Read below to learn more about how to plan a trip to East Sussex, which aircraft to take, and a list of the best aero clubs in the county.
From jaw-dropping sunsets to awe-inspiring man-made and natural structures, East Sussex truly has something for everyone! If you are planning on a short trip to this beautiful county, then this guide is just for you.
East Sussex is located just 230 miles from Sherburn making it the ideal place for private pilots who want to explore their surroundings and get the best aerial views. Not only are you going to get a scenic route, but you are also going to find a bustling and lively aviation community in East Sussex!
Read below to learn more about the best aero clubs in East Sussex and some important factors to keep in mind when planning a trip to this beautiful county.
East Sussex – Something for Everyone!
Located in Southeast England, East Sussex is bordered by Kent to the north-east, West Sussex to the west, and Surrey to the north-west. It is home to Bodiam Castle, the iconic Seven Sisters cliffs, Camber Sands, and much more.
East Sussex is ideally located just shy of 230 miles off Sherburn which makes it a great location to visit on a fixed-wing aircraft. This county is also home to several aero clubs, each with a vibrant community of veteran and in-training pilots.
Best Aero Clubs in East Sussex to Fly to From Sherburn
East Sussex is home to an excellent community of veteran pilots and ambitious students. The county offers a wide range of aero clubs, each with a friendly and cooperative faculty! Here are some of the most well-established flight schools in East Sussex:
Sussex Flying Club
Located inside Shoreham Airport, Sussex Flying Club (SFC) has been a cornerstone for veterans and pilots eager to make a mark in aviation. This aero club has been around for a long time and has built a reputation as a friendly but challenging club that expects nothing but the best from its faculty.
The club is known for its well-maintained fleet of diverse aircraft and provides pilot training courses that cover Private Pilot Licence training, as well as additional certifications like Night Rating, Instrument Rating, and more.
East Sussex Gliding Club
Want to experience the thrills and fully enjoy the scenery that East Sussex has to offer? Then we highly recommend that you check out East Sussex Gliding Club (ESGC). This club is home to daredevils and thrill seekers who constantly try to push the boundaries of what is possible with gliders.
Not only are you going to meet like-minded ambitious pilots, but you can also partake in gliding activities and explore the county and its iconic natural and manmade structures. The club offers trial lessons as well as full-on training for people interested in gliding. The club is known to feature a diverse range of gliders and a very friendly atmosphere.
Aerobility
Located inside Blackbushe Airport, Aerobility is an excellent aero club that prides itself on its private pilot training programme. It has one of the best instructors in the county and is perfect for people who are looking for a budget-friendly aero club.
Given its relatively small size, the club has an impressive fleet of aircraft! Perhaps the most commendable thing about the club is that it also partakes in charity events focused on providing flying experiences and training opportunities to people with disabilities.
Tiger Club
Tiger Club isn’t exactly located in East Sussex but is highly accessible. Located near London, this club provides the best of both worlds. You can experience the thrills and jaw-dropping scenic views of East Sussex and enjoy a quick getaway to the beautiful aerial views found around London.
The club is known for its famous vintage aircraft collection which includes the iconic Tiger Moths. This club truly offers a unique flying and training experience and specialises in advanced aerial manoeuvres like tailwheel training and even formation flying.
Planning a Cross-County Trip
Here are some of the top tips to keep in mind when planning a cross-county trip from Sherburn:
Start with a Flight Plan
A solid flight plan is not only an important document in aviation, but it also ensures that you get the most out of your trip. A flight plan considers all the minute details that encompass your trip so you can refer to it even if you face unforeseen circumstances like bad weather.
A flight plan considers your route details and has information on the type of aircraft, fuel calculations, weather information, alternative routes, terrain type, and much more. This document can not only help pilots extract the most out of their trip but can also be useful in flight since you don’t have to make decisions on the fly and just refer to the flight plan for alternatives.
Most flight plans begin with a weather forecast for the day that you want to travel. This is an extremely important step because it ensures the safety of your aircraft (and yourself)! Pilots are recommended to use official resources for plotting their trip and accounting for weather conditions. This is why many pilots rely on METeorological Aerodrome Reports (METARs), or any accurate weather application that is specifically built for pilots.
You will also have to double-check fuel calculations for your trip and account for plausible deviations that may occur due to numerous factors related to the weather or the aircraft. These calculations not only help you set a budget but can also save you a lot of money on alternative routes.
For the best experience, we recommend that you share your flight plan with veteran pilots or use their flight plans for a similar trip as a starting point. Vetting your flight plan is necessary, especially for new pilots that don’t have a lot of experience with cross-county trips!
