In this guide, we will explore the various aero clubs in the East Riding of Yorkshire and the importance of picking the right flight school for your training needs.
If you are looking to travel to one of the best aeroclubs in the country, then look no further than the East Riding of Yorkshire. Not only is this county home to the best scenic views in the UK, but it also sports a thriving and prosperous aviation community that has frequently played a major role in advancing the aviation scene in the UK.
In this guide, we will explore the various aero clubs in the East Riding of Yorkshire and the importance of picking the right flight school for your training needs.
Picking the Right Flight School
Whether it is commercial pilot training or private pilot training, starting your journey at a flight school isn’t just a logical step but it is considered to be mandatory by many professional pilots. Sure, you can also learn how to fly on smaller airfields that don’t provide an extensive list of amenities and a fleet of aircraft, but the benefits of joining an aero club certainly offset its costs.
The truth is that flight schools typically cost more due to the sheer number of services that they provide. However, if you are smart about picking the right school, then you can easily find places that can not only fulfil your training needs but can also be cost-friendly.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when picking a flight school:
- Light vs. Commercial Aircraft
Before you even think about shortlisting schools, we recommend that you begin with your needs and expectations. A great place to start is to think about the type of aircraft that you want to fly!
There are primarily two broad categories of aircraft. The first is clubbed into Commercial Aircraft and the second refers to Light Aircraft – and while there might be some overlap in the two, there are fundamental differences that set them apart.
For example, if you want to pursue aviation as a hobby, then you would want to go with light aircraft.
Light aircraft are further divided into two subcategories: Flex wing aircraft and Fixed wing aircraft. Flex-wing aircraft are the lightest and most convenient aircraft for pilots. These aircraft are designed to seat just one or two people and are the ideal choice for enthusiasts who want to fly for fun.
In fact, flex-wing aircraft are so fun to fly that even professional or commercial pilots would pick them due to their convenience, fuel efficiency, and control. However, the biggest benefit of flex-wing aircraft is their design.
These aircraft are designed to have an open cockpit where the pilot and passenger are exposed to the environment with just a thin windshield separating them from the outside. These aircraft have a trike-style design and get their name from their wing system that employs the use of a light fabric that “flexes” in the air.
On the other hand, you also have fixed-wing aircraft. These aircraft are similarly convenient, but they provide a more conventional flying experience. Fixed-wing aircraft are built after the design of larger aircraft, in that they include a wide variety of instrumentation and in some models, even a twin-engine system.
Fixed-wing aircraft provide a conventional flying experience and are by far the default choice for flight instructors to teach people how to fly, especially when it comes to commercial pilots (more on this below).
Helicopters are also an excellent type of light aircraft that provide an entirely new flying experience. These aircraft are capable of vertical take-offs and can also be suspended in the air which opens up an entirely new way to explore your surroundings. Due to these advantages, helicopters also have a wide variety of commercial uses as well.
Finally, commercial aircraft are the bread and butter of the aviation industry. Not only do they enable the monetisation of aviation, but they are a crucial part of modern transportation worldwide.
Commercial aircraft examples commonly include large passenger planes that are owned by big corporations. These planes can seat hundreds of passengers and are essential for traversing in the 21st century. Similarly, these larger planes can also be used for either military or cargo transportation purposes.
Interestingly, light aircraft can also be used for commercial activities. For example, fixed-wing aircraft can be retrofitted with several instruments. A great example would be crop dusting! Fixed wings have been commonly used for dusting crops for decades and there are dedicated pilots for this job as well.
Flex wings can also be used for commercial purposes! Remember how we mentioned that these aircraft have a cabin-less design? Well, that design enables these planes to have an unobstructed view of the surroundings. This means that they are the gold standard for aerial photography, surveying, and wildlife monitoring.
Similarly, helicopters are also widely used for commercial purposes. Think of air ambulances or rescue operations – helicopters have enabled next-generation emergency services thanks to their ability to fly vertically. In fact, after fixed wings, helicopters are the second most common light aircraft that you will commonly see in urban areas.
PPL, CPL, LAPL – Which one is for You?
All pilots fly planes, but not all pilots share the same privileges. Think about it in terms of how there are different licensing for driving vehicles. For example, you would need separate licences to drive a car and a truck. Similarly, you might also need to amend your licence to ride a bike! Aviation licences work in the same way.
Different licences provide various privileges! For example, a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) is commonly issued to people who usually pursue aviation just for fun or as a hobby. A PPL is a great way to quickly make your way into the cockpit due to its relatively relaxed training requirements compared to commercial licences.
