Simply put, an aeroclub is a social organisation where aviation lovers, from pilots to engineers to model-builders.
Flying, while increasingly rewarding, can be a bit daunting as well. Due to the amount of training required and the investment involved in owning and maintaining an aeroplane, it can become a bit of an overwhelming hobby.
In times when you feel a bit all over the place, a community of like-minded individuals who love flying as much as you do may be an absolute game-changer. That’s where aeroclubs come in! A staple for pilots all over the world, aeroclubs allow flying enthusiasts to mingle with and learn from others within the business, providing some great insights and hacks to navigate the world of aviation.
If you are on the fence about opting for a career in flying or if you want to pursue aviation as a hobby and are afraid of it being an isolating pursuit, then aeroclubs are the perfect place for you!
Getting a membership is fairly simple, and the benefits enjoyed are a bit too good for any pilot to miss. If you wish to find out more about memberships at places such as Sherburn Aero Club, here’s a complete breakdown of the costs and benefits involved.
There’s something out there for every kind of aviation lover, and you’ll be sure to find the right fit for you to help kickstart your aviation journey or help you build your flying skills even further!
WHAT IS AN AEROCLUB?
Simply put, an aeroclub is a social organisation where aviation lovers, from pilots to engineers to model-builders, gather to discuss their shared passion for flying. Aeroclubs can also be referred to as flying clubs, both of which essentially mean the same thing.
However, it is essential to note that not all aeroclubs have the same kind of structure and benefits, and the features of an aeroclub can vary from one to the other. In this article, we will mainly be speaking about the kind of features that clubs such as Sherburn Aero Club have to offer their members.
There’s something for every kind of aviation enthusiast at an aeroclub, and you can trust that you will find like-minded people to share your thoughts about flying with. There are many aeroclubs worldwide, and you will see how membership can benefit you both at home and abroad. Read on to find out the unique pros of joining an aeroclub such as Sherburn!
WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN AN AEROCLUB
Access to a great community
Flying, while thrilling and so much fun, isn’t all too common when it comes to hobbies. This is mainly due to the amount of training and the investment, both of your time and finances, the hobby requires. This can make aviation lovers feel rather isolated, at a loss for a community of similar-minded people with whom they can discuss flying. This is where aeroclubs come in!
Not only do you get to share your love of flying, but you can also learn from the experience of the diverse community of pilots and other aviation professionals at your disposal.
Aeroclubs such as Sherburn usually have a clubhouse where pilots (and their families!) can relax and unwind when they aren’t flying. The clubhouse is home to a restaurant and bar so that you can talk about flying over a pint of beer or a delicious meal.
Sharpening your skills
The biggest upside to having access to such a diverse community of aviation industry insiders and pilots means that you have a treasure trove of knowledge at your disposal that you can’t get from just training! Learn from senior pilots who have been flying for decades, as well as younger pilots who are up-to-date with all the newest developments in the world of aviation.
Also, a healthy dose of competition can do wonders for you when it comes to sharpening your skills! Being surrounded by accomplished pilots is sure to make you want to do better as a pilot yourself. You can access training facilities within the club, with simulators as well as established Certified Flight Instructors (CFI) helping you to reach your flying goals.
There’s something for pilots at every stage, from beginners who have never flown an aircraft before all the way to advanced pilots who are hoping to add a few more ratings to their already decorated pilot licence.
Buying and selling aircraft without hassle
When it comes to buying or selling aircraft, you’ll find that the world is full of scammers or those looking to make some quick money off of faulty equipment and not well-maintained aircraft.
For this reason, you need to be sure that the aeroplane you are looking to purchase is in good condition and is being sold to you at an honest price. This is where aeroclubs come in. At aeroclubs such as Sherburn, pilots can both sell and buy aircraft that have been vetted by our experienced flight engineers, which means you can rest assured that the aircraft you are looking to buy won’t disappoint!
You can easily access the marketplace at your aeroclub website and find it regularly updated with offers for private or shared ownership of well-maintained aircraft that you won’t regret buying!
Ease of aircraft maintenance
Simply put, an aeroclub is a social organisation where aviation lovers, from pilots to engineers to model-builders
As mentioned already, in-house engineers have you covered when it comes to all of your aircraft maintenance needs! You’ll have access to the certified aircraft engineers who are stationed at the aeroclub’s engineering facility, ready to help you if you ever need your aircraft serviced or checked for any issues.
You won’t have to go from one vendor to another when it comes to finding the right fit for your aircraft, with the engineers at the club guaranteed to help you fix whatever issues you may be having with your aircraft!
Access to a variety of aircraft
Do you want to try out different types of aircraft to see which one is the best fit for you? Unless you have an exorbitant sum of money in your bank account, chances are you won’t be able to purchase every single one to try out before making up your mind.
Getting stuck with an aircraft that does not sufficiently fit your needs and wants can be quite a hassle and can leave you disappointed. For this reason, you must try your hand at different aeroplanes to figure out which one is best suited to you.
Most aeroclubs have a fleet of aircraft that they provide to their members on an hourly basis, with the fares being fairly low and affordable. You can easily fly a variety of different aircraft through the club’s fleet, allowing you to make an informed decision when it comes to actually purchasing an aircraft.
