In this guide, we will look at how light aircraft can be used for touring purposes and how you can bring your family members in on the ride!
Looking for a fun activity that you can enjoy with your family? Then why not fly with them to special locations and make memories? Obtaining a light aircraft licence may seem like a daunting task, but there is no better time than now to enrol in a flight programme and reap the many benefits of flying an aircraft.
Light aircraft provide the perfect opportunity for you to share your passion for aviation with not just your pilot friends but also family members who don’t know anything about planes or flying. In fact, flying with family members is a great way to strengthen your bond and explore new places together.
In this guide, we will look at how light aircraft can be used for touring purposes and how you can bring your family members in on the ride!
Light Aircraft – The Best for Family Trips
Light aircraft come in many forms and sizes, but there are two broad categories that you can choose from:
- Fixed-Wing Aircraft
- Flex-Wing Aircraft
Fixed-Wing
Fixed-wing aircraft are one of the best choices for people who want to fly with more than one family member. Since these planes are designed in the same image as larger planes, they share some of the design features, including an enclosed cabin with up to six seats. Some models also feature a separate window for each seat, and you can have a very traditional flying experience in these aircraft.
The best thing about fixed-wing aircraft is that they are lightweight and highly efficient. This means that you can go farther and longer than other smaller aircraft that don’t have the fuel efficiency or fuel capacity for longer trips. Fixed wings are also an excellent choice for people who want to fly with family members during different parts of the day.
A great example would be to fly on a full moon at night. Imagine breezing across the sky during a cool and quiet night with your loved one with the moon on the horizon – if that isn’t romantic, then what is?
However, an important point to consider here is that you will need to have all the necessary qualifications, like a night rating if you want to take a flight at night in a fixed-wing aircraft. Light aircraft are ideally flown under VFR (Visual Flight Rules). These rules essentially dictate the optimal weather and visibility conditions to fly light aircraft.
If you have a night rating and an IR (Instrument Rating) then you may be allowed to fly at night, which makes for an equally jaw-dropping and surreal experience that you can have with your loved ones.
Flex-Wing
Flex-wing aircraft are one of the best options to fly for multiple reasons. While most pilots train to fly in fixed-wings, if you ask them their preference when it comes to the best type of aircraft then they would almost invariably pick flex-wing aircraft.
The primary reason for this is that flex-wing aircraft are highly simplified machines that aren’t as complicated and provide a completely different aerial experience. Flex wings have a rigid pair of wings with a lightweight fabric wrapped around them. This fabric flexes with the wind and provides stability to the entire structure of the plane.
Flex wings also offer a very unique flying experience since they are built without an enclosed cockpit. That’s right, instead of a tubular fuselage that you will commonly find in fixed-wing light aircraft, flex-wings expose the pilot to the environment. This means that you will always feel the elements like air and sunlight when you fly in one of these aircraft!
However, a disadvantage of these aircraft is that they can only seat two people at a time. While this may seem like a deal breaker for people who want to take multiple family members, it can be a great and personal option for people who want to take someone special, like a life partner, mom, dad, brother, sister, etc on an adventure!
Imagine flying through coastal belts and experiencing jaw-dropping natural geographical features from the sky with nothing but a windshield separating you from the outside – it truly is a one-of-a-kind experience.
Light Aircraft Flying as a Family Activity – Tips and Advice
Here is a comprehensive guide that you can use to plan a trip in a light aircraft with your family:
Picking the Right Aircraft for the Job and Making a Flight Plan
Now that you know about the two most widely used types of light aircraft, you can choose a light aircraft that best fits your needs. We recommend starting with the basics. First, determine the number of people you want to take with you on your trip.
If the answer is more than two, then you will have to pick a fixed-wing light aircraft. You can also go for a flex-wing, but you will eventually have to take multiple trips with each family member, which will end up costing a lot more than taking a fixed-wing.
Once you have decided on the type of aircraft, you will then have to make a flight plan. The flight plan is an extremely important piece of document that highlights every variable in your flight.
For example, a flight plan can include details about the route of your adventure, the expected duration of the flight, the type of terrain that you will fly over, the weather forecast for the day, and even details about the fuel requirements, etc. You can also consult with other experienced pilots and share your flight plan to further improve it!
If you have a detailed flight plan that covers all the bases, you will likely not run into any problems during your flight. Please keep in mind that your goal should be to have the smoothest ride possible, and since you will be making an impression on your family members, you should come prepared.