A Private Pilot Licence can enable pilots to fly either flex or fixed-wing aircraft. This means that you get to experience a wide range of aircraft without spending a lot on training fees and other requirements.
However, if you want an even faster way to get into the cockpit then you can also go for a Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL). The LAPL was designed to attract as many people to aviation as possible.
The truth is, getting a licence can be a daunting experience and even if you go for a traditional Private Pilot Licence, you will have to invest quite a lot of time in theoretical and practical training. So, aviation bodies decided to design a new type of licence that would lower the barrier to entry for people.
A Light Aircraft Pilot Licence allows people to get the bare minimum training required to fly aircraft. While there are quite a lot of restrictions for this type of licence (like the type of aircraft you can fly and weather conditions you can fly in), a LAPL is far less extensive than a PPL. Of course, it costs less too which is another added benefit of going for a LAPL.
In most cases, candidates may also be able to choose when they want to train when pursuing a LAPL which means that you can pursue your regular career and take on aviation as a hobby without missing out on either activity.
Flight Instructors
Flight instructors are the backbone of any flight school. If a flight school provides all the amenities but fails to attract star instructors, then it might not amount to much!
Having experienced and even decorated flight instructors is incredibly important in aviation because experience is the one factor that determines your level of understanding of aircraft and your skillset. Apart from some gifted pilots who have a knack for flying aircraft even with limited experience, the vast majority of people require highly experienced pilots to train them.
Aviation is based on shared experiences and decorated pilots can impart this wisdom to the next generation of pilots which can significantly help in improving their skills. The truth is that aviation may be extremely safe, but there are a few scenarios and unforeseen circumstances that can put pilots in difficult situations.
When these emergencies happen, they can either result in tragedy or cause collateral damage. This is why the experience of pilots matters so much! Most experienced pilots have had at least one incident in their career that they have had to navigate around – and sharing how to navigate through these problems is why aero clubs hire highly capable pilots.
So, when you pick a flight school, always keep the quality of the instructors as your top priority and then work your way down to the licencing and fleet options that the Aero Club provides and then pick a school that provides the best value for money based on your budget!
Best Aero Clubs in East Riding of Yorkshire to Fly to From Sherburn
Situated a 45-minute drive from Sherburn, Elmet, East Riding of Yorkshire is perhaps the best place for private pilots to visit from Sherburn. Not only can you save money on fuel but there is a lot to see in Yorkshire too.
Here are some of the best aero clubs that you can visit:
Hull Aero Club
If you are looking for a traditional aero club, then we can’t recommend Hull Aero Club (HAC) enough. This aeroclub has been around for quite some time and has gained the reputation of being one of the best schools in the region. The club is known to provide extensive flight training services and is also an excellent place for recreational flying.
It sports a thriving community of enthusiastic pilots and is also situated near scenic geographical features!
Bridlington Aero Club
Bridlington Aero Club (BAC) is based in Carnaby Airfield near Bridlington. This flight school is known for its friendly atmosphere and great weather conditions. It is the place for recreational flying and serious flight training too. The school provides basic amenities and is an excellent place for private pilots to visit from Sherburn due to its ideal location.
Yorkshire Gliding Club
If you love gliders, then you have to visit Yorkshire Gliding Club (YGC). This club has been a beacon for glider pilots and is also known to attract pilots from around the region. Situated in Sutton Bank, this club offers stunning views and clear blue skies. We highly recommend that you visit here in your flex-wing aircraft for the best experience. Please call in advance to book your appointment at this flight club because it can get quite busy depending on the time of year.
Yorkshire Aero Club
Yorkshire Aero Club (YAC) is the quintessential aeroclub in the East Riding of Yorkshire. This flight school has been active for some years and in a short span of time, it has managed to become one of the best places in Yorkshire to learn how to fly.
The aeroclub offers a fleet of diverse and well-maintained aircraft and is also home to several amenities that visiting pilots can enjoy. The club offers affordable flight training and is proud to be one of the friendliest flight schools in Yorkshire. As a bonus, the flight school provides splendid aerial views that are great for aerial photographers and enthusiasts who love to fly over diverse terrain.
Beverly Airfield
Beverly Airfield is a long-standing airfield in Yorkshire that also hosts flight schools. The airfield is known for not just typical light aircraft training, but it is also a great spot for helicopter training too. If you are looking for a diverse school in the region, then there is no better spot than here. Not only can you easily access jaw-dropping geographical features, but you can also meet highly experienced (and novice) pilots from all walks of life.
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.
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