If you have been on the fence about joining an aero club for training, then read below to find the top 10 reasons to start your pilot training at Sherburn Aero Club.
Looking for the best pilot training school in Leeds? Sherburn Aero Club will fit the bill perfectly!
Flight schools play a key role in any pilot’s aviation journey. Unlike other academia, flight schools focus on practical as well as theoretical training and this training directly translates to your skill level and even job prospects when taking up a Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
If you have been on the fence about joining an aero club for training, then read below to find the top 10 reasons to start your pilot training at Sherburn Aero Club.
WHY YOU NEED PROFESSIONAL PILOT TRAINING
The aviation industry is highly standardised and follows strict protocols. Since the dawn of flight in the early 1900s, the aviation industry has seen a few key air disasters related to gaps in training, communication, and protocols.
These events not only allowed us to learn more about aviation and safety but to also build strict protocols going forward. Despite these unfortunate events, even in the earlier years, aviation remained one of the safest forms of travel which speaks of the level of scrutiny and standardisation emphasised in the field.
To implement these rules, a governing and regulating body was developed. In the UK, this governing body is called the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The CAA is responsible for highlighting the SOPs for all commercial and private pilots within the UK. Through the efforts of the CAA and the strict protocols followed by accredited flight schools, aviation has become a cornerstone for safety and continues to be the default and safest form of travel in the world.
This is why professional pilot training is of utmost importance. Flight schools not only provide training, but they also teach students about the dangers of flight, how to navigate issues while in the air, and how to develop the mindset to deal with unforeseen circumstances.
While pilot training is common, a flight school with veteran and extremely experienced instructors will provide a different level of training than your run-of-the-mill microlight training facility.
These flight schools focus on bespoke training and help develop intuition through the instructor's experience. This is why schools like Sherburn Aero Club are so coveted! They provide a range of highly professional pilot training services for commercial and private pilots who go on to become incredibly successful and capable aviators in the industry.
Every flight school has slightly separate curriculums for different types of pilot programmes. The two most popular types of flight training are for:
Commercial Pilots
A commercial pilot programme is geared toward people who want to take up aviation as a career. Commercial flight training allows pilots to monetise their service and use their training to pilot large aircraft, often carrying cargo and passengers. These pilots train to obtain a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) which is necessary for employment in a range of commercial activities. For example, CPL holders can be employed by small or major airlines and begin working as First Officers and work their way up to becoming a captain.
Compared to private pilot training, commercial flight training is more in-depth and intense, and has stricter requirements. This type of training is aimed at producing highly capable pilots who can operate according to the very high standards set by the CAA and global aviation authorities.
Private Pilots
Private pilot programmes are designed for candidates who only want to take aviation as a hobby and don’t want to pursue a career.
These hobbyists use their licenses to fly for leisure. Private pilots usually join clubs, like Sherburn Aero Club, so that they can connect with other aviators in the industry and enjoy the perks of the club like its fleet and amenities.
While private pilots don’t get to operate large aircraft like passenger jets due to limitations, they can still enjoy flight in a variety of lightweight aircraft! To become a private pilot, a candidate must get training to obtain a Private Pilot Licence (PPL).
In contrast to a CPL, getting a PPL is relatively easier since the curriculum for this flight programme isn’t as in-depth and you don’t need as many resources to fund your flight training. Make no mistake, though, as A PPL follows the same safety protocols as other pilot licenses so you can expect to be as professional as a CPL pilot.
Top 10 Reasons to Start Your Pilot Training at Sherburn Aero Club
If you aren’t sure whether Sherburn is the right choice for you, then here are the top 10 reasons to start your pilot training at Sherburn Aero Club:
Comprehensive Curriculum
Since Sherburn Aero Club is a full-fledged flight school, you can expect comprehensive training programmes. A flight school like this provides structured training that covers all aspects of aviation including theory and practical flight hours. The school also provides supporting training facilities to help students learn even more. For example, Sherburn has a state-of-the-art flight simulator for CPL candidates.
The school also provides a range of amenities and aircraft storage and maintenance services. You can even find helicopter training at Hields Aviation located inside Sherburn.
Veteran Instructors
A flight school is only as good as its instructors. Sherburn is proud to have a panel of extremely experienced instructors who have hundreds of flight hours under their belt. These instructors are either retired and highly successful aviators in the industry or are highly specialised flight instructors who have trained the best of the best in the industry.
Needless to say, if you train at Sherburn, you can be sure that the level of training that you get here will be on par with the top-flight schools in the world. Furthermore, Sherburn’s instructors individually focus on each candidate and assess their needs. This enables them to spot the candidate's strengths and work on their weaknesses more efficiently.
Aircraft Fleet
Having a diverse fleet is not only good but necessary for a full-fledged school. If you are looking for high-class training, then the best way to get the most out of your flight training is to train on a variety of aircraft.
Sherburn has an entire fleet of highly maintained light aircraft. The school also provides a fleet of microlights as well as helicopters thanks to its integration with Hields Aviation within the airfield.