Emphasise on Safety
Safety is essential for every flight, but when you take your entire family with you, you will need to take a bit more measures to ensure that there is virtually nothing that can interfere with your flight.
As mentioned above, start with the weather. There are several official resources that you can use to track the weather forecast. Some forecasting services are free, like those that can commonly be found at flight schools, but you can also go with premium/paid services like that offered by the Meteorological Department of the UK, to get in-depth and real-time weather info.
In most cases, the forecast provided by your flight school would be enough, but if you are someone who wants to leave nothing to chance, then we recommend that you go with a paid service just to be sure.
Before the trip, make sure that you brief your family members on the various safety instructions. It is best that you do this at home with everyone in one room. Make sure everyone is paying attention when you explain the various safety and emergency protocols. Even though modern aviation is remarkably safe, its standard procedure is to brief passengers about safety.
Be Up to Date on Certifications
Now that you have addressed everything related to the passengers, it's time to shift your focus to yourself. Make sure that you have all the necessary certifications and qualifications to make your trip. Check the validity of your licence, medical certificate, and virtually any other official document that you will need to carry on your person during the flight.
If you plan to make multiple stops along the way to your destination, then you will need to have your documents in order. Failing to maintain a valid set of documents can cause delays, and in severe cases, you may be asked to return to your original take-off point, which will undoubtedly ruin your trip.
Pre-Flight Checks
A day before you embark on your journey with your family, you will have to check your aircraft carefully and extensively. These pre-flight checks are the gold standard for reducing and even eliminating risk during flights.
Check the control surfaces, electrical equipment, fuel tank, oil levels, and any other component on your aircraft. If you detect an issue, then you will have to immediately inform the engineering department at your flight school/airport. Do not proceed with the flight until the issue has been addressed. Even if you have been planning the trip for weeks, it's better to delay it a few days than to fly with unnecessary risks.
Communicate with Family
You should address the expectations of your family members before the flight. Ask them if they have any questions regarding the flight. Some people have a fear of flying, and if you have a family member that suffers from acrophobia (fear of heights), then you will have to pay close attention to their needs.
Communicate with them and let them know about what they can expect during the flight. Turbulence, for example, can make people anxious, so we recommend that you go through every aspect of the flight even before your family enters the aircraft.
If you are going to make your trip in a flex-wing, then you will have to communicate the type of clothes that they should wear since it is going to be windy, cold, and bright – all at the same time.
Pick the Right Route
The best advice that we can give to pilots is to pick a route that is suitable for their family members. Elderly members, for example, might want a more relaxed and scenic route with multiple stops where they can stretch their legs and move about. Taking stops is highly recommended because it adds to the fun and your family members can also experience multiple take-offs and landings!
Always consider the comfort and convenience of your family members and build a trip around their needs and expectations. Make a record of your intended route in your flight plan and double-check to see if there isn’t any restricted airspace near the places that you want to visit. We also recommend that you plan alternative routes so that you can quickly make last-minute adjustments if there is an emergency restriction during your flight.
Stay Connected with Ground Crew
Double-check the radio and communication equipment on your aircraft and ensure that everything is operating as it should. Always be on the lookout for instructions or a heads-up from the ground crew. Effectively communicating with the ATC (Air Traffic Control) can immensely help pilots during their flight, especially when they want to take off or land. Listen to the ground staff and be on your best behaviour.
Additionally, sometimes when people are with family, they can get lost in the conversation but it's important to keep in mind that your primary role in the aircraft is to be a pilot which means that you will have to maintain your concentration during the entire flight. It's okay if you miss a conversation or if you aren’t fully involved with your family.
Make Memories and Have Fun
At the end of the day, keep the primary goal of your trip in mind: to give your family a trip that they will cherish forever.
Flying is usually a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many people. So, make sure that your family has a great time from take-off to landing. The entire purpose of your trip should be to have fun, so keep a light environment, and try to be present in the moment with your loved ones. Take them to the places that they want to visit and make sure that you pick beautiful scenic routes that they can photograph.
When you finally land back, make sure that you take feedback from your family. Ask them about their experience, what they liked, what they disliked, and what they would want to do during their next trip. We guarantee that this trip will bring everyone closer and will be a great story to tell years from now!
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 Victor Zhuk on Unsplash