If you are someone who does not fly all that frequently or is not interested in taking on the responsibility of maintaining an aircraft, you can simply use the aeroplanes already stationed at the club.
Saving money
Shared responsibility for aircraft maintenance, the ability to try different aircraft out, and access to world-class engineers all mean that you end up saving quite a bit of money in the long run.
The fact that you can get aircraft for hire without purchasing one means aviation becomes accessible to a wider variety of people. You can speak to experienced pilots before making any decisions related to your aircraft or flying techniques for guaranteed good results at a lower cost. It’s always best to consult those who are advanced in the field before making any major decisions, which can end up saving you a lot of trouble and money!
Most aeroclubs such as Sherburn are also member-owned, which means the money you pay in order to secure and maintain membership is ultimately used to serve your own aviation-related needs!
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
There are so many benefits of getting a membership to an aeroclub, and there’s something for every kind of aviation enthusiast available! Clubs like Sherburn aim to provide a holistic and fruitful experience for their members, making sure that all of their aviation-related needs are met and satisfied.
In order to get a breakdown of what exactly the benefits of a membership at a club such as Sherburn Aero Club are, read on!
Pilot training
Are you new to the world of aviation and aren’t sure whether you want to make the commitment? If you are on the fence about getting your Private Pilot Licence (PPL), which is a great entry point into the flying profession, then you may want to experience the thrill of flight for yourself before making the decision.
Clubs such as Sherburn offer experience flights for individuals who have absolutely no prior flight experience, allowing them to pilot an aircraft with the help of a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI).
This is a perfectly safe way to explore aviation. If you are willing to take the next step and want to apply for your pilot licence, you will need access to a training facility with top-of-the-line CFIs, aircraft, and learning environment.
This is where aero clubs come in! Sherburn has a dedicated pilot training facility, through which beginners going on to apply for their licence fill up their logbook with the needed flight hours.
Once you have your PPL in hand, you can take to the skies with ease whenever you wish!
Club’s fleet
If you are in love with flying but don’t have an aircraft of your own and you aren’t in a position to invest in a private (or shared) aeroplane, you can rest assured that the aeroclub’s fleet will be available to you!
Sherburn houses a well-maintained fleet of several light aircraft perfect for training and hobby flying! These include the Piper PA 28 Warrior, Piper PA 28 Cadet, the Aero AT-3, as well as the Robin 2160. These are industry-standard aircraft, so you won't have to worry about lagging behind when it comes to your flying career!
Flight simulator
If you would like to practice flying while having your feet firmly planted on the ground, a flight simulator is the way to go! Aeroclubs have flight simulators available for members to use, with Sherburn even having a Flight Simulator group!
Flight simulators are a great way to practice flying in dangerous situations, without the added stress and safety hazard of actually flying into unfavourable conditions such as bad weather. They can also be used to familiarise yourself with various airfields that you are yet to visit. As a pilot, it is always good to be prepared, so making sure you are familiar with the airfield you are flying to is of primary importance.
You can also practice emergency landings and mayday calls through the simulator, allowing you to know exactly what to do if the situation ever arises mid-flight!
Pilot medicals
Most aeroclubs like Sherburn have an in-house certified medical examiner who can help you get your pilot medicals sorted and make sure your certificates are up to date. Having the facility in the club makes it easier and saves members the hassle of having to contact doctors via a third party, which may or may not be all that trustworthy or affordable.
All you have to do is book an appointment beforehand, and you’ll be all set for an evaluation courtesy of a licenced physician. Pilot medicals are one of the most important aspects of getting your licence, and it is important to undergo a thorough check-up become investing in aviation to ensure that you are fit to fly.
Fun activities
Do you want to fly to France but don’t want to go alone? Why not ask some of your pilot buddies at the club and take off together? Aeroclubs arrange many fun activities such as group flights and various in-house events that make for great fun and a wonderful opportunity to socialise!
MEMBERSHIP TYPES AND COSTS
Flying membership
At GBP 198 per year, this is the perfect option for pilots who are looking to regularly use the club to fly aeroplanes, belonging either to the club’s fleet or their private aircraft. You will also have full access to training facilities through this option.
Flying membership (Under 18)
For those looking to get a head start on their flying career, the under 18 membership is perfect. It has the same benefits as the regular flying membership, only at a discounted rate of GBP 144 per year!
Social membership
At GBP 25 per year, this is great for those aviation enthusiasts who aren’t interested in flying their own aircraft. You’ll have access to the clubhouse and the social facilities available in the aeroclub.
Day membership
Only GBP 5 per year, this membership gives you a day pass to the club’s facilities.
WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB?
Sherburn Aero Club opened its doors in 1964 and went on to become one of the largest flying clubs in the North of England and also one of the largest in the country.
The flying club opened a flight training school in the 1970s which was followed by several major investments including a large fleet of new aircraft and an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse.
Being both a flying club and a flight training school, we are well-positioned to cater to our members and their friends and families, before, during, and after they become qualified pilots.
We aim to give all of our members a fun social environment whilst providing the opportunity to continue to build on their experience and expand their horizons.
Whether you are taking to the skies for an experience flight or starting your flying career, Sherburn has it all to offer.
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 aero clubs in the North of England as well as membership options at Sherburn Aero Club.
Photo by Victor Zhuk on Unsplash
