In this guide, we will look at how pilots can plan the perfect cross-county trip, some important tips on flying, and of course, a list of the best aero clubs in Hertfordshire to fly to from Sherburn!
- Fixed-Wing – A Reliable and Versatile Aircraft for Cross-County Trips
- Flex-Wing Aircraft – A Casual and Thrill-Seeking Experience
- How to Execute the Perfect Cross-County Trip
- Where to Train for Cross-County Flights?
- Best Aero Clubs in Hertfordshire to Fly to From Sherburn
- WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial county in the East of England. The county borders Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Greater London, and Buckinghamshire. The largest settlement in Hertfordshire is Watford, and the county town is Hertford.
Located just around 200 miles from Sherburn, and owing to its neighbouring counties, Hertfordshire is one of the best places for private pilots to visit. The county hosts a list of diverse aeroclubs with a large influx of both students and visiting pilots.
If you are looking for a leisure trip or if you need to expand your network, we highly recommend that you visit here!
In this guide, we will look at how pilots can plan the perfect cross-county trip, some important tips on flying, and of course, a list of the best aero clubs in Hertfordshire to fly to from Sherburn!
Picking the Perfect Aircraft
When it comes to cross-county trips, there is a wide range of aircraft that you can choose from. Primarily two common types of light aircraft are perfect for long-distance flying:
- Fixed-wing light aircraft.
- Flex-wing light aircraft.
Fixed-Wing – A Reliable and Versatile Aircraft for Cross-County Trips
Fixed-wing aircraft are a type of light aircraft that follows a traditional design that you would most likely already be familiar with.
This aircraft gets its name from its iconic design! It has rigid wings made from lightweight materials and a seating capacity of up to six people.
Fixed wings also have excellent fuel efficiency and control. You also get a range of instruments that can be used to fly cross-county in various conditions, such as at night, or during a light fog.
However, flying outside of Visual Flight Rules requires special skills and certifications which is why you will need to acquire the right certifications on top of your Private Pilot Licence (PPL).
Fixed wings are also ideal due to their ability to carry both people and cargo. For example, instead of just one or two people, fixed wings can seat up to six people depending on the model of the aircraft.
Furthermore, fixed wings usually also have a higher Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) which starts from around 2000 kgs to up to 5500 kgs – this means that you can also carry quite a bit of cargo with you on your trip!
Owing to their superior aerodynamic design and control system, these aircraft also offer a higher level of control than other aircraft in the same category. Fixed wings are the default choice for people who want to train to become pilots too – and the best part is that there are several types of fixed wings that you can choose from depending on your needs.
Flex-Wing Aircraft – A Casual and Thrill-Seeking Experience
Flex wings are perhaps the most beloved aircraft design in the world. They can be thought of as the precursor to the original fixed-wing aircraft! Flex-wings are inspired by the simplicity of the early aircraft designs of the 20th century – of course, they have been heavily modified to modern standards.
We recommend that you do a quick survey of pilots for their favourite type of aircraft. Chances are they will name flex-wings as one of the best types of planes in the game!
Flex-wings get their name from their unique wing design that features a lightweight fabric that can flex when in the air, allowing for a more responsive and unique flying experience.
The benefit of flying flex-wings is that they are incredibly light which makes them highly fuel-efficient – in other words, you can go further and explore more in these aircraft, which makes them great for personal cross-county trips.
Why personal? Well, a drawback of these planes is that they don’t seat a lot of people.
Most flex wings are designed to seat either one or two people at a time. While this aircraft wouldn’t be suitable for taking multiple passengers, it is by far the best aircraft when you want to take your significant other on a thrilling journey to another county.
Another big benefit of this type of aircraft is its open cockpit design. That’s right! Instead of a traditional fuselage, the only thing separating you from the outside environment is a windshield!
This open-cockpit design truly makes flex-wings one of the best aircraft to fly because not only do you feel the air, but you also get a fantastic view of your surroundings. So, if you are primarily flying for sightseeing and photography, then this is the aircraft to go for.
How to Execute the Perfect Cross-County Trip
Now that you have a good idea about the type of aircraft you should choose for your cross-county trip, let’s take a look at the best practices for planning and executing the perfect trip:
Build a Comprehensive Flight Plan
A comprehensive flight plan can not only help you plan your trip, but it can also help you avoid common problems that most pilots face during long-distance flights. A flight plan is your best bet at reducing or even eliminating the risk associated with flying.
Since you will be travelling cross-county, you must cover every aspect of your trip. A typical flight plan includes small details like altitude, wind speed/direction, weather information, terrain type, duration, and more importantly, routes!
While modern aviation has brought down the overall risk of flying, a great flight plan can further back you up and avoid unexpected events like emergency restricted airspaces, altitude adjustments, route adjustments, and more.
For the best experience, have your initial flight plan vetted by a veteran pilot. Experienced pilots may help you further tweak the flight plan to make it even better.
Weather Checks
Weather can be fickle, but thanks to modern technology, you can be very certain about the weather conditions for any particular day of the week. We highly recommend that you check aviation-approved weather sources like METARS and put emphasis on visibility, wind speed, past patterns, etc.
