Flying Gift Vouchers: The Perfect Gift for Aviation Enthusiasts

Read below to learn more about flying gift vouchers and why they are the perfect gift for aviation enthusiasts.

Gift vouchers are a popular way to surprise your loved ones. Whether it is retail shopping, online shopping, or even experiences. These vouchers make for a great gift idea for valentines, anniversaries, birthdays, or virtually any special occasion.

These vouchers may seem like an easy way out for people who need a last-minute gift idea for a loved one. However, when it comes to flying gift vouchers, timing doesn’t matter since these vouchers are always well-received and exciting for the recipient!

In aviation, flying gift vouchers are an ingenious way to further commercialise the industry. These vouchers can provide credits that can go for several things like gift shop items, memorabilia, and of course, flight experiences.

Read below to learn more about flying gift vouchers and why they are the perfect gift for aviation enthusiasts:

WHAT ARE FLYING GIFT VOUCHERS

These vouchers can make you fly! Quite literally!

Flying vouchers came around after the mass commercialisation of aviation. In the beginning, aviation was seen as an industry for only enthusiasts or aviation professionals who were licensed to fly aeroplanes.

However, with advancing technology and policies, we are now at a point where several flight clubs offer bespoke experience flights targeted towards the average Joe. Experience flights allow people who know nothing about aeroplanes to fly with a veteran pilot!

For aviation enthusiasts, this means the world! Many people take an interest in aviation but don’t have the means, time, or resources to become pilots. This is where flying gift vouchers make the most impact.

With a voucher, you can spend your credits to get several flight experiences and even purchase gifts from a local gift store located inside the aero club.

TYPES OF FLYING GIFT VOUCHERS

Here are what flying gift vouchers are typically used for at aero clubs:

1. Trial Flights – a 30-to-90-minute flight with a trained instructor.
2. Flight Simulator Experiences – a session to fly virtually in state-of-the-art simulators.
3. Scenic Tours – Full-fledged aerial tours around popular areas with a trained pilot.
4. Aerobatic Flights – an adrenaline-fueled and thrilling flight experience that involves aerobatic manoeuvres.

BENEFITS OF FLYING GIFT VOUCHERS

Here are the top benefits of getting a flying gift voucher for your loved ones:

A Unique Experience

These vouchers provide aviation enthusiasts to get a once in a lifetime opportunity to soar the skies with a veteran pilot. Depending on the value of the voucher, you can get either a 30 60-, or 90-minute trial flight. These flights are perfect for people who want to experience what it is like flying in the sky – and you can also take photos and make unforgettable memories as well!

Introduction to Flying

Gift vouchers are the perfect way to introduce people to the world of aviation. If your loved one is on the fence about starting their aviation journey, then a gift voucher may be the perfect way for them to decide whether they want to become a pilot!

This is also a great way to introduce aspiring pilots and to show them what they can expect during training and after they obtain their pilot license.

Flexible Scheduling

With a gift voucher, you are in total control of when and how you want to fly. Depending on the value of the voucher you can choose the time limit of the flight and decide when you want to fly by pre-booking an experience flight with an aero club like Sherburn Aero Club.

Keep in mind that not every aero club offers gift vouchers so it would be best to check out the website of the aero club near you to see if they offer these services.

Professional Flight

Flying gift vouchers are all fun and virtually no risk! Since the aircraft is operated by a veteran you can enjoy the flight without worrying about anything. These professional pilots follow all the standard procedures, and their operations can also give you a glimpse of what you can expect during your flight training.

Breathtaking Views

The best way to enjoy a flight and make memories is to be present in the moment and also bring a camera. All experience flights are designed to provide scenic views of the surrounding area. For example, if you pick Sherburn Aero Club for your experience flight, you can enjoy the best of what the county has to offer by experiencing jaw-dropping horizons and remarkable manmade and natural structures.

Customise the Experience

Using gift vouchers, you can customise your flying experience and use the voucher within its validity at your convenience. Full-fledged flight clubs like Sherburn Aero Club offer several flight experiences that are suited for different types of people. If you like a simple tour, then you can pick any 30- or 90-minute flight. If you enjoy thrills and are looking for adrenaline, then an aerobatic flight experience is just for you.

HOW TO PURCHASE AND USE A FLYING GIFT VOUCHER

There are several ways to purchase a flying gift voucher. The best way is to purchase the voucher online. Several flight clubs, including Sherburn Aero Club, offer this feature. You can simply log on to the website, go to the experience flights page, and pick the right type of experience for your loved one. You also have the option to securely pay online and receive a physical or virtual voucher. In any case, a purchase receipt will be emailed to you for your convenience.

