Read on below to learn more about how to get started with recreational flying, the pros and cons of flying recreationally, and other factors to keep in mind!
Recreational flying is one of the best ways to get into aviation without fully committing to it. By going for a Private Pilot License (PPL) or an experience flight, anyone can fulfil their dream of soaring through the skies.
These experiences not only make it easier for the average Joe to learn the basics of aviation, but they can also open opportunities down the road. For example, if you decide to continue your journey and change your hobby into a profession, you can simply pick up training where you left off and even upgrade your PPL to a Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
Have you wanted to take up aviation as a hobby? If yes, then this comprehensive guide is just for you. Read on below to learn more about how to get started with recreational flying, the pros and cons of flying recreationally, and other factors to keep in mind!
PROS AND CONS OF FLYING RECREATIONALLY – GETTING STARTED
Flying recreationally is the perfect way for you to test the waters and determine if aviation is truly for you. While it may seem fun, aviation requires a lot of discipline, focus, training, and on top of everything, money.
Due to the costs associated with flying, it may be wise for you to first learn the pros and cons of getting started with recreational flying and what to look out for during your journey.
Here are some key pros and cons of flying recreationally:
Pros
Incredibly Fulfilling
Humanity has been obsessed with cracking the code of flight since the dawn of time. We used to look up in the skies and watch birds fly and wonder if humans would ever get the chance to do the same.
Thanks to modern science and the ingenuity of incredibly smart people over the centuries, this dream is now a reality, and air travel has become the default way people traverse the globe.
Learning to fly is very fulfilling and is an activity that almost everyone has on their bucket list. So, if you are the type of person who enjoys a challenge and wants to experience pure thrills, then aviation might just be for you.
For many people, learning to fly can easily offset the cost and long hours of training, and the opportunities this skill unlocks are more than enough to make it a great investment!
Fun to Fly
Time flies when you are having fun, and this holds extremely true for learning to fly. If you genuinely enjoy taking up challenges and skills, then you are bound to have a lot of fun in aviation.
Sure, learning a new skill can be nerve-wracking, but once you begin, you are bound to come out the other side a changed person! Aviation is truly fun, and the community makes it even better.
The aviation community is vibrant, friendly, and highly welcoming – and the friends you make along the way are just part of the perks.
Furthermore, by flying recreationally, you don’t have to have the burden of worrying about professional responsibility. Since you will only be flying to fulfil your dreams, you will be able to enjoy aviation to the fullest!
Globally Recognised Skill
Even if you pick up aviation for recreational flying, it is still an incredibly useful, fun, and engaging skill to learn – and one that is globally recognised across all cultures.
No matter where you go, with a valid license, you can enjoy flying anywhere in the world! Additionally, you can also connect with other pilots across different counties and countries.
Aviation training also instils a level of professionalism and grooming that is seldom found in other fields. When you meet a trained pilot, you will immediately recognise their calm and alluring demeanour. These characteristics are part of the training and even if you fly recreationally, you will likely become a changed person by the end of your training.
Share your Skills
When you learn to fly, you can share your skills and enthusiasm with your friends and family – and even better, you can take them with you on trips as well! This is part of the allure of learning to fly since it grants you the ultimate convenience and independence.
Furthermore, the aviation community is full of people who fly recreationally, so you are bound to meet, communicate, and share ideas with like-minded people.
Flight clubs, like Sherburn Aero Club, are perfect for this because they provide the infrastructure, faculty, and facilities to help you learn how to fly recreationally – and if you want to upgrade your skills and take it to the next level, you can simply pick up where you left off and become an even more capable pilot.
Cons
Cost-Intensive
What stops people from flying? Well, it is not the fear of flying as much it is the cost. Anyone can train themselves out of their fear of flight and take up a new challenge, but it can be difficult to pursue a skill when you simply don’t have the resources.
Aviation is an expensive field, and the sheer infrastructure and costs associated with this industry mean that some of the costs have to be pushed onto the students and pilots. This is why learning to fly is perhaps one of the most expensive skills to learn.
From aircraft and airfield costs, training and licence fees, exam fees, and much more, there is a lot to keep up with, which is why you must set a budget for this skill before enrolling in a flight school.
The good news is that many aero clubs, including Sherburn Aero Club, do understand this barrier, which is why they offer grants, scholarships, discounts, and more to allow people to fly with ease.
Even then, it would be wise for you to first figure out if you can spare a good portion of your savings to invest in this skill.
Takes Time
Every skill takes time, however, due to the number of regulations and strictness surrounding aviation training, learning to fly recreationally can be time-consuming.
If you think that you can enrol in a flight school and learn to fly within a month, then you would be mistaken. While experience flights can allow you to book a flight and fly with a trained instructor, you will have to invest a lot of time and money if you want to take up solo flying.
There are no shortcuts in aviation training. Once you get started, you will have to go through a process that is designed to make you a better and responsible pilot.
For example, if you go with a PPL, you will have to take exams, pay all the necessary fees, go through medical requirements, and prove your skills before obtaining a license. This not only takes time but also requires a solid mindset to help you finish what you started!
