This guide is designed for new pilots who want to learn more about aviation and how they can plan the perfect trip to other aero clubs in the county. Read below to learn more!
Travelling to other aero clubs is a fantastic way to not just have shared experiences in aviation, but to also learn from other pilots! If you have been looking for a nearby county to visit, then we highly recommend that you check out North Yorkshire.
North Yorkshire is home to several aero clubs, (including our own!) and is the ideal choice for private pilots looking for sunny weather, breathtaking horizons, and stable wind conditions.
This guide is designed for new pilots who want to learn more about aviation and how they can plan the perfect trip to other aero clubs in the county. Read below to learn more!
Aero Clubs 101: How to Pick the Right Club
Aero clubs aren’t just places where pilots learn to fly, but they are also excellent community spaces where pilots from all walks of life can gather and share their passion for aviation.
Finding the right flight school can be highly subjective, after all, everyone has different needs and expectations. This is why we recommend that pilots take a methodical approach to finding a school that best suits their personality.
Here is how you can pick the right flight school:
Consider your Budget.
The first thing that every young pilot needs to keep in mind is that aviation is a capital-intensive industry that requires quite a lot of resources. This is why learning how to fly can be quite a financial endeavour for many people.
However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t find schools that speak directly to your financial needs. Modern aviation has become more affordable and approachable than ever. Now people from all walks of life can try their hand at operating aircraft.
But to make the most out of training, you must first assess your budget.
- For example, the average cost for Private Pilot License (PPL) training in the UK typically ranges from £8,000 to £12,000.
We are using the word “training” here very broadly as there is a lot that goes into a pilot programme. Flight training involves both ground school training and flight training along with study materials, exams, fees, and other associated costs with licensing.
- An average Commercial Pilot License (CPL) training ranges from around £20,000 to £40,000 and even higher.
Commercial flight programmes require more in-depth training and additional training modules.
- Meanwhile, Light Aircraft Pilot Training (LAPL) ranges from around £6,000 to £9,000 in the UK.
These three training programmes are the most popular and sought-after among pilots – and pilots usually go for the programme that costs them the least while fulfilling their requirements.
Furthermore, it is now also possible for pilots with fewer resources to enrol in advanced training programmes too. For example, commercial flight training is inherently expensive, but thanks to market competition, aero clubs may offer special incentives.
These incentives can either be in the form of deals, discounts, and even scholarships. This means that if you have a burning passion for aviation then you can apply for scholarship opportunities and go for advanced training at a reasonable cost.
- Always Pick Veteran Instructors
Flight schools are only as good as their faculty. If you want to be the best, then you simply must train with the best.
Aviation is a hands-on field that requires experience. Ground school will only take you so far. The time that you spend inside the cockpit, along with ground training is what makes pilots great.
The more experienced the pilot, the more likely they are to be excellent teachers. Instructors with a lot of experience can help young pilots manage their expectations. They can also teach pilots about the mistakes that they made during their careers which they can avoid!
This type of training is considered gold which is why we recommend that you keep flight instructors as a top priority when choosing the right flight school. Even if the school offers all the top amenities and state-of-the-art training facilities, it will all be for naught if the school doesn’t offer the right set of instructors.
Furthermore, flight instructors are also great guides for students who struggle with ground training. Aviation-related subjects can be tough, especially when you consider subjects like aerodynamics.
Trained instructors have an eye for struggling students and can help them come up to the pace of the class whereas an inexperienced or indifferent instructor will just focus on finishing the course as soon as possible.
- Check Out the Fleet of Aircraft
Some aero clubs operate at a smaller level where they only provide two or three aircraft. Some may even offer just one! While there is nothing wrong with training and mastering just one aircraft, you should go with a diverse fleet for a more comprehensive experience.
Training on a range of aircraft will allow you to understand the “feel” of how avionics work. This type of training usually helps students build intuition which can be indispensable in real-world flying scenarios.
Larger and more established clubs like Sherburn Aero Club, offer a wide variety of aircraft that cater to different needs.
For example, you can either go with a classic Piper PA 28 Warrior for everyday training sessions or a Cessna 152 Aerobat for advanced aerial manoeuvres.
- Make a List of All Suitable Aero Clubs
Keeping the above points in mind, make a list of all the suitable aero clubs that cater to your needs.
We recommend that you pick the top three schools on your list and plan a visit to each one. This is by far the best way to make an informed decision when picking the right school.
By visiting the clubs, you will gain even more insight into how the school operates, what the campus life is like, the facilities, instructors, and the reviews of the school as per the students.
This information is gold and will immensely help in finding the right school for your needs. You should ideally use the process of elimination to sort through the final three schools to pick the best one.
