If you have been planning on visiting some of these flight schools, then this guide is just for you. In this guide, we will focus on the best places to visit when travelling to Buckinghamshire via private aircraft, some tips and tricks to get the most out of your trip, and a list of the best aero clubs in Buckinghamshire.
Buckinghamshire has played a vital role in pushing aviation forward and has been contributing to aviation since the early days of flight. Owing to its rich history and love for aviation, today there are several high-class flight schools located all around Buckinghamshire!
If you have been planning on visiting some of these flight schools, then this guide is just for you. In this guide, we will focus on the best places to visit when travelling to Buckinghamshire via private aircraft, some tips and tricks to get the most out of your trip, and a list of the best aero clubs in Buckinghamshire.
History of Aviation and Buckinghamshire
A beautiful country in Southeast England, Buckinghamshire has played an active role in aviation since the very beginning. In fact, during the 20th century, several aviation pioneers arose from this region. These pioneers were one of the first people to experiment with various aircraft.
Although Buckinghamshire isn’t credited with the first manned flight in history, there is no doubt that the progress in engineering and the technology researched and developed helped pave the way to the first flight.
A lot of people solely credit the Wright brothers for inventing the first aircraft, however, the truth is far from that. Aviation is and always has been a collective endeavour that has involved the work of not just individuals but entire communities.
For example, during the 18th century, French engineers were focused on making vertical take-offs possible. Of course, this meant that their focus was solely set on making hot air balloons rather than traditional aircraft. However, this initial practical interest in aviation led the way to the Wright brothers' first aircraft!
The engineering community in Paris was completely committed to making hot air balloon technology possible and it wasn’t until the 1780s that they finally cracked the code of hot air balloon flight. It turns out that to make this technology possible, engineers had to combine several branches of science.
For example, physics, specifically, Bernoulli's principle was explored. The principle states that air is like a fluid in nature, therefore it can be manipulated using various methods. Bernoulli's principle also states that an increase in the speed of fluid leads to a decrease in pressure – this part of the principle will come in handy later during the 19th century!
After a lot of experimentation, several engineers in Paris had come up with a viable plan for building and operating a hot air balloon; and in 1783, the Montgolfier brothers became the first people to make the dream of flight a reality.
This progress directly led to the invention of controllable and more efficient aircraft technology, and it also allowed scientists to develop a more unified and accurate theory for fluid dynamics, and more importantly, aerodynamics.
Engineers kept on making further progress during the 19th and 20th centuries until in 1903, the Wright brothers successfully took their first manned flight in a fixed-wing aircraft.
Just a few years later, many independent aircraft manufacturers started to pop up and the industry truly blew after the unfortunate events of World War I. Buckinghamshire’s aviation community was one of the few at the time that were actively working on making aviation more accessible. Enthusiasts around Buckinghamshire began investing heavily in airfields, aero clubs, and aircraft technology.
The Birth of Modern Aviation in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire proved to be a key strategic location for the military during World War I. This is when the military began establishing multiple airfields around the region to support war efforts. The local aviation scene also saw a huge bump around that time because the increase in aviation also led to more aircraft – and spare parts which were used by enthusiasts to build their own light aircraft too.
The increase in demand for pilots also led to the steady development of aviation schools around the region. After World War II, Buckinghamshire already had a strong foundation in aviation, and it didn’t take long for commercial operations to pop up as well.
During the 1950s, Buckinghamshire had several aero clubs around the county and the local aviation scene was highly prosperous with many clubs also hosting various aviation-related events around the year.
Around the 1990s, Buckinghamshire had become one of the best places to learn how to fly due to its favourable weather conditions, friendly atmosphere, and jaw-dropping beautiful landscapes. Today, Buckinghamshire serves as a great place to network and for private pilots to meet other enthusiastic aviators.
Important Tips When Travelling
Buckinghamshire is relatively closer to Sherburn at just 200 miles. However, when travelling in a private aircraft, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind before embarking on your trip.
Here are some important tips to remember before and while travelling in a light aircraft:
Planning the Trip
Trip planning seems like a very basic step, but in aviation, you need to develop an extensive flight plan if you want to travel to another county. Although Sherburn to Buckinghamshire will be a relatively short trip, every pilot should spend a few hours perfecting their flight plan.
A flight plan is an essential document in aviation that allows pilots to list every detail about their trip. The primary purpose of a flight plan is to reduce the number of unknowns and minimise any risks associated with your trip.
Flight plans can include information about the terrain, routes, timing, budgeting, and much more. The more comprehensive your flight plan, the more likely you are to enjoy your trip without worrying about unforeseen circumstances.
