In this guide, we will learn the importance of flight schools and how you can choose the right light aircraft flying school for your needs.
Decided on taking up aviation as a profession or hobby? You will need to enrol in the right flight school to maximise your learning and get your pilot license in the most efficient way possible.
The role of flight schools is crucial, but it is more than just a place for pilot training. Flight schools don’t just train but they also nurture future pilots to be the best in the business. Not only this, but a great flight school can also provide pilots with the opportunity to meet other like-minded pilots as well.
In this guide, we will learn the importance of flight schools and how you can choose the right light aircraft flying school for your needs.
The Evolution of Flight Training
Flight training has come a long way since the early days of aviation. Back in the early 1900s, aviation was in its infancy and there were only a handful of people that could manufacture flight-capable planes for private use – and even those were designed to be unmanned since we still had not cracked the code of flight.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that the Wright brothers started to develop the first flight-capable light aircraft design that would later help establish a thriving aviation industry and inspire pilots to open dedicated flight schools across the world.
The Wright brothers solved two problems with their first light aircraft: the first, and most difficult, problem was to achieve manned flight in an aerodynamic aircraft that could stay airborne without crashing.
The second problem was related to control. Before the Wright brothers, there were quite a lot of attempts at developing light aircraft but all of them had one thing in common: they didn’t have a viable steering solution and were anchored to the ground.
The Wright brothers solved this issue by coming up with a 3-axis control design that would later revolutionise air travel and allow pilots to not just fly but execute complex manoeuvres in light aircraft. After slowly evolving their initial designs, the Wright brothers were ready to unveil their invention to the world.
In 1903, the brothers took to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina to attempt the very first manned flight in human history. Their light aircraft was affectionately named “Kitty Hawk” and was designed with a rigid wing system that was wrapped with a lightweight fabric. The plane was also fitted with a special combustible engine, which was another revolutionary idea that helped paved the way for more powerful aircraft.
Perhaps the biggest feat that the brothers pulled off was to land the aircraft in one piece. As discussed above, previous aircraft designs lacked control and would often crash when they were reeled back to the ground.
When the brothers landed Kitty Hawk back on the ground, they not only set a record but also inspired millions of people to take on aviation more seriously. This was an extremely important moment in history because it proved that flying was indeed possible, and it enabled the pre-aviation community around the world to invest human and monetary resources to make even better planes.
By the 1950s the aviation industry had already taken shape and there were not only dedicated companies focused on manufacturing light aircraft, but there were also plenty of flight schools operated by private pilots to train future pilots.
However, there was a new problem: there was a lack of regulation in the aviation industry. Since the nature of aviation has a few inherent risks, it became pertinent that there had to be an organisation that would set standards in aviation and oversee all air operations in the country. This is why the Civil Aviation Authority was formed.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was established in 1972 and its sole focus was to regulate the aviation industry. A benefit of having regulation is that the CAA can impose strict rules that need to be followed by all aviation-related companies. For example, the CAA has outlined safety instructions and has even developed a curriculum for flight training that needs to be implemented by all flight schools regardless of where they are located within the UK.
Thanks to the efforts of the CAA, the aviation industry of the UK has become one of the top in the world. More importantly, the flight schools in the UK are also regarded as one of the best in the world!
What You Can Expect from Flight Schools
Here are some of the things that you can expect when you enrol in a flight school:
Conduct and Grooming
Flight schools play an extremely important role because they provide pilots with not just training but also grooming. Pilots are held to a high standard and must conduct themselves in a certain way.
If you come across a pilot, the first thing that you will immediately notice, besides their uniform, is their unwavering demeanour. Being a pilot is a badge of honour that very few people get to wear. It is also one of the most well-respected professions in the world, no matter where you travel to. Since pilots are usually exposed to various cultures and get to meet different people, they develop a very refined and groomed personality that can inspire other people.
During training, flight instructors play the role of being not just teachers but also role models for students. So, you can expect to come out a completely changed person after you complete your training.
Introduction to Fleet of Light Aircraft
Light aircraft come in various forms and sizes. Light aircraft, for example, are known to be categorised as two: fixed-wing aircraft, and flex-wing aircraft. Fixed-wing aircraft are the most common type of light aircraft. They are built to be miniaturised versions of larger aircraft and are the top choice for flight instructors for training.