Keep in mind that Visual Flight Rules (VFR) apply when flying in light aircraft. Visual Flight Rules are a set of guidelines that dictate the weather conditions for flights.
The only way you will be allowed to fly outside of VFR is if you have additional certifications related to instrument flying or if you have a Night Rating, which can allow you to fly in the dark.
Aircraft and Human Limitations
For the best experience, pilots need to fully understand the aircraft and human limitations that can profoundly affect the outcome of a flight. It is also the best way to eliminate risks associated with flying cross-county.
While incidents in aviation are rare, anything can go wrong on long-distance flights so it's better to secure yourself!
This means that pilots need to study the limitations of their aircraft as well as their own. Start by considering the total duration of the flight and ask yourself if you can reliably complete the flight on your own.
Pilots with health conditions may not be able to complete long-distance flights – and that is completely okay.
Knowing your performance limitations can significantly help reduce risks because if you intentionally try to push yourself beyond your limits, or the limits of the aircraft, then you might end up facing severe consequences.
These limitations are so important that there is even a dedicated course on human and aircraft limitations for all types of flight programmes!
To be on the safe side, build an emergency plan. This document can be a section on your flight plan and can make all the difference during unforeseen circumstances.
Keep in mind the limitations of the aircraft too. This includes noting down the fuel tank capacity, stall speed, top speed, braking capabilities, etc.
Aircraft Checks
Before you even step inside the cockpit, you will need to make sure that the aircraft passes all the necessary preflight checks – which include maintenance tasks.
Preflight checks can involve checking and rechecking fuel reserves, engine status, wheel inspection, electronic checks, and other similar tests.
As per the Civil Aviation Authority, pilots must ensure that their aircraft is up to date on its inspections and that it does not have any outstanding issues that may become a problem during the flight.
We highly recommend that you use the resources available at your flight school. Top flight schools, like Sherburn Aero Club, have in-house aircraft engineers who can help diagnose and find issues in aircraft before they pose a threat!
Last-Minute Checks
Last-minute checks aren’t just great for minimising risks, but they are also great for keeping you up to date.
For example, pilots must always be in the know for airspace restrictions. Knowing these restrictions beforehand helps you plan a route around restricted airspace or momentarily restricted airspace, also known as Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs).
Failure to adhere to these restrictions can result in serious action against the pilot. In severe cases, you might even have your licence temporarily, and even permanently, voided.
Please also make sure that you have all the necessary permissions before embarking on your journey. For example, you will have to confirm whether you will require special permission to land at airfields.
Some airfields also have special policies, like noise mitigation policies that all visiting pilots will need to follow. Airfields also have various fees such as landing fees, maintenance fees (if applicable), etc.
If you follow our guide and the guidelines provided by the Civil Aviation Authority, you will be able to execute a perfect and worry-free cross-county flight.
Where to Train for Cross-County Flights?
If you are an ambitious person who wants to learn a new and life-changing skill, we can’t recommend picking up aviation as a hobby or career. If you don’t know where to start and have dreams of going on your own cross-county trip, then we recommend that you start with a good flight school.
Enrolling in a top-notch flight school like Sherburn Aero Club can help you get your license in the quickest way possible and develop the appropriate theoretical and practical knowledge required for a cross-county flight.
Getting into a great flight school will not only allow you to achieve your dreams, but it will also give you access to a diverse range of flex and fixed-wing aircraft! Additionally, experienced flight instructors at your flight school can also guide you through your first cross-county flight and help you become a seasoned professional.
Best Aero Clubs in Hertfordshire to Fly to From Sherburn
Here are some of the best aero clubs in Hertfordshire to fly to from Sherburn:
Flight Training London
Located inside Elstree Aerodrome, Flight Training London has consistently been one of the best places to learn how to fly. This aeroclub provides access to some of the most jaw-dropping landmarks in Hertfordshire and is home to one of the best instructors in the county.
If you want to meet talented and friendly pilots, then this is the place to go! Flight Training London provides advanced pilot training and since it is located inside an established airfield, visiting pilots can enjoy all the basic amenities that they require!
The Flight Centre
The Flight Centre is located in VVB Hangar inside Elstree Aerodrome. This flight school focuses on private pilot training and experience flights. It is a long-running flight school that is known for producing capable pilots.
We recommend visiting here if you enjoy a friendly environment and a fun flying experience with other talented pilots.
Stars Fly Flying School
Stars Fly Flying School is located in Borehamwood and focuses on providing students with an affordable and top-notch flight training experience. Whether it is private pilot training or trial flights, you can find everything under one roof at Stars Fly Flying School.
Due to its desirable location and its proximity to manmade and natural landmarks, it is the best aero club to visit on a bright sunny day.
The Private Pilots Study Centre Limited
Want to obtain your Private Pilot License in the quickest way possible? Then we recommend that you start at this specialised school.
The Private Pilots Study Centre is the go-to place for private pilots who want to further their training and learn from veteran instructors with vast experience in multiple styles of flying. Since it is located in Denham Aerodrome, you can expect all the basic amenities that visiting pilots would require during their trip.
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 county.
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.
