Keep on reading to learn more about the best places and destinations to visit, inspired by the opinions of private pilots from various online threads.
Sherburn in Elmet offers a diverse range of landscapes and skylines that will have your jaw on the floor of the cockpit. With a mix of beautiful sunsets, coastlines, hilly areas, open fields, and enchanting towns, Sherburn is perhaps one of the best places for private pilots to explore, especially if they have just obtained their pilot's licence.
If you have been looking for trips and destinations nearby and want to get the most out of your licence, then you have come to the right guide.
Keep on reading to learn more about the best places and destinations to visit, inspired by the opinions of private pilots from various online threads.
Flight Schools – Empowering Pilots
Flight schools are your gateway to the world of aviation. They are highly specialised places where the average Joe cannot only join a community of enthusiasts but also work towards obtaining a private or commercial pilot licence.
Flight schools have been around since the first manned flight by the Wright brothers in the early 1900s. Since then, these schools have become the backbone of modern aviation, offering a place for pilots to train and to meet like-minded people.
Flight schools not only help candidates expand their network, but they are also immensely helpful in helping aviators learn about every aspect of aviation through school events, meetings, and workshops.
Whether it is a commercial pilot licence to help you establish a career in aviation, or a private pilot licence geared towards recreational flying, flight schools offer versatility and can help you achieve your ambitions in aviation.
Not to mention, large and comprehensive flight schools like Sherburn Aero Club also offer club memberships. This membership can open a world of possibilities for you, from learning from others in the field to flying together to various scenic destinations.
So, if you want to gain access to the skies, then your best bet is to first get into a flight school that best suits your needs.
Trips and Destinations – Scenic Routes
Sherburn Aero Club is one of the UK’s largest flying clubs based at Sherburn-in-Elmet Airfield. It provides access to various scenic locations and is the de facto choice for pilots in the region looking for VFR flying adventures.
Let’s look at some of the top scenic flight experiences in Sherburn:
Yorkshire Coast Route
Picture this: you and your friends want to break from your daily routine and fly to someplace that provides rich architecture, clear skies, and jaw-dropping views.
You plan to fly over manmade and natural structures, but are confused about where to start. Some of your friends suggest a region with a coastline, while others want to explore the charming towns from the skies.
There appears to be a stalemate within your group until one of you realises that you can fulfil the needs of your entire group by picking just one route: the Yorkshire Coast Route.
Known for its short but memorable 90-minute flight, this route will enable you to fly over the Humber Estuary, the beautiful Hornsea, Bridlington, Flamborough Head, and even Scarborough.
It is the perfect destination for people who want a mix of manmade and coastal landscapes right within the reach of Sherburn.
Dambusters – History Centric Flight
What if you are in the mood for flying to an area that is rich in history? Scenic flights are awesome on their own, but sometimes, you can get bored with them. If you are looking to unlock a new perspective while flying, then we highly recommend that you take the Dambusters route.
Covered within 75 minutes, this route will allow you to retrace World War II RAF 617 Squadron training paths. That’s right, you get to experience the same training routes of valiant pilots back in the day.
The route includes views of the Derwent Valley and Chatsworth House as well, which is a cherry on top for people looking for a scenic and historically rich destination.
Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales is perhaps the best route for people who love nature and want to dabble in aerial photography.
A 90-minute route from Sherburn, the Yorkshire Dales offers extensive rolling hills, patchwork fields, rivers and valleys, and an excellent diversity of both flora and fauna in the region.
It is the best destination for nature lovers and can be accessed from Sherburn with ease, making it an ideal choice for a casual but memorable flight.
Best Destinations for Short Trips, Social Flying, and Visits
Apart from flying for nature, you can also plan various short trips for socialising with other pilots in the region and even for lunch stops.
Here are some additional great routes for you and your friends when flying from Sherburn:
Beverley Airfield
This airfield is not only near Sherburn, but it also offers a scenic hop through the Yorkshire countryside. It is a great route for beginners looking for relaxed flying and social hangouts at another aero club.
We highly recommend that you plan your visit and book your spot before arrival to confirm availability. Depending on the season, aero clubs may have busy airspaces, but by booking everything in advance, you can guarantee a smooth flight.
Durham Area
Durham provides an excellent northern route and is perhaps one of the most frequented locations for pilots in Sherburn due to its proximity to the Northeast Flying Club. The club offers various amenities for visiting pilots, and newcomers can expand their social network and hang out with their friends while visiting.
Derby Airfield
Known for being a central UK destination for private pilots, this route offers scenic access to the Midlands and beyond and is perhaps one of the best places for private pilots to hang out with their mates and explore the diverse terrain the region has to offer.
