UK was under the jurisdiction of EASA, which is the regulatory body of all aviation-related matters in EU member states. The CAA UK is now an independent entity, and approval from the CAA does not guarantee approval from EASA.
“Local” licences issued by the CAA no longer cover European countries such as Austria, even though all you needed was a basic UK Private Pilot Licence (PPL) or a UK Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) to fly to these nations previously.
What licence will you need?
While the situation may seem bleak, things truly aren’t as bad as they seem, and there is still a lot you can do with your Private Pilot Licence with a few upgrades. While you may no longer be able to fly to European Union member states such as Austria on your basic PPL, it becomes valid for European travel after an upgrade to Part-FCL status.
The Part-FCL rating allows pilots to fly EASA-registered aircraft, making them eligible to fly in EU member states. The requirements for the Part-FCL rating are the same as those for a basic PPL, with 45 hours of required flight time, 10 hours out of which must be of solo flight time.
However, as opposed to the CAA-issued Class 2 medical certificate, the Part-FCL upgrade requires you to have a valid EASA-approved medical certificate. There isn’t much difference between the two, with the only real distinction being the regulatory body that issues them.
What to carry with you
Apart from your Part-FCL PPL (or other valid licences such as an EASA-issued PPL or LAPL), there are a few documents that you must have on hand when flying to Austria or any other part of Europe.
Due to the newly-introduced customs regulations that list the UK as a third country, all UK pilots must carry with them valid passports. This is necessary and, without a passport, you will not be allowed entry into any European state outside of the UK’s borders.
However, you would be pleased to know that there is still no visa requirement for stays by UK nationals totalling up to 90 days. Longer stays will require visas and if you wish to commercially fly aircraft in Austria, you will need a valid work visa.
Apart from your passport, you should also carry with you your certificate of airworthiness, which is issued by licensed aircraft maintenance engineers. This document ensures that the aircraft you are flying is safe to take to the skies.
Finally, you should also carry with you a survival kit that may come in handy in case of any unfortunate circumstances such as emergency landings in unpopulated areas. Make sure you have food, water, a tent and fuel for a fire ready in your kit in case you are left stranded due to an accident.
WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN AN AERO CLUB?
If you are looking for reasons to sign up for an aero club membership, you should know that there are many. Not only are aero clubs such as Sherburn Aero Club home to a diverse community of pilots, but they are also great for pilots who are yet to purchase an aircraft or are interested in flying aeroplane models they do not yet own.
As a private pilot, it’s a great idea to be a member of aero clubs outside of your country of residence so that you have a club you can fly to with ease.
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.
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.
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 licenses, along with pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward.
You are required to take medical exams to prove you are fit enough to take to the skies when applying for a licence, and the facility at Sherburn allows you to start your aviation journey on the right foot.
Sherburn also 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.
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.
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.
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 on 01977 682 674, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on flying to Austria and upgrading your Private Pilot Licence.
Photo by Jakub David on Unsplash
