Kent is a county in southeastern England that has a very rich history that spans over 1400 years. This county is home to jaw-dropping cathedrals and lush natural features that make it one of the best places for aerial photography and leisure flying.
Kent is a county in southeastern England that has a very rich history that spans over 1400 years. This county is home to jaw-dropping cathedrals and lush natural features that make it one of the best places for aerial photography and leisure flying.
However, one of the best reasons to visit Kent is its bustling aviation community. The county is home to several high-quality aeroclubs with a diverse range of aviators. If you have been looking for a nearby county to visit in a lightweight aircraft, then we think Kent should be at the top of your list.
In this guide, we will cover the importance of aero clubs, why they exist, the basics of aviation, and a list of the best aero clubs in Kent to fly to from Sherburn.
Why the World Needs Aero Clubs
Aero clubs have played a pivotal role in the aviation industry. Even before the advent of the modern airplane in the 1900s, aero clubs existed in one form or the other and were commonly frequented by engineers, scientists, and of course, enthusiastic aviators who dreamt of making flying possible.
In essence, aero clubs are large airfields that have their own fleet of aircraft. These aircraft are available for all members for a membership fee that allows access to not just various aircraft, but also the facilities of the club.
Of course, aero clubs are also known for their role in teaching aviators how to fly! Top aero clubs, like Sherburn Aero Club, offer various training programmes like Private Pilot Training and Commercial Pilot Training.
Furthermore, aero clubs are also known for their auxiliary services. For example, aero clubs enable pilots to purchase their own aircraft and also offer hangarage.
Aero clubs are a beacon for all aviators, regardless of their background. They allow aspiring pilots, as well as seasoned ones, to engage with a community of like-minded people under one roof.
For many enthusiasts, an aero club membership is priceless because of its numerous benefits. Whether it's access to aeroplanes, training facilities, engineering services, hangarage, or medical facilities, the benefits of aero clubs are immeasurable for aviators.
Why Should You Join an Aero Club?
Here are some of the top reasons why aviators need to join aero clubs:
Aero Clubs Make Aviation Affordable
Aviation requires quite a lot of capital. From real estate costs to equipment, ground crew, facilities, electrical equipment, instructors, and a fleet of aircraft – there are just too many costs involved in the pursuit of aviation.
This easily makes aviation one of the most expensive endeavours in the world.
But if aviation is so expensive, how can people afford to learn how to fly? Well, this is where aero clubs come in.
Aero clubs make aviation more accessible by dividing the total cost by many students. This means that the cost of flying can come down from a couple of thousands of euros to potentially a couple of hundred.
Aero clubs charge a monthly membership fee, in exchange, they offer members an airfield with a fleet of aeroplanes.
In many cases, aero clubs are owned by aviators and are specifically for aviators. This means that the money that is charged is used for the members’ benefit, such as in the upkeep of aeroplanes and the general maintenance of the airfield.
Aero clubs can further make aviation more affordable by charging an hourly flying rate, so you don’t have to worry about paying a lump sum of cash during the less-busy months or during months when the weather is bad.
Access to a Fleet of Aircraft
The fleet of any aero club is their bread and butter. The more diverse the fleet, the more members you will usually see at the club. The fleet of aircraft at any club represents its overall scale and quality.
While many smaller clubs don’t offer a diverse range of aircraft, the top ones usually offer various aircraft because they also offer extensive training services that include complex training modules like Commercial Pilot Training.
Of course, the fee is also directly proportional to the fleet of aircraft available at a club! So, if you are a seasoned pilot who wants the best of the best, then a top-tier aero club, like Sherburn Aero Club, is your best bet.
When you become part of an aero club, you automatically get access to a fleet of different aircraft, each with various specifications that are suited for multiple flying scenarios.
The benefit of having a fleet of aircraft is that you can begin your aviation journey with smaller aircraft and then have the option to graduate to more complex aircraft.
Sherburn’s fleet includes the Piper PA-28 Cadet, Piper PA-28 Warrior, Aero AT-3, and Robin 2160.
If you opt for a smaller club, we recommend that you first check out their fleet to see if they fit your flying needs.
Please keep in mind that bigger doesn’t always lead to higher costs. Even top-tier schools like Sherburn offer various financial incentives that make flying at the club more affordable for a wide range of people.
Aero Clubs Handle All Overheads
As mentioned above, aviation is an expensive endeavour, which includes maintenance of aircraft, hangarage, and other related expenses that can add up to a lot of money. However, with aero clubs, these services are built into the operations of the club!
Maintenance of aeroplanes is no doubt a hassle. Regular examinations and required part replacements are necessary! If you were to do all of this on your own, then this could result in hefty annual fees. You would also have to handle the back-and-forth involved in maintenance!
In the case of member-owned clubs, senior members will be appointed as officers. These officers will be held responsible for overseeing the airfield and aircraft. In other words, there is a sense of shared responsibility in aero clubs, so the burden isn’t just put on one person but is rather shared by all members which makes it incredibly more manageable.