You get refuelling opportunities, great parking, friendly staff, and one of the most vibrant aviation communities in the region.
Basic Pre-Flight Checklist
Inspired by our list? Well, before you head out to your aircraft, let’s go over a few basic checklists that you may want to keep in mind before planning for a destination:
Pre-Flight Planning
Flight planning is your best bet for flying safely and successfully. We have mentioned several great spots in our list above, but keep in mind that if you want the most out of your trip, then you will have to plan everything meticulously.
Your flight plan must contain every small and major detail about your trip. This includes highlighting the best routes for reaching your destination, fuel calculations, lodging and accommodation details, budgeting, bookings, and more.
A comprehensive flight plan will not only make it easier for you to fly but will also enable you to enjoy your trip with your friends to the fullest.
Obtaining Advice
What separates good pilots from the best? They listen to advice and are open to suggestions, regardless of their experience and training.
Aviation is an experience-based industry where people benefit from learning from others. If you want to plan the perfect trip, then you must start by asking around. Talk to veteran pilots at your club or your instructors about how to access your planned destinations easily.
They can offer valuable insights and help you avoid mistakes that may take away from your overall experience.
Conduct Yourself Professionally
Pilots are a different breed, not because they possess the ability to operate aircraft and fly, but because they conduct themselves highly professionally.
Professionalism is at the core of every flight school, and while you may be flying with your mates and looking for a good time, the goal of every pilot must be to remain professional and grounded wherever you go.
When visiting new places or flight schools, it is important that you remain on your best behaviour and conduct yourself professionally. Remember, you are your school’s ambassador and carry with you the ethos of your club.
Choosing the Right Flight School
Looking to join a flight school for training and becoming part of one of the world’s most exciting industries? Then we recommend that you start right and pick a flight school that best suits your needs.
Here are three important steps in choosing the right flight school for your needs:
Manage your Expectations
Flight training is an expensive endeavour, and while your wish list might be long, you will have to manage your expectations and make careful decisions when picking the right flight school.
We recommend that you start by writing down what you expect to have in your dream flight school and make a checklist. For example, if you are going for a commercial license, then you will require a school with comprehensive services, including additional facilities like simulation training, better tertiary services, and in-depth flight training courses.
Private pilot training, on the other hand, is very common and can be found in almost every flight school. However, you might want to check for amenities like a café, a meeting area, or a common area for relaxation and networking.
Aircraft Diversity
Flight schools are only as good as the aircraft they provide for training. Larger schools, like Sherburn Aero Club, have a fleet of diverse aircraft. For example, if you are interested in aerobatic training, then make sure that the flight school offers a compatible aircraft like the Cessna C150 Aerobat.
Aim for schools that usually offer microlights, flex and fixed-wing light aircraft, and even twin-engine aircraft.
Allocating Resources
For the best experience, you will need to ensure that your budget matches the shortlisted schools, especially the school's fee structure.
Smaller schools that only offer private pilot training will be more accessible compared to a comprehensive school that provides various other services and amenities. However, keep in mind that these schools also provide better value because they provide you with a diverse fleet, more capable instructors, medical examiners, club services, and much more.
These types of schools may also offer scholarships, deals, and discounts. We recommend that you check the fee structure and see if the school offers any discounts that you can avail.
How Much Training Is Required to Become a Pilot?
The “depth” of flight training exclusively depends on the type of license you want to pursue. There are three core licences for pilots:
PPL and LAPL allow you to pilot an aircraft for recreational purposes, while CPL is for those who wish to pursue a career in aviation and monetise their skills. PPL and LAPL holders cannot use their training for commercial purposes like crop dusting, air-medical services, surveying, and more.
CPL requires stricter training since you will be flying precious lives and cargo. It also offers a lot of versatility and opportunities that make up for the gruelling training regimen. This comes in the form of compensation, job benefits, career opportunities and of course, major bragging rights.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) requires a minimum of 45 flight hours for a PPL, but most students need around 60–70 hours to become proficient, while a CPL requires a minimum of 200 flight hours, which also includes 80 hours of ground school training.
PPL and LAPL requirements are relatively relaxed, since you are only expected to fly recreationally. LAPL, specifically, offers the least amount of training but severely limits your capabilities.
If you are not fully onboard with a CPL, then you can start with a PPL and begin stacking the flight hours that you can later carry forward to your CPL licence whenever you choose to pursue it.
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 offers a dedicated day-long Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL) course for those wishing to get the certification, running on 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.
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 licensing procedures and pilot training at Sherburn.
Photo by Gary Butterfield on Unsplash
