In this guide, we will look at the best aero clubs in Normandy, a checklist of legal requirements, and a list of the best aero clubs in the region.
Whether it is Mont Saint-Michel, the glamourous seaside town Deauville, or the dramatic Étretat and the Cliffs, Normandy is perhaps one of the most beautiful regions in France and offers something for every type of private pilot.
Located just 880km from Sherburn, Normandy is not only known for its historical significance but also offers a great flight path for any private pilot looking for networking opportunities in a range of diverse aero clubs or just casual and thrilling flights.
In this guide, we will look at the best aero clubs in Normandy, a checklist of legal requirements, and a list of the best aero clubs in the region.
What UK Pilots Need to Know Before Travelling to Normandy
While UK pilots can fly outside of UK airspace and explore the many fantastic regions in France, especially Normandy, there are a few key legal aspects that they need to keep in mind before they embark on their journey.
Here is everything that you need to know about the post-Brexit legal requirements for travelling to Normandy from Sherburn:
Validate Your Licence
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has mandated that all UK pilots get their licences validated before entering French airspace. After Brexit, UK pilot licences are no longer valid in the EU. As per recent policies, UK pilots must hold an EU-issued EASA licence or a UK Part-FCL licence that can grant them access to flights in French airspace.
Additionally, UK pilots may be required to apply for a French conversion for UK PPL licences or fly with a permit that is acceptable in France under specific conditions.
For more details about how to plan the right trip according to your specific needs, we recommend that you speak with a consultant at your aero club. Many top-tier aero clubs, like Sherburn, provide a range of services for their members that make it easier to fulfil the minimum requirements for licence validation. This means that you can easily plan and get approval for your flight plan in the quickest way possible without delays!
Submission of Documents
When crossing international borders between the UK and France, you will require a comprehensive flight plan and all the necessary documents that you may need to provide to authorities, if needed.
UK pilots can submit their flight plan that includes details about their trip and the entry and exit points in France through appropriate platforms such as Eurocontrol.
Customs and Immigration
UK pilots will be required to fill out custom clearance forms when entering or exiting French airspace. These forms are readily available at larger airports but may not be available at smaller airfields which is why you need to plan your flight route accordingly.
Medical Certificates
UK CAA-issued medical certificates may not be valid for flying in France as per the recent EASA policies. To avoid problems, UK pilots may need to obtain or validate their medical certificates according to the EU standards.
Best Aero Clubs in Normandy
Normandy is known for its scenic routes, breathtaking cliffs, beautiful coastal lines, and awe-inspiring manmade and natural structures. These features make the region one of the best places to fly and it is no wonder that Normandy has a diverse range of aero clubs around the region.
Here is a list of some of the best aero clubs that you can visit in Normandy:
Aéroclub de Caen-Carpiquet
Located in Caen-Carpiquet Airport, this club is one of the largest and most active flight schools in Normandy. The club offers flight training for private pilots, discovery flights with access to beautiful historic landmarks, and even refresher courses.
The club boasts a modern fleet and is well-known for its panel of experienced flight instructors. Furthermore, the location near the D-day landing beaches makes it an ideal aero club for aerial tours.
Please note that since this is a very busy aero club, you will have to make prior arrangements and book your arrival well in advance. For the best experience, speak to a professional at the aero club to gather information about the club's visitors policies and schedule.
Aéroclub Jean Maridor - Le Havre
This club is located in Octeville Airport and is known for its friendly atmosphere and stunning views of the Normandy coastline. The club offers bespoke flight training, guaranteed scenic flights, and discovery flights. The club’s access to Le Havre’s coastal location makes it one of the best places for sightseeing flights over the cliffs and sea!
Aéroclub de Rouen Vallée de Seine
Aéroclub de Rouen Vallée de Seine is located in Rouen Airport and is a large flight school that provides a wide range of services which include excellent flight instruction, aerial tours, and even air events.
Since the club is based near the Seine River, it offers access to beautiful views during flights and is highly recommended for pilots looking to fly in varied airspaces.
The club frequently hosts air events around early May, but the dates are subject to change depending on weather conditions and the club's availability. We recommend that you call the club to book your spot and learn more about the types of air events hosted at the flight school.
Aéroclub de Deauville
Located in Normandy Airport, the club is perhaps best known for its proximity to the sea and inland countryside. The club offers breathtaking scenic flights over the Normandy Coast making it an ideal location for pilots looking to explore natural and manmade landmarks around the region.
The club is known for its welcoming atmosphere and community of experienced and novice pilots. The club also provides basic amenities that you can use to network with like-minded pilots.
Aéroclub de Cherbourg Manche
This club is in Cherbourg-Maupertus airport and provides access to flights around Cherbourg and the Cotentin Peninsula which is known for its rich historical significance from World War II.
The flight school is an excellent spot for pilots looking for dramatic coastal views, especially around the Cap de la Hague. Since this aero club is located near a highly visited historical landmark, we recommend that you book your arrival in advance and plan your flight plan according to the available slots at the club.
Aéroclub de Granville
De Granville is located within Granville Airport making it one of the most accessible places for UK pilots. Not only can you easily get customs clearance, but you also get access to picturesque flights over the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel and the Channel Islands. The club is home to aviation enthusiasts and provides a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for visiting pilots.
The best thing about this club is its range of amenities for visiting pilots. Pilots can relax in a common lounge, have a quick bite at the club, and network with experienced pilots!
Aéroclub d’Évreux Normandie
Located in Évreux-Fauville Air Base and situated at the centre of Normandy, this club is an excellent choice for pilots who want to experience flight training and jaw-dropping scenic flights in varied landscapes. It is known for its long-standing reputation as one of the best flight schools in the region and its community of passionate pilots.
Getting into the Right Flight School
Here is a checklist of things that you need to keep in mind when picking a flight school:
PPL vs CPL
People looking to train for a pilot licence have essentially two routes: the first is the highly popular Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and the second is the career-oriented Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).
Both these pilot licences do the same thing: train pilots to fly aircraft, but their capabilities are dictated by the type of programme they choose.
Private pilots can operate smaller lightweight aircraft called flex or fixed wings. These aircraft are nimble, fast, and provide better handling which leads to a thrilling flight experience. Private pilots can only operate aircraft as a hobby and can't earn from their passions.
Meanwhile, commercial pilots operate larger aircraft that carry people and cargo. These pilots are held to a completely higher standard due to their responsibilities. They are provided with in-depth training, even more so than private pilots, and are expected to log even more flight hours. This training makes them highly capable and allows them to safely operate large aircraft.
Private pilot training is cheaper than commercial training, but the benefit for commercial pilots is that they usually get jobs fairly easily, get compensated handsomely, and have a typical career ladder.
If you are confused about which training programme you should go with, then we recommend that you start with your expectations. If you wish to fly light aircraft only as a pastime hobby, then you should go with a Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) or a Private Pilot Licence (PPL). A LAPL is an even more affordable and flexible licence than a private licence, however, it has more restrictions and limitations than a PPL.
If you want to earn from your passion, then the best route for you would be to go for a commercial pilot licence. This type of licence allows you to fly for large airliners and get paid for your services. You can even use your CPL for other commercial services like air ambulances, crop dusting, aerial survey services, and much more.
Please keep in mind that not every flight club offers every type of training. Most clubs focus on private pilot training because it is more accessible and popular, but if you want to pursue a CPL, then you will have to pick a full-fledged school like Sherburn to get the best of both worlds.
Faculty and Facilities
Both facilities and faculty are important in picking the right flight school. Faculty is what you will rely on for the bulk of your training while the facilities play a supporting role that enriches training and allows you to become a capable pilot.
In most cases, the quality and experience of flight instructors will dictate your flight training experience. Young pilots trained by highly veteran and trained instructors are likely to come out ahead and quickly obtain their licences.
The quality of the instructor also plays a role in building intuition. Since aviation is an experience-based field, pilots must be exposed to various flying scenarios. Flying is inherently risky but is made safer using regulations and procedures.
Learning these procedures and putting pilots in hypothetical situations can help them develop a keen understanding of the principles of flight and how not to panic during troubling flight scenarios.
Furthermore, the facilities aid pilot training by providing pilots access to technology and services. For example, pilots can use simulation training to deepen their understanding of very specific flying scenarios. Simulation training is a requirement for all CPL candidates and is necessary to teach them about various emergency procedures.
Aero clubs that provide networking facilities like a common lounge, a café, and access to air events also enable pilots to learn more and connect with the aviation community. This not only builds comradery but allows pilots to build meaningful connections that will likely last them a lifetime.
Budgeting
Budgeting is perhaps the most important aspect of flight training. Flight schools are built on extensive capital and require a lot of funds to operate. These costs are carried down to the students which is why aviation training is perceived to be expensive.
Typical flight training costs depend on the type of program you choose with private pilots ranging from a couple of hundred to thousands of pounds to several thousand pounds for commercial training.
The key is to find a flight school that offers all the factors we have listed above in a suitable budget. The good news is that many clubs, like Sherburn, offer discounts, deals, and scholarships that students can take advantage of and get their training costs down.
We recommend that you highlight your budget and then filter the flight schools using the factors that we have listed above. This way, you can finalise the right type of flight school according to your budget and fulfil your dreams of becoming a pilot and exploring new places!
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 Ben Klewais on Unsplash
