If you are someone who has always wanted to fly but is on the fence about actually committing to flying, experience flights may be exactly what you need.
If you are someone who has always wanted to fly but is on the fence about actually committing to flying, experience flights may be exactly what you need. Made especially for those with no background in aviation, experience flights are perfect for beginner pilots or people who wish to try out flying an aeroplane and check it off their bucket lists.
Experience flights are a great way to help you decide whether aviation is the right career or hobby for you. Given how much time, energy, effort, and dedication are required when it comes to becoming a pilot, it is understandable if you are having second thoughts before committing.
You may have always dreamt of flying, but you find after your first flight that you prefer to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground. Many things, especially those that require as much effort as flying, require you to first get a taste of the activity to find out if it is something that is suited to you.
Not only are experience flights a great way to help you decide whether flying is right for you, but it is also a great way to make a special occasion even more special by giving someone this experience of a lifetime as a gift.
Also, experience flights are a great way to ignite the love of flying in young people and old ones alike. They are easy to book and are perfect for people who have no experience in flying an aircraft.
It can be your absolute first time climbing into the cockpit of an aeroplane, but you can rest assured that you will have a wonderful time accompanied by trained professionals who are there to make your flight as smooth and fun as possible.
If you wish to find out more about what experience flights are, where you can find them, and what you have to do in order to sign up for one, then you have come across the right article. Here we have listed down everything you need to know about experience flights to get you excited about your next big adventure in the sky!
WHAT IS AN EXPERIENCE FLIGHT?
An experience flight is designed for people who do not have any background in aviation. That means you do not need any training or licence in order to undertake an experience flight. Normally, flying without a licence is illegal, not to mention highly dangerous both to yourself and to the people on the ground.
However, experience flights are custom-built to make sure you can fly an aeroplane safely. You are accompanied by a trained professional, most often a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), who makes sure the flight goes smoothly and that you are kept well away from any dangerous situations.
The CFI is the main person in control, allowing you to pilot the aircraft without worrying too much. These flights are normally fairly straightforward and don’t require too much skill. They are designed to be easy, and you probably won’t be allowed to fly in any unsuitable weather conditions either.
Once you’re in the sky, you’ll find out that flying in a straight line really isn’t all that difficult, and the CFI will be present to help you any time you feel nervous or too anxious to continue to pilot the aircraft. Even if you are a nervous flyer, you can rest assured that you will have a smooth flight, given that you will be with an experienced professional.
However, if you want something a bit more adventurous, you can also sign up for an aerobatics experience! To make experience flights even more special, you can request to take along a guest. Whether this will be allowed will be at the discretion of the professionals, but chances are you’ll be able to make any special occasion so much more so by getting to experience the magic of flying an aeroplane.
Chances are, this may even kick-start a love of aviation in you, and you might even end up signing up for training to get your pilot licence. Given how much fun and rewarding flying is, it would come as no surprise if you find yourself falling in love with flying!
WHAT AEROPLANE WILL YOU GET TO FLY?
When it comes to experience flights, the most common type of aeroplane that you will get to fly are light aircraft, such as the ones used by beginner pilots-in-training.
Light aircraft often have a single engine, making them smaller in size and far easier to manoeuvre given the far less complicated controls and aerodynamics involved as compared to a multi-engine aeroplane. If you sign up for a flight experience through a flying club such as Sherburn Aero Club, you will get to fly one of the aeroplanes that are part of the club’s fleet. These aircraft are industry standard and are used to train pilots as well.
Examples of aeroplanes include the Piper PA-28 as well as the Aero AT3. While the Piper is the aeroplane of choice for most pilots who fly single-engine aircraft, the Robin 2160 is better suited for those who are interested in aerobatics as well.
These aeroplanes are well-maintained and guarantee a smooth flight experience. The single-engines are easier to handle as compared to multi-engine aeroplanes due to their smaller size, which makes them lighter and easier to fly.
If you wish to sign up for an experience flight on a smaller aeroplane such as a microlight, you have the option to do so through Sherburn’s partner company, Breeze Aviation, which specialises in microlights.
Aeroplanes such as the Piper have a seating capacity of up to two people, so you will always be accompanied by the Certified Flight Instructor assigned to you. There is a detailed section about the different types of aeroplanes and experiences available further down this article.
IS THERE A LICENCE REQUIREMENT?
As mentioned already, licences are not a requirement for an experience flight. The whole point of the flight is to allow people who are new to aviation to try their hand at flying an aeroplane.
The CFI who will be accompanying you will hold a Commercial Pilot Licence at the very least since this is a requirement for anyone who wishes to fly aeroplanes in a professional capacity. All you will need is a valid ID which clearly states your age in order to be eligible to fly.
WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER SIGNING UP?
