In this guide, we will cover the importance of flight schools, how to pick the right flight school for your needs, and a list of the best aero clubs in Somerset.
Aviation is all about community and if you want to experience the best of what aviation has to offer then we highly recommend that you visit other flight schools! Visiting other flight schools is an excellent way to meet like-minded individuals and make lifelong friends. If you have been planning to travel outside of your flight club to other schools, then we suggest that you keep Somerset on your radar!
Somerset is a county in Southwest England that is home to one of the best aero clubs in the region. In this guide, we will cover the importance of flight schools, how to pick the right flight school for your needs, and a list of the best aero clubs in Somerset.
The Birth of Modern Flight Schools
If there is one thing that most pilots will tell you, it’s this: if you want to make a mark in aviation, then you need to enrol in a great flight school!
Flight schools are designed to make better pilots. Some people are natural at flying planes but the only way they can be one of the greats is to enrol in a flight school that provides not just great instructors but also all the facilities needed to take your training to the next level.
Aviation is an experience-based field that requires a lot of practice – and while some people may have a natural talent, if they are not exposed to the right training programme, they might never realise their full potential.
Aviation schools have been around in some form or the other since the advent of aeroplanes. Even during the time of the first manned flight by the Wright brothers in 1903, there were many small clubs that focused solely on making aviation possible. Perhaps the biggest evidence of the existence of these clubs is the slew of aircraft designs and prototypes that preceded the successful Kitty Hawk flight.
Many amateur and professional engineers were set on making the first manned plane and thanks to the efforts and contributions of these unsung heroes, the Wright brothers were able to make a workable design that not only achieved sustained flight, but their plane was also able to land back – that’s right, it turns out that taking a plane off ground was relatively easier than having it safely land back!
Just after the news about the first manned flight, engineers began to replicate the design of the Wright brothers and improve upon the dynamics of the plane. During the same time, people also began seriously looking into building the right infrastructure for aviation.
Within just a few years, we already had the basis for flight schools across the world, especially in North America. However, there was another part of the world that was also putting a lot of resources into aviation: Western Europe.
The United Kingdom was one of the first countries in the region to quickly establish an affinity for aviation. Even before the first flight in 1903, engineers in England were able to come up with several aircraft designs, and using inspiration from the Wright brother’s aircraft, they were able to improve upon the original flex-wing aircraft design.
Within just a decade, the United Kingdom had several key flight schools around the region and many people were beginning to sign up for pilot training as well! In fact, the Royal Air Force's (RAF's) Central Flying School was formed in May 1912 at Upavon, United Kingdom, and is known to be one of the oldest flying schools!
To put this into perspective, the First World War began in 1914, so the school was already churning out capable pilots even before the aviation industry boomed due to military interest.
The fact is, even though the events of both World Wars were tragic, they happened to be a propellent for aviation in many ways. After airplanes proved their worth during the first war, the military started to pour an obscene amount of money into the field to develop even better aircraft.
The benefit of this boom also trickled down to the everyday aviation enthusiast. After the end of every war, most serviced airplanes were decommissioned due to damage. This meant that there was a surplus of spare parts that could be bought for cheap by enthusiast aviators.
Fun fact, this is actually one of the key reasons why the aviation industry in general was able to expand to its current heights! Aviation is generally considered to be an expensive endeavour and owning multiple aircraft and the right infrastructure proved to be quite capital extensive which put an expensive barrier to entry for the industry. However, with the help of the enthusiast community, aviation started to become a more approachable hobby.
Slowly but steadily, throughout the years, aviation started to become one of the most important industries in the world – and thanks to advances in engineering and design philosophies, we have been able to make iterative changes that have pushed the boundaries of what is possible in aviation!
The Importance of Picking the Right Flight School
Today, flight schools have become far more common around the world with multiple regions featuring not one but several flight schools. Flight schools have also become far more approachable than ever with many schools offering a range of financial aid and discounts to students who want to become pilots.
However, meeting the financial requirements of your flight programme is just one aspect of flight training. The real magic is in the theoretical and practical training modules of your flight plan. This is where you need to pay extra attention!
Most flight schools offer two types of flight programmes:
- Private Pilot Training
- Commercial Pilot Training
Private pilot training is geared towards pilots who want to earn their Private Pilot License (PPL). This license is perfect for people who want to pursue aviation as a hobby or for people who do not want to pursue aviation as a career.
