In this guide, we will be taking a deep dive into the role of aero clubs, the history of Cambridgeshire in aviation, and how this county has solidified its reputation as one of the best places for aviation in the country.
Cambridgeshire has been part of aviation history since the first flight in 1903. Located in East England, the county is home to not just several top-tier aero clubs, but it is also home to a prospering aerospace industry that is pushing the envelope of what is possible in aviation.
In this guide, we will be taking a deep dive into the role of aero clubs, the history of Cambridgeshire in aviation, and how this county has solidified its reputation as one of the best places for aviation in the country.
What are Aero Clubs?
You might have heard the terms “aero club” and “flight school” when talking about flight training – but are they two different things?
Not really! Aero clubs and flight schools are two sides of the same coin. Let us explain!
Flight schools are essentially places where pilots train and meet other pilots. Flight schools have become the norm in almost every country with aviation operations, even on a small scale. Due to the immense popularity of aviation and the steady rise in demand for commercial pilots, you will find a flight school in almost every major city.
These schools are the face of aviation. The school administration works closely with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to develop strict training programmes for pilots. However, teaching isn’t just the only way flight schools make money. With so much real estate required for aviation training, it is only fair that the school would use its property for commercial purposes as well.
This is where the term “aero club” comes in. See, apart from teaching, most flight schools also open their gates for established private pilots. The thing about aviation is that many people pursue it for leisure purposes and only take up aviation as a hobby. This means that once they graduate from flight school, they seldom look for commercial work. Instead, they would rather keep their private license and fly planes just for fun.
This is why most flight schools also offer a space for pilots to just have fun – and this is where the term aero club is used the most. Aero clubs can be thought of as fan clubs where enthusiasts meet and fly planes together.
This is a win-win situation for flight schools because they get to extend their services, earn more money, and attract even more people to aviation. Aero clubs can be found all around the world. They can either be privately owned, or they can also have public access.
In most cases, you would commonly find aero clubs in major airports. This is a smart way to promote aviation because opening an independent aero club can be extremely costly and you would require quite a lot of real estate just to get started.
By using the infrastructure of established airports, aero clubs can take advantage of the available amenities and attract more candidates from nearby towns.
Picking the Right Aero Club
If you want to learn how to fly, then you have to start at a great aero club. The easiest way to determine the quality of an aero club is to look at their team. If the Aero Club has veteran flight instructors with hours of logged flights, then you are in safe hands.
Keep in mind that aviation requires a lot of practical training, and while there is quite a lot of theory attached to this field, the only way to be better in aviation is to practice and gain more experience.
The second factor to look for is its range of services. Most flight schools offer basic training where you just show up at a scheduled time, meet with the instructor, and begin training either in a class with other students or individually depending on what you are training for.
Private and commercial pilots share more or less the same training material when it comes to theoretical knowledge. However, both training programmes are quite different and have different requirements when it comes to practical training.
For example, commercial pilot training requires extensive flight hours and has a range of specialised training modules like Night Rating, Instrument Rating, Simulator training, and more. A Commercial Pilot License (CPL) also requires more thorough and extensive theoretical knowledge as well.
If you don’t know where to start, then we highly recommend that you first make a list of your top choices for flight schools in your area. Then visit the website of each aero club (or call them) and gather information about their services, costs, fleet, requirements, and amenities.
You can then do a quick comparative analysis by weighing the pros and cons of each flight school. We suggest that you set a weightage for each pro and con. For example, if you want to pursue aviation as a hobby, then you would want to go for a Private Pilot License (PPL).
In this case, you would give more weightage to the experience of the instructor, the costs, and the available fleet instead of emphasising on simulator training. Another thing to keep in mind is the added amenities at the flight school.
Some people like a more traditional learning environment that shares similarities to a college campus where you would have a common area for people to meet and a café. While most major flight schools offer these added services, you might not find them at some “smaller operation” clubs.
However, just like with the other services we listed above, you can assign a weightage to these added services too when comparing flight schools. Using this strategy, you can easily narrow down your choices and pick the best school for your needs!
Cambridgeshire – Pushing the Boundaries in Aviation
Like many of the surrounding counties, Cambridgeshire saw a huge boom in its local aviation scene during both World Wars. During the First World War, the military invested heavily in the county and established several airfields that would aid in the war efforts in the surrounding regions.