Flex wings are even lighter aircraft that have a simpler design. They are ideal for private pilots and for people who want to experience the thrills of aviation. When you enrol in a great flight school, like Sherburn Aero Club, you will get access to not one, or two, but a fleet of light aircraft.
To be a great pilot, you will need to train on various types of aircraft. Learning to fly different aircraft is crucial for flight training because it makes pilots more adaptable.
Community and Friends
The biggest advantage of enrolling in a great flight school is that you will get to meet a lot of people from all walks of life. Pilot training is open for everyone and with flexible payment schedules and monetary incentives, there is no better time than now to get into aviation.
Making the aviation industry accessible has allowed for more diversity which exposes pilots to people from different cultures and mindsets. We guarantee that you will likely find someone that matches your wavelength during flight training and it's also likely that you will end up making lifelong friends. This is a beautiful aspect of aviation and is one of the reasons why the aviation community around the world is so open and welcoming to fellow pilots!
How to Choose the Right Light Aircraft Flying School
Here are the factors that you need to keep in mind before enrolling in a flight school:
Accreditation and Reputation
Let’s start with the basics. The first thing that you need to ensure is that the flight schools have all the appropriate accreditation. Being accredited by aviation authorities guarantees a high standard of teaching and if you want your pilot licence in the most efficient way possible, then you will have to enrol in a CAA-approved training facility.
We also recommend that you double-check the reviews of the flight school. Look at the reviews from currently enrolled students and graduates to get a good idea about the quality of education being provided at the school.
Most flight schools will inflate their facilities in order to attract new students which is why you should always visit the school in person to determine if it is the right fit for you. You can also talk with a few flight instructors to get an idea about the experience of the faculty.
Variety of Training Programs
If you don’t know where your aviation journey will take you and want multiple flight training options for later then we recommend that you pick a school that offers a wealth of training programmes. For example, some pilots may enter into aviation for a private licence but may decide to commit to a career-focused licence, like a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).
The right approach in this context would be to examine the curriculum of the programmes offered at the school and see if they match that of other top schools in your area. Keep in mind that a balanced curriculum covers all the basics and requirements – and above everything else, the curriculum must also meet all your aviation goals!
Instructors
Flight schools are only as good as the instructors. Always check the faculty and put more weight on the experience of the instructors. In the field of aviation, flight hours usually determine the experience of a pilot and if you are looking to get taught by the best of the best, then you will need to enrol in a flight school that has a diverse range of highly experienced pilots.
We encourage you to also visit the training facility in person and meet with the trainers before making a final decision. Please keep in mind that flight instructors need to fulfil the role of teachers and role models, so only invest your money in a flight school that provides top-notch faculty that actually cares about the progress of their students.
The availability of instructors is an equally important factor to consider. Make sure that the faculty that you require is available as per your schedule. Many students enrol in a programme without prior planning which usually leads to a loss of money since you won't get the level of training that you require, and you will likely end up redoing the training modules in your programme.
Location of the Flight School
The location of the flight school and its proximity to where you live are extremely important factors to consider when picking a flight school. The goal here is to get to training on time and get your licence at the earliest.
If you waste time and money commuting to a flight school that is considerably farther than your residence, then you may begin to think of flight training as a burden instead of approaching it with joy and enthusiasm.
The flight school must also have appropriate airspace for training. If the flight school is located near multiple restricted airspaces, then you might not be able to reach your training goals as effectively.
School Facilities
While there are many flight schools in the UK, not all of them offer top-notch and comprehensive training facilities. If you want to be the best, then you should also have access to the best training equipment.
Facilities like flight simulators are essential for pilots that want to cover all the bases for their training. Simulation training is incredibly important for pilots that want to equip themselves with the means of manoeuvring out of various situations. This way, pilots can safely train for emergencies without endangering their life and the aircraft.
Costs
Even if a flight school has everything that you need, your final decision must come down to the costs associated with your desired training programme. The best way to pick a flight school in the context of costs is to do a comparative analysis.
Draw multiple rows and columns on a notepad and list down the benefits and cons of the flight schools that you want to enrol in. Next, list down the costs of each flight school and then make an informed decision by choosing the best flight school according to your needs.
Training costs can include tuition fees, rental fees, fuel expenses, and other miscellaneous or additional expenses related to study materials. It's also a good idea to check whether a flight school offers scholarships, discounts, or other incentives that can ease your financial burden during training.
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.
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