Fixed-Wing Aircraft
For planning a cross-county trip, we recommend going with a fixed-wing aircraft.
Fixed-wing are perfect for these types of trips because they offer better fuel efficiency and more reliability than flex-wing aircraft which are suitable for very short trips. Fixed wings have an enclosed cockpit and several instruments, and usually feature a powerful engine that makes them very ideal for trips longer than 200 miles.
These aircraft can also seat up to six passengers and have a higher TOW (Take Off Weight) so you may be able to get away with bringing along some cargo. We recommend that you check the specifications of your aircraft beforehand for the best experience.
Since these aircraft have several onboard instruments, you can also use them for flying in non- Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions such as at night or during mild bad weather. However, you will require an Instrument Rating (IR) to be able to fly these aircraft outside of VFR.
Book your Spot!
Aeroclubs are known to be busy spaces! This is why you must book your spot at the aero clubs that you want to visit beforehand. Many aero clubs have online websites where you can directly call them or send an email. Please keep in mind that you may also have to submit an online application for your booking at the Aero Club.
Most aero clubs have extensive information about visiting pilots on their websites. You might also want to check out if the Aero Club has any noise-mitigation policies or visitor policies for the best experience.
Finally, always make sure that you also book for accommodations if required. While some full-fledged aeroclubs may provide lodging for visitors, you may want to check in with the aero club to understand their facilities and availability of amenities.
Budget your Trip
Budgeting is an important part of any trip. If you want to get the most out of your cross-county trip to East Sussex, we recommend that you set a budget apart from the fuel calculations. As mentioned above, fuel calculations are important for planning routes and calculating the expenses specifically for your flight.
However, for the best experience, we recommend that you create a separate budget just for the miscellaneous expenses that may occur during your trip. This can include money for food and drinks, accommodation, road travel, etc.
Furthermore, it is recommended that pilots always keep some cash on them in person. This can be used for the rare occurrence of penalties or repairs. We suggest that young pilots talk to veteran pilots about how they budget their cross-county trips for the best experience.
Build your Network!
One of the best ways to get the most out of aviation is to build a network. Every veteran pilot has a vast network of pilots scattered across different counties. This can not only help you be more social but can also come in handy if you ever encounter a problem.
The pilot community is extremely vibrant and thrives on social interaction. Pilots love hanging out with other pilots and learn from each other.
By building your network, you can expand your mind, enhance your learning, and make lifelong friends that you can fly with!
Important Documentation
Pilots are required to always keep a set of documentation on their person. These documents can be your pilot license, medical certificate, clearance documents, flight plan, etc. Although you would rarely have to produce these documents for official purposes during a routine flight, it is always a good idea to keep a clear folder with all of these documents in one place when you fly.
For example, if you incur a penalty or fail to follow specific visitor policies at an aeroclub during your trip, you might be asked to provide these documents for authentication and record keeping.
Follow your Gut.
A pilot's intuition is everything and is an important factor in keeping the skies safe for everyone. If you have a bad gut feeling about the weather, for example, then it is best to delay your flight. Weather can be quite fickle and can change at a moment’s notice, even if you have clear predictions for the day you want to fly.
However, in aviation, there is an unsaid rule that it is better to be safe than sorry. If you are not comfortable with the weather conditions on a particular day, then we recommend that you remain grounded until you are comfortable on the tarmac.
You can also refer back to your flight plan for more information. As mentioned above, your flight plan should always have details on alternative routes and flight days. This can not only help you re-plan your trip, but you won't also have to start your flight plan from scratch.
Always Recheck Everything
Until you take off, nothing is final! A key thing that separates successful pilots is their ability to obsess over small details. Even when you are on the tarmac, you must recheck everything in your flight plan to make sure that you haven’t missed anything.
Even veteran pilots can miss a few particulars, but the thing is that they always catch these discrepancies before taking off! Before you conduct your preflight checks, we recommend that you go over your documentation, flight plan, and route details to confirm that you have everything in order before taking to the skies!
Always be on your Best Behaviour
As soon as you take off from your aero club, you become its ambassador! Every pilot is required to conduct themselves professionally on and off the tarmac. Your demeanour and character are a direct reflection of your training and the ethos of your aero club.
This is why pilots must always be on their best behaviour and be cordial with students from other aero clubs. This is an often-overlooked factor for new pilots but can go a long way in developing your character and even helping you progress in your aviation career.
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 Steve Payne on Unsplash