Recreational Flying May be Risky
Aviation, despite being one of the safest forms of travel, is still risky. This is the inherent nature of this field! There are a lot of variables to take into account – but with regulations, policies, and training, pilots can minimise this risk. However, the risk isn’t ever zero!
Flying isn’t the same as other skills that are relatively low risk. You need to keep in mind that you will be flying an aircraft hundreds of feet above ground, alone, and with nothing but your skills to rely on. So, yes, there are risks to flying recreationally!
The good news is that by putting in the time and effort into training, you can substantially reduce your risks and become a capable pilot!
Stress Inducing
Learning to fly isn’t like other hobbies like reading books, watching TV, hiking, or learning to play an instrument. This is a serious business with risks and a high cost. All of these factors can lead to stress!
For many people, flying can seem like an overwhelming skill, but if you are passionate enough and if you enrol in a high-quality flight school like Sherburn Aero Club, you can learn to manage this stress and develop a resilient mindset that can help you through training.
WHAT LICENCE DO YOU NEED TO FLY RECREATIONALLY?
Just like you would require a license to operate a typical vehicle, you also need a license to fly an aircraft. In the UK, pilot licences are awarded by the Civil Aviation Authority.
These licenses can be divided into two primary categories:
The first license is called a general pilot license and is ideal for recreational flying. Private Pilot Licenses are generally the go-to license for pilots who want to take up aviation as a hobby. This license has relatively lower requirements and an easier curriculum.
However, make no mistake, a PPL still requires the same level of determination, focus, and training to minimise the risk associated with flying. Furthermore, you will have to follow all the guidelines and policies set by the CAA regardless of the type of license you hold.
The second type is a commercial pilot license. This license is for pilots who want to take up a career in aviation. A CPL has stricter requirements and requires pilots to go through rigorous training.
A commercial pilot license also enables the commercialisation of your skills. In other words, you can use your skills to get hired for aviation-related jobs and earn from flying.
If you are solely after recreational flying and the thrills of aviation without much of the typical job and career responsibilities, then you will require a general license.
TYPES OF GENERAL AVIATION LICENCES
Private Pilot Licence (PPL):
A Private Pilot Licence (PPL), is the most common type of general pilot license in the world. This license is perfect for pilots who want to fly recreationally and don’t want to be tied down to career commitments.
To obtain a PPL, you will need to enrol in a flight school and fulfil the ground and flight training requirements. You will also need to obtain pilot medicals (Class 2 certificate) which are more relaxed for private pilots than for commercial pilots.
A PPL typically requires 45 hours of flight training. 10 hours out of the 45 must be of solo flight time, while the rest can be via dual instruction with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI).
A cross-country flight totalling at least 270 km is also necessary. Candidates will also need to take theoretical exams on various subjects, ranging from navigation, human limitations, meteorology, air law, aerodynamics, and more. A score of 75% is needed to clear the exams.
You also have the choice to build on your private license by getting additional certifications such as the Night Rating which allows them to fly after dark and the Instrument Rating which enables pilots to fly using nothing but the data from the onboard instruments.
Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL)
The Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) is an even more relaxed general license that enables enthusiasts to only fly light aircraft.
A LAPL is designed for people who only want to take up the bare basics of aviation. This can also be ideal for recreational flying as a typical LAPL only requires 12 hours of flight time. The minimum age to get a PPL and LAPL is 17 years.
Light Aircraft Pilot Licences come in different forms, and each depends on the type of aircraft you wish to fly. For example, LAPL (A) is for aeroplane operation, LAPL (B) is for flying balloons, LAPL (H) is for helicopters, and LAPL (S) is for sailplanes.
NOTE: PPL and LAPL holders are only allowed to fly either light aircraft (flex/fixed-wing aircraft) or microlights. Due to training limitations, you will be more limited in aircraft choice with a LAPL than a regular PPL. However, with additional training, you can learn to fly and master various aircraft.
HOW MUCH DO FLYING LESSONS COST?
Here is a breakdown of the average cost of learning how to fly recreationally:
Light Aircraft Pilot License (LAPL)
- Ground School & Exams: £500 - £1,000
- Flight Training: £6,000 - £8,000
- Medical Examination: £150 - £200
- License Application Fee: £200 - £250
Total Estimated Cost: £6,850 - £9,450
Private Pilot License (PPL)
- Ground School & Exams: £1,000 - £1,500
- Flight Training: £10,000 - £15,000
- Medical Examination: £200 - £300
- License Application Fee: £200 - £250
Total Estimated Cost: £11,400 - £17,050
For experience flights, you can fly an aeroplane recreationally with a trained instructor. These flights are great for people who want a one-time experience with loved ones. They are offered by top aero clubs like Sherburn Aero Club, and you can book your experience flight at your own convenience.
A typical 30-minute flight on a Piper PA28 will cost £150 while a 90-minute flight can cost up to £388.
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.
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 recreational flying, the Private Pilot Licence, as well as the training facilities, fleet, and airfield available at Sherburn.
Photo by Pietro Donà on Unsplash
