Now that you know how to plan your trip to Cheshire, let’s take a look at some of the best flight schools that you can visit in the county.
Planning the perfect trip from Sherburn to Cheshire? Then this guide is just for you. Cheshire is a prospering county in Northwest England that is also home to several high-quality aero clubs.
However, before you embark on your journey, there are a couple of things that you will need to keep in mind to make the most out of this trip. In this guide, we will cover the basics of short-distance flights, how to plan your trip, what to look out for in Cheshire, and the best aeroclubs in the county!
Travelling to Cheshire – Everything You Should Know
Cheshire has been a popular destination for many casual and professional private pilots. The county offers jaw-dropping scenic views and is also THE place for private pilots to meet and enjoy a relaxing afternoon.
Before we get into the aeroclubs in the region, let’s first discuss a few things that can help you plan your trip better. Here are some of the things that you need to keep in mind when travelling from Sherburn to Cheshire:
Trip Planning
This may seem like an obvious task, but you would be surprised by the number of times private pilots run into avoidable issues due to poor planning. Trip planning isn’t just as simple as picking a date, time, and destination.
Private pilots need to take into account several factors that may impact their trip. For example, weather is a common reason for cancellations in aviation. Weather can be quite fickle, and if you don’t plan your trip around great weather conditions, then you are bound to run into issues, no matter how solid your flight plan is.
When building a flight plan, be as comprehensive as you can. We suggest starting with the basics! Start by outlining a date and time frame for your trip. Then use a reliable weather forecasting tool to see if there is a chance of bad weather during the time you want to plan your trip.
You can use the weather forecasting tools provided by your flight school, or you can also refer to the many online (and free) forecasting tools and resources that private pilots use to plan their trips, such as METAR and TAF reports.
Once you have picked a favourable timeframe for your trip, you can begin building the foundations for your flight plan!
A great flight plan usually covers all the factors related to your flight. For example, you can add details about the type of terrain, altitude, weather conditions, alternative routes, fuel calculations, budgeting and expenses, and more. Please keep in mind that the more in-depth your flight plan is, the better your trip is going to be!
If you are not experienced in making a flight plan, then we highly suggest that you talk to someone from your flight school or consult with senior or experienced pilots to make your flight plan.
It is also important that you check the availability of the flight schools that you want to visit. Flight schools can have a busy airspace and there might be other pilots visiting the area too. This is why you must always call in advance and book your arrival so that you do not run into any issues. It might also be a good idea to ask the school about their landing policies (more on this below), details about their amenities, and their fee structure for visitors.
Route Planning
Figuring out the right route for your trip is extremely important and wrongfully planning this step can cause a lot of distress. For most pilots who want to visit a single location, route planning can be quite straightforward. Normally, you would have to pick the most fuel-efficient route possible and then figure out the second-best route as a backup. However, if you plan to visit multiple locations then you will have to do quite a bit of additional planning.
First, begin by considering the travel time for each route. Please keep in mind that most private pilots who do not have a Night Rating or have Instrument Training will not be allowed to fly outside of Visual Flight Rules (VFR), which are a set of guidelines set for pilots that outline the best conditions for them to fly.
So, the best way to plan a multi-route trip would be to follow a strict timeline. We suggest that you begin with the shortest route, and then figure out the maximum time you can stay before embarking on your next stop. This way, you will be able to cover multiple locations and be back to your flight school on time during daylight.
Additionally, you will also have to come up with alternative routes. Sometimes, a regular route might be declared as restricted airspace by aviation authorities, in which case, you will have to go for an alternative route. Keeping backups and redundancies is key in aviation and can save pilots from a lot of trouble.
Budgeting
Making a budget is perhaps the single most important thing for any trip. The bulk of your expenses will be fuel costs, followed by parking fees, landing fees, and miscellaneous costs such as food and drink.
The best way to make your budget is to begin with fuel calculations. Carefully calculate the fuel requirements of your trip and then figure out the minimum and maximum costs. If you don’t know where to begin, then we suggest that you borrow a similar flight plan from experienced pilots and look at how they have outlined their expenses.
A great best practice would be to keep a bit of extra in mind when making a budget. Remember, redundancies are key! Always keep some extra cash on you just in case. We also suggest that you pick locations that can service your plan as well. Things like refuelling or engineering services are essential – so you will have to pick a landing spot that can accommodate your needs.
Finally, you might also want to consider miscellaneous costs. Most private pilots travel to other counties and aeroclubs to meet other pilots or explore new areas – and some of these places might also offer food and beverage services.
