Wales is an underrated gem that flies under the radar for many, but the location truly has a lot to offer to private pilots. The rocky coastal line of the country provides some amazing views for thrillseekers who would like to put their PPLs to good use!
Do you have a United Kingdom-specific Private Pilot Licence (PPL) or a Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) and wish to travel to a scenic location? While many pilots would respond to your search for recommendations by suggesting areas outside of the UK when it comes to breathtaking scenic beauty, you’d be pleased to know that one of the most beautiful coastal locations to fly to is closer than you think!
If you wish to travel but don’t have the resources or licence to travel outside of UK borders, or even if you hold an international pilot licence and wish to experience some truly spectacular views, then your next stop should definitely be the country of Wales!
WHY SHOULD YOU FLY TO WALES?
Wales is an underrated gem that flies under the radar for many, but the location truly has a lot to offer to private pilots. The rocky coastal line of the country provides some amazing views for thrillseekers who would like to put their PPLs to good use!
The fact that Wales isn’t too popular of a tourist destination, compared to places located in the European Union territory such as France or Germany means that it allows visitors to truly experience the area like a local.
Travelling to Wales is also very easy for private pilots flying out of England. The fact that it is located within Britain means your local licence is perfectly acceptable, and that you don’t have to go through any customs requirements! That makes Wales the perfect place for a quick getaway or a holiday that you take on a whim!
For those flying out of Sherburn Aero Club (or any other airfield for that matter), there are many great clubs in Wales where you can land. The clubs are located in airfields that are close to many attractions for pilots to explore after landing. To make things easier when it comes to planning your next trip to Wales, here is a list of the top aero clubs in the area, as well as what you can expect to find close by after you reach!
CAMBRIAN AERO TRAINING
Cambrian Aero training, located in Cardiff, is one of the foremost places in Wales to train as a pilot. Home to both a ground school as well as a flight school, CAT is a great place for pilots to start their aviation journey as well as sharpen their skills.
They provide pilots with the training required to obtain a Private Pilot Licence with an Aeroplane or Helicopter rating, depending on the need of the pilot. CAT also offers introductory flight experiences for those who wish to experience flying an aeroplane for themselves before making the commitment to training. This is a great way to find out whether you are truly passionate about flying.
Also on offer are Flight Radio Telephony Operators Licence (FRTOL) courses, training for Night and Instrument Ratings, as well as training of Certified Flight Instructors (CFI).
Attractions nearby
Cardiff is the capital city of Wales and is one of the most attractive destinations in the country for tourists due to its rich historical heritage and close proximity to several other key locations. The city is home to the Cardiff Castle, which is considered one of the most well-preserved and stunning castles in the region. Visitors also have the option to walk through the city’s Victorian-era arcade all the way down to Cardiff Bay.
The oldest of the arcades is the Royal Arcade built in 1858, which is extremely well-preserved, with many shopfronts continuing to exist in their original form!
MONA FLYING CLUB
Located on Anglesey Island in Wales, this club is great for those pilots who want to enjoy the coastal scenery, given the club’s location. The Mona Flying Club prides itself on its friendly and welcoming learning environment, allowing pilots to excel in the art of aviation without too much stress.
It is a great option for newer pilots looking to train, as well as those pilots flying in from Leeds looking for a suitable airfield to land in. The club offers a lot in terms of scenery, located by the Snowdonia Mountains. It also offers trial flights for inexperienced flyers looking to find out whether aviation is the right hobby for them or not.
Members of the Mona Flying Club also regularly travel internationally to locations across Europe. The club is home to a diverse community of pilots with varying levels of experience who are driven by their passion for aviation.
Attractions nearby
From beautiful beaches to glorious castles, Anglesey Island has it all! The area houses some of the most beautiful architecture in the country and boasts natural beauty to match. Visitors can experience the Island’s scenic beauty through the Menai Bridge Viewpoint, with the suspension bridge dating back to the 1800s.
The many small islands surrounding the larger island are also home to quite a few attractions, and it is a good idea to take a boat to them during the day to explore. There are also many beaches on the island, one of the most scenic and beautiful of which is the Llanddwyn Bay.
PEMBROKESHIRE FLYING CLUB
The main aim of the Pembrokeshire Flying Club is to promote private flying and aviation as a hobby in the area. The club arranges regular social gatherings and events allowing pilots to connect and broaden the community.
The club caters to pilots flying in from different areas, including Leeds, providing a warm and welcoming environment. The club also hosts fun competitions to raise money for charity, such as the PFC Fun Rally, which aims to raise money for prostate cancer awareness.
The club was formed in the early 1980s and is home to a Cessna 150 aircraft, which is available for use by members of the club. Operating out of the Haverfordwest Airport, the Pembrokeshire Flying Club is a great place in Wales to meet fellow aviation enthusiasts and be part of a thriving pilot community.
Attractions nearby
The rugged Pembrokeshire peninsula juts out into the Irish sea, offering a lot of natural beauty and the opportunity to explore it via bike, on foot, or in your car (although it's best to bike or walk around to take in the full beauty of the region).
The Pembrokeshire National Coastal Park is the perfect place to experience the shoreline and the sea beyond! It is also Britain’s only coastal national park. It has an abundance of colourful wildlife, including a variety of birds and land animals.
The Pembroke Castle is also a major tourist destination, given that it is a scenic location favoured by Hollywood as well!
HORIZON FLIGHT TRAINING
Located in St Athan, Horizon Flight Training is a great place for beginners as well as experienced pilots looking to sharpen their flying skills! Training is provided to acquire the Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) as well as the Private Pilot Licence (PPL).
Pilots are also offered training for Night and Instrument ratings that allow them to fly in conditions of reduced visibility. Visiting aircraft are welcome to HFT, with their own fleet including aeroplanes such as the Piper PA-28 140 and the Cessna 150.
While there aren’t many dining options available at HFT, there is an abundance of hot tea and coffee to welcome pilots after long flights to St Athan.
Attractions nearby
Located in the rural Vale of Glamorgan, St Athan is the perfect place in Wales to experience the quaint charm of the countryside. It has two pubs for those who wish to socialise with the locals, as well as a variety of trails for those who wish to walk around to soak in the area’s beauty.
A lovely destination for bike rides, St Athans is also home to the Beaupre Castle, which is a fortified Elizabethan mansion.
CAMBRIAN FLYING CLUB
Located in Swansea, the Cambrian Flying Club is a great place from which to experience Wales! The club hosts trial flying lessons for as low as GBP 99, as well as Private Pilot Licence (PPL) training.
The club operates out of Swansea Airport and is home to a fully licensed flight training school. The Cambrian Flying club also provides training for the upgrading of the PPL to Part-FCL, which is a requirement if a private pilot wishes to fly to Europe.
Attractions nearby
Swansea is the second-largest city in Wales, with the coastal area important as a university town, trading centre, as well as a major industrial site. For nature lovers, Swansea is home to the beautiful Gower Peninsula as well as the Three Cliffs Bay.
The city also houses some beautiful gardens and parks as well as thriving marketplaces for those attracted to the bustle of city life.
FLYING TO WALES FROM SHERBURN AERO CLUB
One of the best things about Wales for those living in England is just how close the country is! This means all of the nation’s scenic beauty is at your fingertips if you are flying to Wales from Leeds in England.
The average direct, non-stop flight from Leeds, where Sherburn Aero Club is located, to Cardiff in Wales takes around half an hour (27 minutes to be precise). This is an average estimate, and the exact time it takes to travel from Leeds to Cardiff will vary depending on a few different factors.
The first and foremost is the experience of the pilot. More experienced pilots can undertake the flight in the shortest amount of time possible, while beginner pilots may take a bit longer due to the fact that they are practising more caution (as they should!).
Another factor that affects flight time is the weather. When the weather is cloudy, the bumpy flight will probably take longer than a smooth flight through clear skies. Also, impaired visibility may make the pilot proceed at a slower speed.
Finally, the type of aircraft being flown will also have an impact on flight time. Some light aircraft are known to be faster than others. Microlights such as the three-axis, while fast, are still slow when compared to larger aeroplanes such as the Cessna SkyHawk or the Piper PA-28.
WHAT LICENCE WILL YOU NEED?
One of the best parts of flying to Wales is just how easy it is! While the flight time makes it a convenient getaway destination, the fact that the licence requirements are fairly relaxed also makes it an attractive option for pilots.
Unlike when travelling to territories that are a part of the European Union, when travelling within the UK to countries such as Wales, you do not need a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)-approved licence. This means you can easily travel to Wales on your local, UK-specific national licence, such as the National Private Pilot Licence (NPPL) or the Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL).
You also do not need to upgrade your PPL to Part-FCL, since the basic PPL is more than enough when flying within the borders of Britain. There are also no customs requirements when travelling to Wales from England, which means you can easily travel on a whim for a quick relaxing getaway!
WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN AN AERO CLUB?
There are many factors that make aero clubs highly beneficial to private pilots. The first and foremost of these is the fact that it gives pilots access to a diverse community of aviation lovers who enjoy flying as much as they do.
While aviation is a great hobby, it is not very common given the time and financial resources needed to pursue it. This means it is difficult to come by fellow passionate flyers on the street. In such circumstances, aero clubs are a great way to socialise with a community of like-minded individuals. Apart from this, aero clubs also make flying accessible to many people, who would not otherwise be able to afford their own private aeroplanes.
Clubs give members access to their own fleet, with pilots being able to get aircraft on hire, paying on an hourly basis.
There is much cost-saving involved when it comes to aero clubs, thanks to more than just the aircraft for hire. Clubs allow members to jointly own aircraft on a shared basis, which takes the burden of maintenance off of any one pilot’s shoulders. This also makes it easier for pilots to invest in aircraft without too much financial commitment.
WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB?
Sherburn Aero Club opened its doors in 1964 and went on to become one of the largest flying clubs in the North of England and also one of the largest in the country.
The flying club opened a flight training school in the 1970s which was followed by several major investments including a large fleet of new aircraft and an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse. Being both a flying club and a flight training school, we are well-positioned to cater to our members and their friends and families, before, during, and after they become qualified pilots.
We aim to give all of our members a fun social environment whilst providing the opportunity to continue to build on their experience and expand their horizons. Whether you are taking to the skies for an experience flight or starting your flying career, Sherburn has it all to offer.
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.
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.
Call us on 01977 682 674, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information about flying to Wales and airfields in the area.
Photo by Beata Mitręga on Unsplash