There are so many great reasons why you should consider an experience flight. However, it is important to note that if you wish to fly more often, it is recommended that you begin training for a licence. Experience flights can become limited in their scope after a while, and unless you are a beginner in aviation, chances are you will want to sharpen your skills further and learn how to pilot an aeroplane on your own eventually.
The cost of experience flights can add up quickly, and if you plan to fly more often, you may find getting a licence and signing up for an aeroclub membership far more practical and economical.
Experience flights are also subject to availability, and if you fly regularly, you would want to have an aircraft available for you whenever you choose to fly. They are also scheduled strictly, so pilots who wish to fly regularly may find them inconvenient as they may not fit into their schedule.
Regardless, for those who wish to experience flying for the first time or wish to have a special evening with their loved one in the sky, experience flights are the go-to. Here are all the reasons why experience flights are a great investment.
Find out if you truly have a passion for flying
As mentioned above, if you are intrigued by the idea of flying but aren’t sure whether it is right for you, it may be time for you to try it out for yourself.
Signing up for lessons and then investing time and money into them may not be very practical if you aren’t entirely sure about whether you want to be a pilot in the first place. For this reason, experience flights are the perfect investment. They can allow you to take to the sky through a hassle-free process and see for yourself what all the hype is about! You’ll likely be ready to sign up for lessons soon after since flying is one of the best hobbies and wonderful career options out there.
An experience flight makes for an amazing gift
Sure, flowers and cakes are great, but if you want to make someone’s special day truly unforgettable, you may want to consider gifting them an experience flight! This is a present that is hard to beat, and chances are you’ll be crowned the greatest gift-giver ever after this!
Low-commitment flying opportunity
If you want to fly but don’t have the time or money to invest in a full-blown flying career, then experience flights are a great way to enjoy piloting an aircraft without the commitment.
If you already have a job or are caught up with school and other extracurriculars, taking out the time for flying lessons may not be an option. In such cases, experience flights are perfect for crossing out flying on your bucket list.
Enjoy the thrill of an unbeatable view
Few things are as breathtaking as aerial views! There’s a reason humans have always longed to fly, and the unbeatable view definitely comes out on top! You can speak with your CFI and work out if it’s possible to fly over certain destinations that you’ve always wanted to view from above.
If the location is in a doable area, chances are your request will be accommodated and you will be all set for the experience (and view) of a lifetime!
WHERE CAN YOU FIND EXPERIENCE FLIGHTS?
Flight experiences can be found in dedicated flight schools as well as at aero clubs like Sherburn. While experience flights, also sometimes referred to as trial flights, are more geared toward beginner pilots taking their first steps into the world of aviation, experience flights are more catered towards people who would like to enjoy the thrill of flying without the commitment.
HOW CAN YOU SIGN UP?
If you wish to sign up for an experience flight with Sherburn, you’ll find that the process is fast and easy. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of everything that you need to know.
Pick your preferred experience
There are a few different types of experience flights, varying according to the aircraft being flown and the amount of time you will be in the air. Flight times range from 30 to 60 minutes, and can be scheduled on the Piper PA-28, the Aero AT3, or the Robin 2160 (which is specifically designed for aerobatics).
No-hassle payment
The payment can be made securely via the Sherburn website. You can easily purchase a voucher for the flight and then make a payment via debit/credit card or PayPal within minutes. Here are the fees for each type of flight:
Piper PA-28 (60 minutes): GBP 222
Piper PA-28 (30 minutes): GBP 116
Aero AT3 (60 minutes): GBP 186
Aero AT3 (30 minutes): GBP 98
Robin 2160 aerobatics experience (45 minutes): GBP 166
Call to book
To make sure you secure a spot on the date that you are available, be sure to book well in advance. Flight experiences are popular and tend to fill out fast, especially when the weather is warm and lovely. You can call Sherburn’s main desk, which will then assist you in scheduling a flight.
Pre-flight preparation
You can discuss with the CFI whether you can bring along a second passenger and whether there are any landmarks that you would like to see during your flight. Keep in mind that you can only take another person with you on the Piper PA-28 since this is the only aircraft with enough seating capacity for more than two people.
You must be 12 or over in order to be able to fly. Be sure to check the website’s eligibility criteria concerning height and weight before signing up! You will be briefed about what to expect during the flight during this time and the CFI will help familiarise you with the controls.
Take off!
You’re ready to fly!
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.
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.
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 licenses, along with pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward.
Sherburn also 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.
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. 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 also offers pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward. You are required to take medical exams to prove you are fit enough to take to the skies when applying for a licence, and the facility at Sherburn allows you to start your aviation journey on the right foot.
Our in-house AME, Dr Mark Bellamy, is rated to perform EASA Class 2 and LAPL. He also holds a fixed-wing PPL. Appointments are available every Monday and Tuesday, as well as on occasional Saturdays.
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 on 01977 682 674, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on flight experiences as well as how to book your experience flight at Sherburn.
Photo by Chris Leipelt on Unsplash