Private pilots have access to light aircraft which includes both fixed-wing and flex-wing aircraft. Both types of aircraft are more than enough to cater to the needs of any pilot – and most great flight schools, like Sherburn Aero Club, have their own fleet of various light aircraft!
Commercial Pilot Training, on the other hand, is positioned towards people who want to earn money from their passion for aviation. These pilots go on to become captains of large passenger aircraft and can also use their skills for more commercial operations like commanding cargo aircraft, crop dusting, and much more.
Typically, a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), requires more in-depth training, and while there is an overlap in the training curriculum for both pilot programmes, commercial pilots usually end up with a more rigorous training regimen than private pilots.
So, how does one pick a flight school?
The easiest way is to start with your end goal in mind. For example, if you want to pursue aviation as a career, then you will need to find a flight school that provides not just great flight instructors for commercial pilot training, but also facilities like a fleet of twin-engine light aircraft, simulator training, and much more.
Some people might also give weightage to other supporting facilities and prefer a more “campus” feel. Sherburn Aero Club, for example, offers comprehensive services that range from a large café to even a common area for pilots to hang out. If these amenities are important to you, then you should factor them into your decision when shortlisting a flight school.
For pilots who want to pursue a Private Pilot License (PPL), the general roadmap is the same. However, since the training requirements for private pilots are relatively relaxed compared to a commercial pilot program, private pilots have a far greater choice for flight schools.
Almost every flight school offers private pilot training and services. In fact, private pilot programmes can also be seen as one of the cornerstones of modern aviation too! This is why private pilots usually go for schools that provide two things: a great fleet of aircraft and excellent instructors.
If you are someone who wants a no-frills approach towards aviation and just wants to jump into the action, then we suggest going for a smaller flight school that has a more focused approach. These flight schools can either be run independently, or they can also be part of an airport. For the best experience, we recommend that you pick a flight school that is situated inside an established airport. This way, you can access all the amenities of the airport and excel in your flight training too!
Best Aero Clubs in Somerset to Fly to From Sherburn
Flying to different flight schools is one of the best parts of aviation. Since flight schools are a beacon for aviation enthusiasts, you can fly and meet new people and potentially make lifelong friends!
Community is an incredibly important part of aviation and pilots are looked at as ambassadors of their flight school whenever they are on a visit. This is why it is extremely important that you be on your best behaviour during your visits and harbour a positive attitude when interacting with other students from different flight schools.
Here are our top picks for the best flight schools in Somerset to fly to from Sherburn:
Bristol Flying Centre Ltd
Based in Bristol Airport, this is one of the premier flight schools in Somerset. If you have a passion for new and vintage aircraft, then this is the place to be. Not only does this flight school offer one of the best flying experiences due to its ideal location, but it is also prized for its high-quality pilot training.
Bristol Flying Centre (BFC), is home to several different light aircraft, including a vintage and rare de Havilland Tiger Moth! The diverse fleet of this flight school is enough reason for a visit! We highly recommend that you call ahead and reserve a spot for yourself though, since this airport can be busy and finding an ideal parking spot may be subject to availability.
Devon & Somerset Flight Training
This flight school has it all! From a great aircraft fleet to an excellent location near the Jurassic Coast, to even dedicated air experiences for the public. If you love aviation, then we highly suggest that you keep this flight school at the top of your itinerary.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about this flight school is its faculty. Comprised of highly skilled and experienced pilots, Devon & Somerset Flight Training School has truly set a high standard for flight training.
Please keep in mind that this flight school may have a busy airspace depending on the time of the week. As a precautionary measure, we advise you to make your flight plan around the availability of this flight school, instead of picking a random date!
Henstridge Airfield Flight School
Henstridge Airfield may not provide a long list of services, but it is still one of the most capable flight schools in Somerset. Known for its friendly staff and great location, this flight school is perfect for people who want a quiet and hyper-focused flight school that isn’t as busy as the flight schools that you would commonly find in airports.
Henstridge doesn’t tick all the checkboxes when it comes to amenities, but it is still an excellent and even budget-friendly place for budding pilots who want to take their training to the next level.
For the best experience, we recommend that you contact Henstridge flight school beforehand and book your visit. Some flight schools may also have specific approaches or noise mitigation policies in place. We highly recommend that you acquaint yourself with the rules and regulations of every flight school that you visit to avoid problems.
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.