Aero Clubs Build a Community.
Aero clubs in essence are community spaces where like-minded aviators can hang out and enjoy. This is perhaps the biggest allure of any aero club: the people.
When you join a club, you become part of a family that takes care of each other and has the utmost passion for aviation.
Aero clubs also work to help the community where they are located. This is why aero clubs regularly host events where members of nearby societies can join. Aero clubs also host air events or fundraisers that can raise awareness and help collect donations for a communal cause.
For pilots, the community of pilots is great for many reasons. For example, pilots can access senior and veteran pilots and seek advice!
Finally, aero clubs also provide the perfect space for making life-long friends. The chance to become friends with other pilots increases tenfold when you are part of a flying club since your membership allows you to regularly interact with other pilots.
Aero Clubs Help Aviators Become Better Pilots
Aero clubs serve to be places where pilots can hone their skills and become the best that they can be. Most clubs offer training courses for private pilots, with some offering advanced training, such as that required for a Commercial Pilot Licence, as well.
Flying clubs also make it easier for pilots to track their progress. For example, it is easier to log in-flight hours since everything is documented by the ground crew.
Several clubs like Sherburn Aero Club also offer classes for both the practical and theoretical exams needed to obtain a pilot licence.
Furthermore, the fact that you are always surrounded by passionate and challenging aviators is a big factor in why aero clubs are so great. By being surrounded by greatness, pilots will often try to push themselves even more to be better!
Pilot Licencing and Aero Clubs
As mentioned above, one of the primary roles of aero clubs is to produce capable pilots. Most aero clubs need to offer at least a Private Pilot Licence (PPL), or the relatively less requirement-intensive Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL).
Aero clubs help students to understand the basics of flight and gain the initial flight hours to apply for a PPL, such as PPL exam courses, simulator training, pilot medicals, as well as Flight Radiotelephony Officer Licence (FRTOL) training.
The good news is that every aero club is equipped to teach students according to their capacity- and since the fleet in most aero clubs is usually light aircraft, a LAPL or PPL can be obtained from virtually any club in the world.
Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
For most people, a PPL is the way to go since it offers relatively relaxed training requirements compared to other complex licences, like a Commercial Pilot Licence (more on this below).
The Private Pilot Licence (PPL) is the licence of choice for hobbyists looking for a casual flying experience. Using a PPL, pilots can fly light aircraft for leisure purposes. In other words, you cannot build a career or earn money from flying aircraft with a PPL.
The minimum age to get the PPL is 17 years, and a total of 45 hours of flight time must be logged in. 10 hours out of these 45 must be of a solo flight, with one of these flights being cross-country, totalling a distance of at least 270 km.
PPL candidates must also prove mastery of nine subjects via their corresponding theoretical exams. These subjects include Aerodynamics, Human and aircraft limitation, Meteorology, and much more. A minimum of 75% marks in each subject is necessary to qualify for the licence.
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
A CPL is what allows pilots to earn from their passion!
The Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) is the licence of choice for professionals who wish to build an aviation career and climb the typical job ladder. As you might have guessed, the minimum requirements for this licence are stricter than those required for a PPL.
The minimum age for the CPL is 18, with the aspiring professional pilot having logged in at least 200 hours of flight time. Furthermore, CPL pilots are expected to master additional courses like simulator training, instrument training, and night rating. They also have a more in-depth theoretical syllabus compared to a PPL program.
Best Aero Clubs in Kent to Fly to From Sherburn
Here are some of the best aero clubs in Kent to fly to from Sherburn:
Lydd Aero Club
Located at Lydd Airport, Lydd, Kent, this aero club has been operational for more than a decade and offers one of the best private pilot training in the county.
It has a friendly atmosphere and a collection of talented instructors and students. Since this aero club is located inside Lydd Airport, you can easily visit the club and experience its community! The club offers all the basic amenities that visiting pilots would expect, along with breathtaking views from the runway.
Falcon Flight Training Academy Limited
Falcon Flight Training Academy is a premier aero club located inside Biggin Hill Airport. This aero club is famous for making aviation more affordable for a wide range of people. The club achieved this by driving down the maintenance and training costs by using several best practices.
It has a wide panel of experts and is one of the best places to learn how to fly. We recommend this aero club for pilots who want to visit a professional school with a friendly attitude toward aviation.
Weald Air Services Limited
Located in The Aerodrome, Headcorn, Ashford, Kent, Weald Air Services is run by the Freeman family and is home to 16 full and part-time instructors.
These qualified instructors utilise the fleet of 14 aircraft owned and operated by Weald Air Services Ltd, to teach pilots how to fly in the most friendly and affordable way possible.
Bateleur Aviation
Operational since 1991, Bateleur Aviation is by far one of the oldest and most successful aero clubs in Kent. The school is home to several veteran instructors who provide top-class training to a whole army of passionate students.
Located in Headcorn Aerodrome, visiting pilots can expect to find all the amenities for networking as well as a range of services offered by the club.
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 Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash
