In this guide, we will look at the best aero clubs in Hauts-de-France, how pilots can travel to the region, and how aspiring pilots can pick the right career route in aviation.
Hauts-de-France is located just 725km from Sherburn and is home to a breathtaking coastal line overlooking a vast and scenic horizon. The region is also known for its small but picturesque towns and iconic manmade and natural structures.
With all this natural beauty and clear blue skies, it is no wonder that this region has a bustling aviation community full of vibrant aero clubs.
In this guide, we will look at the best aero clubs in Hauts-de-France, how pilots can travel to the region, and how aspiring pilots can pick the right career route in aviation.
Travelling to Hauts-de-France Post Brexit
Here is everything that private pilots need to know about travelling to Hauts-de-France from Sherburn:
UK Pilot Licence Considerations
As per the recent policies of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), UK pilot licences are no longer valid in the EU post-Brexit.
To travel from the UK to French airspace, private pilots must have either an EU-issued EASA licence or a UK Part-FCL licence. Additionally, UK pilots will be required to apply for a French conversion for UK Licences or fly with a permit that is acceptable in France.
Pilots seeking to fly out of the UK must consult with the relevant staff at their aero club. Aero clubs like Sherburn are well-equipped to help UK pilots fulfil all the minimum requirements to fly outside of the UK without problems. UK pilots can communicate their requirements, their duration of stay, the stops they plan to make, and their general flight plan with professional consultants to get a better idea of how to submit and get approval in the quickest time possible.
Customs Forms
UK pilots will be required to fill out a customs form before entering or leaving the EU. The form lists all the important documentation required for submission which can include flight plans and information about the entry and exit points in France.
Ideally, pilots can travel to large and established airports for these services as not all aerodromes and clubs provide customs clearance facilities.
Submission of Documents
As mentioned above, UK pilots will be required to submit a comprehensive list of documents to get approval. For example, a flight plan is required when crossing international borders between the UK and France and the plan must include all the details regarding the particulars of the pilot’s journey.
Pilots can submit their flight plans through appropriate platforms such as Eurocontrol while ensuring that they mention the departure and destination airports.
Aircraft Registration
UK-registered aircraft or G-registered aircraft should comply with any additional local requirements which may include insurance coverage or temporary permits that may be needed for certain aircraft categories.
Medical Certificates
EASA rules highlight that UK CAA-issued medical certificates must be first validated before entering French airspace. UK pilots must validate their medical certificates according to the EU standards to avoid problems.
Best Aero Clubs in Hauts-de-France
Hauts-de-France is frequently visited by private pilots looking for a scenic trip full of adventure, breathtaking views, and a thrilling aviation community. We recommend checking out top spots like Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, Somme Bay, Château de Chantilly, Cap Blanc-Nez, Cap Gris-Nezm, and more for the best experience.
Here is a list of some of the best aero clubs that you can visit from Sherburn:
Aéroclub de Lille - Marcq-en-Barœul
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul near Lille, this aero club is one of the oldest and most prestigious flight schools in northern France. It provides a diverse range of services including flight training for private pilots, recreational or experience flights, and even aerial tours. The club is always busy with visitors and has a community of enthusiastic veteran and novice pilots.
Aéroclub de Dunkerque
Located in Dunkerque, this club is known for its scenic location since it is near the coast. The club provides excellent flight training services, discovery flights, aerial photography tours, and much more.
If you are looking for a friendly atmosphere, access to jaw-dropping horizons, and a bustling community of ambitious pilots then look no further!
Aéroclub du Touquet
Aéroclub du Touquet is located in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage. It is situated near a popular seaside resort making it one of the most scenic aero clubs in the region. This aero club is ideal for people looking for a combination of flying and leisure.
The club offers a nurturing environment for pilots and since it is located along the coast, you will likely find several tourists for short discovery flights around the club.
Aéroclub de Compiègne
This club is located in Compiègne and is well-known for both glider and powered flight training. Since it is situated near historical sites, you are bound to get your money’s worth if you are looking for a scenic flight with a friendly atmosphere.
Experience thrilling flights over the forests and castles of the region and engage with the glider community in France – it is truly one of the best places to visit from Sherburn!
Aéroclub de Beauvais
Aéroclub de Beauvais is in Beauvais and is known for its highly organised training programmes, experienced instructors, and the pilot community. The club offers something for everyone! Not only can you find excellent beginner training, but you can also expect hardcore training for advanced pilots as well.
Since the club is near Beauvais Airport, you can expect easy customs clearance and a broader flight training experience with access to some of the best spots in the region.
Becoming a Pilot
Flight schools are not only gathering spots for aviation enthusiasts but are also training centres where ambitious and career-oriented pilots can train to become commercial or private pilots.
Picking the right flight school is just like picking any other institution in academia. Just like you would make a wish list for the ideal college that you want to study in, you will similarly have to create a list of your requirements, expectations and budget, faculty experience, amenities, and more.
In terms of costs, pilot training can range from a couple of thousand pounds to several thousand. The key is to find the right flight school with all your requirements within your budget so that you can get your licence as soon as possible.
While flight training can be costly, the benefits of joining an aero club offset the total perceived costs since you not only get to fulfil your ambitions, but if you opt for commercial pilot training, you can even begin earning from your passion!
Here is everything that you need to keep in mind when picking a flight school:
Picking the Ideal Route
Pilot training is divided into two categories: you can either choose to become a private pilot who gets to fly smaller aircraft for leisure purposes only or a commercial pilot who gets to fly larger commercial aircraft with a lucrative pay scale and typical career ladder.
The type of pilot training you choose will determine the type of aircraft that you can operate once you get your licence. There are two types of aircraft in aviation: light aircraft and commercial aircraft. Light aircraft are commonly found in virtually any flight club and are the primary type of aircraft for pilot training.
Commercial aircraft, on the other hand, is what makes air transport possible and can be found in any commercial airport. These aircraft carry passengers and cargo and are flown by professional commercial pilots.
Pilots seeking to pursue aviation as a hobby will find the light aircraft to be the best choice. Light aircraft have two broad subcategories: flex-wing and fixed-wing aircraft.
Flex wings are compact aircraft with a typically open-cockpit design. They can seat up to two people at a time and are ideal for short-distance flights, experience flights, aerial photography, and casual flying.
Flex wings have been around since the birth of aviation in the 1900s. These aircraft are nimble and fun to fly, and most private pilots can easily fulfil their dream of flying by only operating flex wings.
Fixed-wing aircraft, in comparison, are very different from flex-wings in how they are designed and their performance capacity.
Fixed-wing aircraft feature a closed cockpit design much like larger planes. They can seat up to six passengers and typically have a higher Take-Off Weight (TOW) than flex-wing aircraft. They are the best aircraft for both commercial and private pilot training.
Fixed wings are equipped with a diverse range of onboard instruments which make them ideal for several flying scenarios and even commercial pilot training.
Finally, pilots looking for a completely different flying experience can opt for another type of light aircraft: Helicopters.
Helicopters are a type of light aircraft used for commercial or private purposes. Helicopters have the unique ability to take off vertically which makes them ideal for several flying scenarios and commercial applications.
These aircraft are frequently used for aerial photography, rescue missions, cargo delivery, transport, sightseeing, aerial surveys, and much more. Sherburn has a dedicated helicopter training facility within the airfield called Hields Aviation. However, not every club offers a diverse range of training services, so we recommend that you factor in the training facilities of the club in your decision.
Pick the Right Training Programme
There are several types of licences that private and commercial pilots can choose from. Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL), for example, is the best for people who are looking for flexible and cost-effective private pilot training. This programme teaches pilots the basics of flight and is the quickest way to get into the cockpit. Of course, there are limitations, as pilots can only fly smaller aircraft during specific flying conditions called the Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and more.
If you wish to fly both flex-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, then you will have to go with either a Private or Commercial Pilot Licence (PPL or CPL).
Pilots looking to pick up flying as a hobby will find a Light Aircraft Pilot Licence to be the best. However, if you want to get the best experience and make future possibilities feasible (like going for a CPL), then we recommend going for a Private Pilot Programme.
When PPL holders feel comfortable with their training and want to pursue their ambitions even further, they can pick up training where they left off and train for additional certifications that can allow them to fly in even more flying scenarios, like at night. Furthermore, PPL holders can also continue training to train for a CPL and graduate from the same flight school without changing instructors or the environment. This means that you get to train on your favourite aircraft and gain access to even advanced aircraft and simulation training.
Please note that not all aero clubs offer both CPL and PPL training with most solely focusing on PPL. You will have to pick a comprehensive flight school like Sherburn if you want the best of both worlds.
Flight Instructors
Flight instructors are the backbone of aviation because they train the future generation of pilots. Flight instructors are typically retired veteran pilots or highly capable and experienced private pilots.
The competence of flight instructors at the flight school will determine your overall experience in flight training. The better the instructors, the more quickly you can train and get your licence. This is why you must account for the quality of the faculty and not just the facility in your decision to pick the right flight school.
Great flight instructors teach pilots how to build intuition which is important and only comes from experience. Flight instructors have a lot of flight hours under their belt and are exposed to various flying scenarios. This experience enables them to teach young pilots how to tackle several flying scenarios that can put pilots in tough situations.
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.