You can also manually book an experience flight by calling in and making an appointment or booking. This method is best for people who don’t have any experience with flying and want a trained professional to guide them through the process of picking the right experience and the right day depending on the weather conditions.

In the case of manual bookings, you will either be able to pick up the voucher from the club, or you can have it mailed to you. You can also ask the club to email a virtual copy of the voucher and receipt. This way, you don’t have to have the voucher on you, you can simply show the voucher from your phone and redeem an experience flight.

Some clubs also offer customised experiences where you can change the specifics of the experience flight to make it truly special. For example, you can customise the voucher to read a special message. You can also talk to the club and come up with a new and unique way to surprise your loved one during the flight. For example, you can ask the pilot about possible route changes to view special locations during your special occasion.

Please note the validity of the voucher. Most clubs offer extended validity where a flying gift voucher can be applicable for up to six months to a year. Every club has different policies, so it is best that you read the fine print before your purchase.

Keep in mind, that even if the voucher is valid, the flight can only take place if the weather conditions are ideal. This is why we recommend that you talk to the club to get an idea of when to book your flight. In most cases, you will be able to book the dates that you want, but in the case of unavailability, you can simply switch dates and update the voucher at your convenience.

For the best experience, book the gift voucher in advance! Flight experiences are very popular and aero clubs regularly book trips for customers. If you want to secure your date, then you will have to call in advance! Remember, aero clubs follow the “first come first serve” approach in booking dates.

HOW DO FLIGHT EXPERIENCES WORK WITH FLYING GIFT VOUCHERS?

A flight experience is simply a one-time flying session with a trained professional piloting the aircraft.

The aviation industry came up with this idea to expand its commercialisation efforts and to bring more people into aviation. An experience flight is not only a great way to make memories but is also fantastic in inspiring people to learn how to fly.

Aviation clubs in the United Kingdom, including Sherburn Aero Club, offer experience flights to both members and non-members of the club. Flight clubs usually have a dedicated page on their website just for flight experiences! To book a session, you will need to pick a suitable experience for you and your loved one, your preferred aircraft, and a time slot. You can also take the help of trained professionals at the club who can help you pick the right experience based on your expectations.

Experience flights are available to all individuals above the age of 12. The flight is piloted by a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) so you are just the passenger and don’t have to worry about anything!

The CFI stays in control of the aircraft for the entirety of the flight so that you can focus on the views, make memories, and take lots of pictures.

The only immediate drawback of flight experience is that they are dependent on weather conditions. This is why it is advised that you talk to a desk staff at the aero club before booking a date. Even in the event of bad weather, you can simply postpone the flight to a later time on the same day (if available) or a later date.

IS THERE A LICENCE REQUIREMENT?

The beauty of experience flights using flying gift vouchers is that you don’t have to have any experience in aviation to avail this service. This is primarily the main reason why people find experience flights a great gift for anyone looking for a unique gift for a special occasion.

Even if you are just an aviation enthusiast, you can easily get inside the cockpit and get the full experience of a typical flight, including preflight checks, taxing, cruising, and much more.

Experience flights often lead to people choosing to start their own journey in aviation. However, to fly an aircraft, you will need to obtain a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) or a Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL).

These licences can help you fully establish yourself as a pilot – of course, they come with their own perks and benefits too! With a valid licence, you can not only cruise the skies at your own convenience, but you can also offer experience flights for your loved ones, except this time, you will be the pilot!

Additionally, if your loved ones love the idea of flying gift vouchers and want to repeatedly have the same experience, then take that as a sign that they might be interested enough for formal training and licensing!

DO ALL CLUBS OFFER FLYING GIFT VOUCHERS?

The availability of vouchers varies depending on the policies of the aero club. While larger aero clubs offer vouchers, some may simply offer the facility to book a flight experience on someone’s behalf. This means that you won’t be able to get a typical voucher with a customised text, rather, you’d just receive a booking receipt in the name of your loved one.

Smaller clubs also offer this service. In fact, flight experiences are one of the ways aero clubs can monetise their services for the public!

In the context of Sherburn, the club offers the opportunity to experience flying one of its many well-maintained light aircraft, including the Piper PA28 as well as the Aero AT3, with flights ranging from anywhere between 30 minutes to up to 90-minute tours.

For those who wish to fly microlights, Sherburn’s microlight training facility, Breeze Aviation, also offers experience flights on the safe, fast, and incredibly fun Tiger Moth microlight.

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.

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.

Sherburn also offers 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.

Our in-house AME, Dr Mark Bellamy, is rated to perform EASA Class 2 and LAPL. He also holds a fixed-wing PPL. Appointments are available every Monday and Tuesday, as well as on occasional Saturdays.

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 flight experiences as well as how to book your trial flight at Sherburn.

Photo by Maksim Chernishev on Unsplash