Cambridgeshire became a hub for the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the 1910s and saw the establishment of not just military airfields, but also a range of flight schools. The primary objective was simple: the Air Force needed more capable pilots, and the only way to do that was to invest in aviation infrastructure that would train and develop competent next-generation pilots.
This strategy was a success as within a few years Cambridgeshire saw a huge boost in the public interest for aviation. In fact, it was common for many people to relocate to Cambridgeshire just for their flight training programmes. After the First World War and the success of the RAF, the military doubled down their investment and quickly established the county as one of the most important hubs of aviation in the region.
An example of an important airfield would be RAF Duxford, which is now the Imperial War Museum Duxford. This location was prized for its favourable weather conditions and its ideal surroundings which made it the perfect place for aviation operations.
Cambridgeshire and Modern Aviation
Since Cambridgeshire had deep roots in aviation history and due to its already strong foundation in aviation infrastructure, investors heavily injected money into the county to further develop its aviation industry.
Today, Cambridgeshire is home to not just aviation companies, but it has also managed to develop a high-tech aerospace industry. There are not just one but several aerospace companies in the county along with several research institutions as well.
You can also easily find many aircraft design and manufacturing companies around the county, which makes Cambridgeshire an excellent hub for not just casual private pilots, but also experienced pilots and aviation engineers who want to meet and connect with other enthusiastic and professional pilots.
The county also has a world-class airport which serves as a hub for a significant portion of aviation operations in the region. The airport is home to several flight clubs and is one of the best places for private pilots to visit!
Best Aero Clubs in Cambridgeshire to Fly to from Sherburn
Here are some of the best aero clubs in Cambridgeshire that you can visit when flying from Sherburn:
Cambridgeshire Microlight Club
The Cambridgeshire Microlight Club (CMC) is a popular aero club located inside Sutton Meadows Airfield. This aero club has been operational for decades and has been one of the most popular locations for light aircraft pilots.
If you want to experience the clear blue skies and the majestic landscapes of Cambridgeshire, then we highly recommend that you make a stop here. Please keep in mind that the club requires visitors to make prior arrangements before landing. We recommend that you visit the club’s website to learn about their specific policies, costs, availability, and more.
Chatteris Airfield
Chatteris is a privately owned airfield located in Cambridgeshire. The airfield is known for its no-frills approach and provides an ideal spot for powered light aircraft. The club is famous for parachuting operations – and as such, you must acquaint yourself with all of the policies of the club to avoid issues. The airfield has limited amenities but since it’s a place where only aviation enthusiasts meet up, it is an excellent place for pilots to network and fly together.
Cambridge Aero Club
The Cambridge Aero Club (CAC) is perhaps one of the defining aero clubs in the county. If you want an extraordinary flying experience, then we highly recommend that you visit here. Cambridge Aero Club is conveniently located inside Cambridge Airport, which means that you don’t have to worry about a lack of amenities.
The aero club provides top-tier training for private and commercial pilots, which is why we think it is the best place in Cambridgeshire for pilots to meet and fly! The airport is surrounded by rich greenery and a few geographical features. The best part is that the aero club provides access to a wide range of light aircraft at a competitive fee!
Cambridge Airport
Cambridge Airport, located in Cambridge city centre, is one of the best places to visit for anyone new to Cambridgeshire. The airport is designed to be state-of-the-art, and it is an excellent place for not just commercial pilots but for general aviators too.
The airport is home to several aero clubs, including Cambridge Aero Club mentioned above. Every flight school at the airport offers something different. For example, the Cambridge Flying Group (CFG) offers a nostalgic ride in the iconic Tiger Moth aircraft. Similarly, the Mid-Anglia School of Flying offers a fun and affordable flight training experience that is unmatched.
Flying Club Conington
Flying Club Conington (FCC) is the highest-rated flight school in Cambridgeshire. Located in Peterborough Business Airport, this aero club is one of the friendliest and most helpful places for people who want to learn how to fly. All of its reviews are positive, and it is no wonder that this is one of the most visited flight schools in the county.
What is even better is the ideal location of this flight school – and the club offers access to a range of light aircraft that you can fully enjoy during clear weather, which is quite typical in the area!
While not too heavy on the amenities, the airfield does provide food and drink services in its café which is open for all members and visitors. Just like with other flight schools, we recommend that you call the club beforehand and inquire about its updated services in detail. Due to high traffic, you might need to carefully schedule your arrival. The good news is that the staff is very accommodating so you will rarely face any issues during your trip.
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 Chris Boland on ChrisBoland.com