For example, a detailed flight plan can include multiple contingencies that address these emergency circumstances. If you run into bad weather, then you can refer to the flight plan to pick an alternative route. A flight plan can also help keep you up to date with the maintenance status of your aircraft. Always make sure that your aircraft has fulfilled all the maintenance requirements and thoroughly inspect the aircraft before departure to avoid problems.
Additionally, it is also a great practice to keep your documents updated. Failure to produce valid documents can lead to penalties and other issues which can cause you to remain grounded!
Making Reservations
Before you even take off, every pilot needs to make sure that they have made the proper reservations before landing at another aero club. The truth is that every aero club has different policies and traffic conditions. This is why it is important for private pilots to call the aero clubs that they want to visit in advance.
During the call, you can ask the staff at the aero club about their availability and the traffic or weather conditions. It is also a good idea to bring up landing fees or other specific policies for visitors. Please keep in mind that some flight schools might have strict and very specific policies regarding noise or landing procedures. You must become well-versed with these policies to avoid any issues.
Budgeting and Managing Expectations
Thoroughly invest time in making a foolproof budget for your trip. Please keep in mind that there are several fees and costs associated with travelling to another county. Firstly, make all the fuel calculations and keep room for a few redundancies. This way, you can effectively come up with a budget for your fuel expenses and account for emergencies too.
If you are new to budgeting, then we highly recommend that you talk to your flight instructor or other experienced and senior pilots to figure out the right fuel requirements for your trip. Another great practice is to keep a miscellaneous budget for food and perhaps even accommodation.
However, please note that not every flight school may offer a full range of amenities which means that you will need to curb your expectations and carefully pick the right flight school that fulfils all your requirements. Meeting places like a café or restaurant can be crucial for pilots who want to travel for networking purposes.
Similarly, you might also have to account for additional accommodation expenses if you plan to stay at an aeroclub for more than a day. In rare cases, you might also have to extend your stay due to bad weather or air restrictions which is why it is important that you keep just a bit more cash on you to account for these types of emergencies.
Best Aero Clubs in Buckinghamshire to Fly to From Sherburn
Here are some of the best aero clubs that you can visit in Buckinghamshire:
Halton Aero Club
Halton Aero Club (HAC) is one of the most prominent and oldest aeroclubs in the county. Home to the Royal Air Force (RAF), this aero club provides not just great services for pilot training, but it is also an important part of Buckinghamshire’s history. The airfield has been providing pilot training since the early 1920s and has been a pivotal institution for aviation in Buckinghamshire.
If you plan to visit the county, then there is no better place to start than here. Not only will you get access to a range of amenities and high-class services, but the aerodrome at Halton Aero Club is also known to be one of the best in the region.
We highly recommend that you visit here first and then chart a course for other aero clubs around the airport!
RAF Finmere
RAF Finmere is another excellent airfield in Buckinghamshire that is known for its role during World War I. Since this airfield was also operated and used by the military, it is built on a large area and is perfect for leisure flying purposes. While the aerodrome has been inactive for many decades, it has become a popular visiting place for many private pilots.
In fact, the airfield is so popular that it also has a bit of history in pop culture. For example, a runway in the airfield was used to film the famous plane crash scene in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice.
Denham Aerodrome
If you are looking for a quintessential airfield in Buckinghamshire, then we highly recommend that you visit Denham Aerodrome. This aerodrome has been active for decades. Reports suggest that the aerodrome began operations around 1915 and was extensively used to train pilots to fight in the war. The military interest in the region and the involvement of the Royal Air Force allowed Denham to prosper throughout the war years.
However, after the war, the aerodrome quickly shifted its focus to public and commercial operations. Today, it provides a haven for private pilots and is one of the best flight schools in the region. The aerodrome not only provides a list of basic amenities but is also known for its jaw-dropping aerial views and favourable weather conditions.
Booker Aviation
Located in Booker, Buckinghamshire, Booker Aviation is one of the premier flight schools in the county. With a fleet of 20 aircraft, this is truly the best place for private pilots to visit. The aeroclub also provides access to clear skies and is a great place for pilots to just meet up and talk about aviation.
The school features an extensive list of amenities and offers both private and commercial pilot training. If you plan on visiting here, then we highly recommend that you make prior reservations. This airfield is known for its high activity, which is why it can be difficult to book a spot for your aircraft but if you do decide to visit, you will not be disappointed.
Booker Aviation is also known to host several aviation-related events, so if you want to experience the best of what Buckinghamshire has to offer, then we suggest visiting this aero club during an air event!
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 Nabeel Hussain on Unsplash