If you are meeting people for networking purposes, then we suggest that you pick a location that offers an in-house café or a meeting area. If you plan to stay overnight, then you will also have to set a budget for accommodation and keep a bit of extra cash to cover an unplanned extended stay.
Picking the Right Light Aircraft
Light aircraft are the primary choice for any private pilot. However, you might want to consider the type of aircraft you want to fly in when planning your trip. There are two types of light aircraft. The first is a traditional fixed-wing aircraft and the second is called flex-wing aircraft.
Fixed-wing aircraft are the most popular choice for pilots who want to travel with more than two passengers and for pilots who want to make longer trips. Fixed-wing aircraft have a traditional design with an enclosed fuselage and space for light cargo. These planes can often seat up to six passengers and are quite fuel-efficient, especially when it comes to cruising and long-distance flights.
If you plan to visit multiple locations and have several passengers, then your first choice should always be a fixed-wing aircraft. These aircraft have a higher power output and are the ideal choice for multi-stop trips.
Flex wings, on the other hand, are smaller but way more fun to fly. In fact, if you ask any commercial or private pilot about their favourite type of light aircraft then they might likely list flex-wings as the best aircraft for enthusiasts.
Flex wings are smaller, lighter, and fuel-efficient. However, the thing that makes them extremely suitable for picturesque flights is their open cockpit design. These aircraft put the pilot and passenger in the open with just a thin windshield separating them from the environment.
This unique open cockpit design is perfect for aerial photography or just for casual flying. Since Cheshire has a host of beautiful geographical and manmade features, you would ideally want an aircraft that would provide an unrestricted view.
Be an Ambassador for your Flight Club
When you travel to another county from your flight school, always keep in mind that wherever you visit, you will be representing your flight school! This is why pilots are required to be always on their best behaviour. Aviation is a highly respected field, and all pilots are expected to conduct themselves professionally on and off the tarmac.
The primary goal of every private pilot should be to foster a welcoming environment. Pilots usually maintain a close-knit network and it is in everyone’s best interest to maintain a healthy relationship with pilots from various counties so that you can seek help if you are ever in a jam.
Another important thing to keep in mind is the individual policies of each aeroclub that you want to visit. Some flight schools might have specific approaches or landing procedures that must be followed by all visitors.
Remember, failure to maintain good standing might result in penalties or worse, suspension! Keep your paperwork in order, and always follow the rules set by the flight school for the best experience.
Best Aeroclubs in Cheshire to Fly to From Sherburn
Now that you know how to plan your trip to Cheshire, let’s take a look at some of the best flight schools that you can visit in the county:
Cheshire Microlight Centre
Located in the heart of Cheshire, this flight school has been around for over 20 years and is considered to be one of the oldest and best flight schools in the county.
Cheshire Microlight Centre (CMC) is known for its ideal location that provides access to stunning aerial views. The flight school usually has great weather and is a great place for light aircraft enthusiasts to meet.
The club also hosts social meetings on the third Monday of every month. This meeting is free to attend and is a great way to meet senior and experienced pilots!
Cheshire Aero Club
Situated in Chester Hawarden Airport, Cheshire Aero Club (CAC) is a prestigious flight school that provides a wide variety of flight training services. The flight school is conveniently located inside the airport, which means that you will get access to several amenities.
The flight school is known for its clear skies and extremely friendly staff. This is a well-established club, so if you are looking for a great place to start your journey, then we would highly recommend that you pick this flight school first.
Please book your trip in advance and always ask for availability when planning a trip to Cheshire Aero Club.
Mersey Flight Air Training School
Mersey Flight is the region's premier pilot training venue that welcomes professional and novice pilots for world-class flight training. This flight school is located inside Hawarden Airport and is one of the oldest and most respected schools in Cheshire.
Whether it is experience flights, trials, training, or aviation services, Mersey Flight is the hub for all things aviation! We highly recommend that you check out this school for its jaw-dropping scenic aerial views, favourable weather conditions, and highly trained faculty.
Since Mersey Flight is located inside Hawarden, you will also get access to several amenities. Please call in and book your stay beforehand. Mersey Flight is usually busy, but you will easily find accommodation according to your travel needs.
Hawarden Airport
The Hawarden airport is at the centre of aviation in Cheshire. This airport is not only known for its services, infrastructure, and location but it is also prized for its highly trained staff and pilot-friendly environment.
What makes this airport the best place for pilots is its list of services that range from maintenance services, refuelling services, and a full-fledged café for visitors and pilots. Hawarden Airport is also home to two well-established aero clubs, so pilots are sure to get their fill when they visit here!
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 Humphrey Muleba on Unsplash
