This guide will focus on what you need to know before you embark on your journey to this beautiful region as well as a list of all the best aero clubs in Centre-Val de Loire. Read below to learn more!
The Centre-Val de Loire region is situated in the centre of northern France and is split through the middle by the iconic Loire Valley, defined by its farmland and palatial châteaux. The region is known for its rich historical significance, its bustling aviation scene, and its numerous scenic landmarks ranging from castles to the iconic Loire River and its expansive countryside.
If you are a private pilot looking to break away from routine flights and want to travel to a nearby region with luscious views, then look no further than Centre-Val de Loire.
This guide will focus on what you need to know before you embark on your journey to this beautiful region as well as a list of all the best aero clubs in Centre-Val de Loire. Read below to learn more!
Travelling to Centre-Val-de-Loire
Situated around 970km from Sherburn, Centre-Val de Loire is the best place for visiting pilots, however, since Brexit, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind before entering EU airspace:
Licence Considerations
According to the recent policies of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency or EASA, UK pilot licences are no longer valid in the EU post-Brexit. Don’t worry though! While there are a few procedures, UK pilots can easily access EU airspace and enjoy its diverse regions.
To start, when travelling from the UK to EU airspace, private pilots must have either an EU-issued EASA licence or a UK Part-FCL licence. Pilots seeking to fly out of the UK must also consult with the relevant staff at their aero club for more precise information according to their flight plan.
Your aero club is your best bet at figuring out everything that you need to know about travelling outside of the UK. Chances are that some pilots may have already partaken in these types of trips at your club!
Sherburn is well-equipped to help its pilots fulfil all the minimum requirements to fly outside of the UK. For the best experience, we recommend that you communicate your requirements, the duration of your stay, and the stops you plan to make, and submit your general flight plan with professional consultants to know exactly how to obtain all the documents in the least time possible.
Customs Requirements
UK pilots will be required to fill out a customs form before entering or leaving the EU. This form lists all the important documentation required for submission which can include flight plans and information about your entry and exit points.
These forms are available at larger airports but keep in mind that they might not be able to facilitate you if you plan to directly travel to smaller airfields. So, make sure you enter and exit through aerodromes and clubs that provide customs clearance facilities.
Submission of Documents
All appropriate documents must be submitted through Eurocontrol for approval. Approval time can vary depending on several factors including the number of applications and the complexity of your flight plan which is why you should consider the processing time of your application in your schedule.
Aircraft Registration
UK-registered aircraft (G-registered aircraft) should comply with local requirements which may include insurance coverage or temporary permits that may be needed for certain aircraft categories.
Medical Certificates
Finally, EASA rules highlight that UK CAA-issued medical certificates must first be validated before entering EU airspace. UK pilots must validate their medical certificates according to the EU standards to avoid problems.
Best Aero Clubs in Centre-Val de Loire
Centre-Val de Loire is known for its breathtaking Loire River, its tremendous castles, and châteaux. With a diverse range of horizons and clear blue skies, we believe this region will be excellent for any first-time pilot looking to travel outside of the UK.
Here is a list of some of the best aero clubs that you can visit from Sherburn:
Aéroclub des Pilotes du Centre (ACPC)
Located at the Châteauroux-Déols airport, this club is known for its focus on classic aviation elements and fun community events. The club offers bespoke flight lessons, jaw-dropping aerial views, and tremendous opportunities to explore ultralight aviation.
The club is full of enthusiasts and daredevils who eagerly soar the skies, pushing the limits of aviation! For the best experience, we recommend that you call in beforehand to get a better idea of the best time to visit the aero club due to its inclination to host social gatherings. These qualities make this club an excellent and vibrant spot for aviation enthusiasts.
Aéroclub d’Orléans
Situated at the Orléans-Saint-Denis-de-l’Hôtel Aerodrome, this club provides excellent training for private pilot licences. It is also known for its fun discovery flights and the club even offers thrilling aerobatic experiences too!
Its proximity to historic landmarks makes it ideal for scenic flights. However, this club is known to be busy during the peak summer season which is why we recommend that you book your arrival well in advance. Furthermore, we encourage you to follow the specific policies for visitors for the best experience at the club and with its staff.
Aéroclub de Touraine
If you are looking for a modern aero club with an updated fleet, then look no further. Based in Tours, this club specialises in flight training and discovery flights fit for every kind of pilot. It's popular for its modern fleet and since it's ideally located, you can get the chance to fly over the scenic Loire Valley – a must for any new pilot looking to travel outside of UK airspace.