From a Piper PA-28 Cadet and a Piper PA-28 Warrior to a Cessna 150 (2-seater), and even a Cessna 152 Aerobat (2-seater) – Sherburn truly has an aircraft for every type of training!
Internationally Accredited
Training at a top school like Sherburn allows for internationally recognised qualifications like the EASA or CAA pilot's license. This can not only enable you to become more competitive in global aviation, but it can also help you to easily integrate into any aviation industry around the globe.
Sherburn also has connections with top airliners that usually look for proficient candidates who can pilot the aircraft of tomorrow. These airliners connect with flight schools to tap into their candidate pool and sometimes even offer jobs to pilots before they even graduate.
Advanced Training
Whether it's advanced aerobatics or simulator training, Sherburn has you covered on all fronts. Thanks to its investment in faculty and facilities, the club has been able to provide an excellent level of training to all candidates for decades.
Advanced training can help candidates excel exponentially and realise their full potential. For example, if you go for a CPL at Sherburn, you can be sure to be trained according to the global and gold standards set by the CAA and other regulatory bodies. This will not only allow you to become highly competitive but will also give you an edge over other pilots.
Networking
Since Sherburn hosts several air events and is a beacon for top aviators in the industry, you can be sure to build your network as you go through your training programme. The club regularly hosts seminars, workshops, and events that can help you meet your heroes in aviation and connect with other like-minded pilots from around the country.
The events held at Sherburn are highly recognised and people from around the country visit the airfield to attend. This can give you an incredibly exciting opportunity to build a network that you can rely on and use later in your journey.
Range of Amenities
Sherburn recognises the need to balance the toughness of training with a range of amenities that are designed to help candidates relax, mingle, and share their experiences. This is why the club offers a café, a relaxation area, and a common area that candidates can use to unwind and take a break from their training.
These facilities may not seem like much, but they have an immense impact on the candidate's well-being. Training can be tough, which is why candidates must have these basic facilities to help them reset.
Furthermore, the club also offers a range of tertiary services as well like aircraft maintenance and hangarage which are highly necessary for people who own their own aircraft or want maintenance work done at the airfield without having to go anywhere else.
Licensing and Medical Assistance
Sherburn is proud to provide its candidates with several supporting services under one roof. Instead of going for third-party services around Leeds, the club offers a Certified Medical Examiner (CME) to help candidates obtain their medical certificates.
Private pilots require a Class 2 certificate while CPL candidates need to obtain a Class 1 certificate. A Class 2 certificate has relatively relaxed medical requirements while a Class 1 certificate requires the candidate to be in top condition, both mentally and physically.
Having a CME on-site can help candidates obtain their license more efficiently, and since there is a dedicated staff assigned to help in the licensing process, you can be sure to get your license as smoothly and quickly as possible.
Strict Focus on Regulation and Compliance
Sherburn takes compliance and regulations very seriously. This keen eye on regulations has allowed the school to consistently rank as one of the top schools in the UK. As mentioned above, compliance and regulations are important in maintaining safety.
Without these strict protocols, pilots can develop gaps in their training which can potentially expose them to serious issues in the future. This is why Sherburn believes that in order to keep the skies safe for everyone, rules and regulations must be followed at all times.
A Fun and Conducive Learning Environment
Aircraft piloting can be stressful, but if you have a fun and collaborative learning environment, then candidates can freely share ideas and exchange their experiences with instructors and their fellow students.
At Sherburn, candidates are encouraged to share learning breakthroughs and help out other students. This fosters an extremely conducive learning environment where everyone grows together instead of competing.
Sherburn puts a lot of emphasis on professional behaviour. Being a pilot is nothing short of an honour that very few have and being professional off and on the tarmac not only helps candidates develop a positive character but also rewires their mindset to be resilient, professional, and inspiring which in turn attracts even more people to aviation!
FLIGHT TRAINING CURRICULUM AT SHERBURN AERO CLUB
Pilots can expect to learn everything from navigation, meteorology, aircraft operations, communications, and much more. These subjects are specifically designed to teach pilots about the environment, the aircraft, and even their own limitations.
The depth of the curriculum depends on the type of pilot license you pursue. For example, a CPL programme requires candidates to master complex subjects in detail, like aerodynamics, navigation, meteorology, aircraft systems, aircraft and human limitations, etc. These subjects help develop the knowledge and intuition that can help these pilots when operating larger aircraft.
PPL and CPL candidates share the same curriculum with lots of overlaps but a key difference is that the subjects for PPL aren’t as dense and don’t cover as many aspects as CPL subjects.
Students for both programmes are expected to pass written and practical exams that cover all of these topics, and every candidate needs to obtain the minimum passing marks to move ahead in their training.
CPL candidates must fulfil the minimum requirement of 200 hours of flight time while PPL candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 hours. Keep in mind that these are the minimum flight hours required for each program and the total flight time requirements may vary depending on the school and curriculum structure.
WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB?
If you don’t know where to start, you need a flight school like Sherburn to guide you through the entire process of any type of flight programme.
With us, you can begin your aviation career or even 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.
With a large fleet of new aircraft and an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse, Sherburn caters 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.
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.
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 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!
Photo by Westwind Air Service on Unsplash