We also recommend that you talk to other seasoned pilots to find out their opinions about the flight school. Make sure that you share all your expectations and your budgetary constraints (if any) so that they can help you make a precise decision.
Visiting Aero Clubs – Do’s and Don’ts
If you are a new pilot who plans on visiting other flight schools in different counties, then here is what you need to know:
Always Be Prepared Beforehand
Aero clubs are usually very welcoming places, but you still need to maintain a level of professionalism when visiting any clubs. Aero clubs are fairly busy spaces with students and private pilots always on the go.
This is why we recommend that you pick your dates according to the availability of the aero club. Not every aero club is free on every day of the week! Some clubs, especially the ones located inside busy airports, may require prior booking.
Never make assumptions about anything!
Always call the aero clubs beforehand and then begin planning the trip for the best experience. We suggest that you first try to gain as much information about the club and its policies via its website.
Aero clubs usually provide all the necessary information for visitors on their site. In some cases, you might also be offered an online form that you will have to fill out and submit to the club before booking.
Once you have all the information that you need, make a list of additional questions that you want to inquire and then call the club to make the final reservations.
Make a Solid Flight Plan
A flight plan should be bulletproof. In other words, you should list every detail regarding your trip in the plan so that you can refer back to it if you run into problems during your trip.
For example, the flight plan must cover details about alternative routes, fuel calculations, terrain type, altitude limits, budgeting, and more.
These are small details that often go overlooked by inexperienced pilots who then run into penalties, fines, or worse, even suspensions. The best way to avoid any sort of embarrassment is to prepare a solid flight plan!
Make sure that you share the flight plan with your instructors and other expert pilots so that they can validate it.
Aircraft Checks
Before you are ready to fly, you will have to make sure that the aircraft is in perfect condition. This means that you will have to inspect the aircraft visually from the outside as well as inside the cockpit.
Begin by checking the maintenance schedule of your aircraft. Every aircraft has its own schedule which needs to be strictly followed. You can also check out the last known faults in the plane and how they were addressed by the engineering team.
If you spot something out of place during your inspection, then you must report your findings to the ground crew. Never leave anything to chance! Always keep the ground crew in the loop to minimise risk.
Don’t know how to perform an inspection? Then we recommend that you get help from other seasoned pilots or instructors. A trained eye can help identify issues with the body of the plane, as well as the internal instruments.
Once the aircraft is deemed ready, you can begin with your flight checks and regular preflight procedures.
Be an Ambassador for your Club.
When visiting other clubs, make sure that you are extremely amicable and professional. As soon as you leave the tarmac of your club, you will become its ambassador both in the skies and wherever you land.
This is why you must be on your best behaviour and treat others like you would want to be treated yourself.
Pilots share a tight network that connects pilots from other clubs around the country, so if you make an avoidable mistake, then you will indirectly be affecting the brand image of your club!
While it is okay to make small human errors, behavioural problems must always remain in check because they can easily cause an escalation that can result in fines, penalties, and sometimes even suspensions.
Best Aero Clubs in North Yorkshire to Fly to from Sherburn
Here is a list of the best aero clubs in the county:
Yorkshire Gliding Club
Gliding is an adventure sport in every sense of the word. Gliding is perfect for people from age 14 up into their 90's. It is perhaps the purest form of flying where pilots can experience thrilling up-drafts and soar the skies freely.
If you love gliding, then we can’t recommend Yorkshire Gliding Club enough. This club has been around for quite some time and is one of the defining clubs for gliders in the county.
Not only will you find a friendly and welcoming community of pilots, but you can also enjoy various amenities, including an upcoming café inside the premises of the club!
Yorkshire Aviation Academy
Yorkshire Aviation Academy (YAC) is a top-tier aero club designed specifically for beginners and veteran pilots. Its all-in-one capabilities make it an excellent place for beginners to learn how to fly and veterans to explore new heights!
This aero club has churned out talented private pilots and is an excellent spot for visiting enthusiasts to meet and fly together.
Located in Leeds East Airport, the club is surrounded by lush terrain and clear blue skies, making it an ideal spot for jaw-dropping take-offs.
York Flying Club
Located in Breighton Airfield, York Flying Club (YFC) is a flying school of choice. Known for its friendly staff, highly competent instructors, and enthusiastic pilot community, YAC should be the number one spot for anyone looking for a thrilling and challenging flying experience with other capable pilots.
This club features microlight training, tailwheel training, and much more! Whether it is casual flying experiences or hardcore training, you will find everything under one roof at York Flying Club.
The club offers extensive on-ground services and nearly all the amenities that visiting pilots might ask for, including an impressive roster of aircraft.
Please make sure that you book your visit beforehand since this club is known to be quite busy almost every day of the week.
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.