Aéroclub Blois-Le Breuil
Aéroclub Blois-Le Breuil is known for its friendly atmosphere and helpful staff. The club provides excellent training services for beginners and offers introductory flights at a great price as well. The club focuses on providing tailored lessons and has a vibrant community of expert instructors and established veteran pilots.
Why Centre-Val de Loire?
Well, there are several reasons! Here is why you should consider visiting this beautiful region:
Scenic Landscapes for Aerial Views
Whether it is châteaux and castles or the Loire River, this region offers a chance to fly over iconic landmarks like Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau, and Château de Villandry for breathtaking aerial views.
Furthermore, you can also experience the region's vast countryside with vineyards, forests, and charming towns lining its banks.
Airfields
For pilots, the real charm of this region is its well-equipped and established airfield.
From Tours Val de Loire Airport to Orléans - Saint-Denis-de-l'Hôtel Aerodrome to Châteauroux-Centre Airport, you can find several large airports that support private planes, jets and even smaller aircraft. Even better is the fact that the region has several smaller aerodromes scattered across the region catering to ultralight aircraft and even gliders. This makes Centre-Val de Loire not only a great place for leisure but also for recreational flying!
History and Clear Skies
The region has a rich culture and history that will attract anyone interested in architecture or geographical features. Centre-Val de Loire has several chateaux with landing strips nearby which allows pilots to easily land and explore the region's rich history.
Furthermore, this region is also known for its beautiful horizons with clear blue skies. Centre-Val de Loire has a generally temperate climate with many flyable days each year. The flat terrain also makes it ideal for navigation and effortless take-offs and landings.
Becoming a Pilot - Basics
If you are new to aviation and are exploring your options for becoming a pilot, then you are at the right place!
The best place to start your journey is at a great flight school. These institutions are a great gathering spot for established pilots, enthusiasts, and students. Flight schools are training centres where casual or serious pilots can learn to become either commercial or private pilots.
Picking the right flight school is like picking any other learning institution where you would consider the location, cost, services, and faculty. Always pick a flight school that is easily accessible for you and offers a great and experienced faculty.
Budgeting
Budgeting is important! Pilot training can range from a couple of thousand pounds to several thousand depending on whether you pick private or commercial flight training. Private pilot programmes or even other relaxed programmes like the Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) are designed to fast-track your training routine so that you can quickly obtain the minimum requirements for your licence. However, relaxed requirements also lead to several limitations and restrictions on how and when you can fly.
Commercial flight training is the most expensive, however, it opens up several long-term opportunities where you can train to join large commercial airliners that pay handsomely and also provide several other perks. The key here is to figure out what you want from your pilot training in the long term. If you are joining aviation as a hobby, then a private licence is the way to go, but if you want to earn from your skills and want a traditional career ladder, then a commercial programme will be best suited to your needs.
The good news is that flight training costs can be subsidised through incentives, deals, discounts, and more. Some clubs may even offer special benefits for younger pilots. The best way to figure out the pricing is to visit the website of the club or better yet, call in for a more personalised experience.
Flight Instructors
Flight instructors are the bread and butter of flight schools. The faculty will dictate your training experience. If you choose a school with limited faculty or less experienced instructors, then you may be missing out on key learning skills. Keep in mind that aviation is an experience-based field that requires you to learn from people who have plenty of flight hours under their belt. The better the instructors, the better your chances of becoming a highly capable pilot.
Experienced instructors can help students who struggle with theoretical or practical concepts and can help you get your licence efficiently. This is why you must account for the quality of the faculty and not just the facility in your decision to pick the right flight school.
Remember, part of a flight instructor's job is to help you build intuition! Intuition is learned through the best and can only come from experience. This skill can not only help you determine the best course of action during emergencies but can also help you get out of tight flying scenarios in the real world.
We recommend that you talk to alumni or even instructors at the club that you plan to join to figure out if it’s the right fit for your needs. Getting testimonials and reviews online is also a great way to get an overview of what you can expect from the school and even your flight training.
Facilities
The facilities of your aero club are as important as the instructors, especially if you are going for a commercial pilot licence. Facilities like a state-of-the-art simulator and a diverse fleet of aircraft are just some of the things that you need to factor into your decision. These facilities not only help in enriching your learning experience but also make you a more capable pilot in the real world.
Clubs like Sherburn not only provide bespoke training services, but they also offer several state-of-the-art facilities including a diverse fleet of aircraft fit for various flying scenarios. For the best experience, we recommend that you shortlist at least three flight schools near you and then create a pros and cons list of each school. List down their pricing, facilities, faculty, and even amenities, and then compare each school to find the best for your needs.
This way, you can make the most informed decision and get to start your aviation journey the right way!
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 Sue Winston on Unsplash
