A private pilot from the United Kingdom can easily fly to Germany, given they have the needed documentation and pilot licence that allows them to fly into European Union territories.
If you are already the proud owner of a Private Pilot Licence (PPL), it may be a good idea to upgrade it to Part FCL, which can allow you to experience the vast beauty and adventure that lies in wait across Europe.
One of the best locations for private pilots to fly to from the United Kingdom is Germany, which has quite a bit to offer to those who visit! A private pilot from the United Kingdom can easily fly to Germany, given they have the needed documentation and pilot licence that allows them to fly into European Union territories.
With the UK leaving the European Union following Brexit, there have been a few additional steps that pilots have to undergo when flying in EU territory, but it’s a smooth process that isn’t much of a hindrance.
WHY SHOULD YOU FLY TO GERMANY?
There are many reasons to visit Germany, which offers a great blend of natural beauty and culture. The country has a rich history which lends its cities a truly cosmopolitan vibe, and the scenic beauty of the natural landscapes is truly something to behold.
The country is also incredibly attractive to art and music lovers, with the country hosting several festivals. One of the most popular of the lot is the Oktoberfest, which attracts a huge number of people from across the world each year.
Home to fast-paced cities as well as slow and peaceful towns and villages, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this major tourist destination. Germany caters to travellers from across the world, with a thriving international community, which includes pilots from all across the world, including the UK!
Pilots have the opportunity to fly over glittering cities teeming with life, as well as natural wonders such as the vast Black Forest or the awe-inducing Bavarian Alps! There are many airfields and accompanying aero clubs in Germany that welcome pilots from all across the world, and this article lists the top aero clubs that you can fly to when travelling to the country.
AERO CLUB STUTTGART
Aero Club Stuttgart is located in Baden-Württemberg and is one of the largest clubs of its kind in the area. The flying club was founded in 1950 and has since grown to foster a community of diverse pilots from across the country and beyond.
The club caters to pilots interested in both gliding as well as powered flights. The club has a variety of Light-Sport Aircrafts (LSAs), which can be flown to scenic areas such as Hohenzollern Castle, the Alps, and Lake Constance. You can even take your aeroplane out towards the sea for some beautiful coastal scenery!
The airfield is located in Hahnweide Airport, with the club catering to both beginners as well as experienced pilots with years of experience behind them.
Attractions nearby
Located in Southern Germany, Stuttgart is the capital city of the Baden-Württemberg province, offering quite a lot in terms of both culture and scenery. Stuttgart is home to many art galleries, boasting a fine collection of pieces as well as architectural marvels. The city is a top tourist destination, with a Christmas Market that runs all year round!
For automobile lovers, the city is also home to the Mercedes-Benz Museum, which exhibits a total of 160 vehicles. The Porsche Museum is also located in the area. For lovers of grand architecture, the city is the location of the stunning Ludwigsburg Palace, which is a major tourist attraction owing to its beautiful and dreamy interior.
AERO CLUB MUENCHEN
The Aero Club Muenchen is located in Munich, allowing pilots to fly across the country, including around Munich as well as among the Bavarian Alps! The club caters to pilots from across the world, offering cross-country flights as well.
One of the top clubs in the country, Aero Club Muenchen has a fleet of both powered aircraft as well as gliders. The powered aircraft models include the Piper PA-28, the Super Dimona, Breezer, and Comco Ikarus! The club also offers training for private pilots, leading up to a Private Pilot Licence with an Aeroplane rating. The club is a great place for beginner pilots to sharpen their aviation skills and learn from some of the best pilots in Germany.
Attractions nearby
Munich is the third-largest city in Germany and is the capital of Bavaria, located on the very fringes of the magnificent Bavarian Alps. The city has a rich history with winding streets, the old city square, and the Marienplatz.
The city also has many cultural attractions, thanks to the festivals that take place annually in the area. This attracts many young tourists to the city, making it lively and fun. Also home to some gorgeous public parks, including the 900-year-old English Garden, there is much for nature lovers in the city. The parks and gardens are perfect locations for strolls or biking, allowing people to soak in the natural beauty of the area.
FLIEGERCLUB WESTFALEN
Established in 1959, the Fliegerclub Westfalen is located in the bustling German area of Dortmund. The club is home to the Cessna 172 D-EDIB Quinta, offering beginners and those without access to their own aircraft the ability to fly a state-of-the-art aircraft.
The club operates out of the busy Dortmund-Wickede airport, which makes it a great location for international flyers. Home to a diverse community of pilots, the club is a great gateway into the rest of the country for those flying in from the UK!
Attractions nearby
While Dortmund is considered the heart of the German steel and coal industries, the largest city in Westphalia has a lot more to offer, including museums and several cultural attractions. Dortmund is an incredibly pedestrian-friendly city, with a large number of parks and open spaces for people to walk around and take in the fresh air.
For history lovers, the Old Town in Dortmund is home to the Old Market which dates back to the 12th century and continues to be a popular shopping destination to this day, with several boutiques and shops lining the area. St Reinold’s Church is one the most prominent features of the city’s skyline, making it one of the most popular attractions in Dortmund.
There are also zoos and conservation centres for those who love to be around animals, with Dortmund Zoo and Romberpark home to a variety of wild animals from across the world.
DARMSTADT FLYING CLUB
Located at Egelsbach Airport, the Darmstadt Flying Club is an English-speaking aero club, which makes it perfect for pilots flying in from the United Kingdom. The club is home to the Cessna 152, as well as the Cessna 172.
All of the club’s pilots are holders of either the US pilots licence or an EASA-approved pilot licence, which means UK pilots can easily fit into the community. The club is highly supportive of pilots looking to upgrade their skills or their licence, offering the fleet and training services to all its members.
Darmstadt Flying Club is a great option for UK pilots looking to become members of an aero club in Germany, given their accommodations for English-speaking individuals, as well as their thriving community of aviation lovers!
Attractions nearby
Egelsbach is a small community numbering about 11,000. The area offers much in the way of sightseeing as well as a wide variety of small parks perfect for casual strolls. Egelsbach is located close to the bustling city of Frankfurt, with a diverse population and much to offer in terms of art and culture. The old town square, Romerberg, is at the heart of Frankfurt’s historic old town, thriving since the 9th century.
For fans of tall buildings, Frankfurt is also home to the 56-story Maintower, with a rooftop observatory open to the public! Frankfurt is also home to the Palm Garden, the largest botanic garden in Germany that opened its doors in 1871!
ARROW AIRSERVICE
With a well-established flight school that helps pilots sharpen their skills and excel in the art of aviation, Arrow Airservice is located in Strausberg. The club also offers experience flights to those wanting to test the waters before diving headfirst into the world of flying.
For those flying in from abroad (as well as local pilots), Arrow Airservice provides sightseeing flights, which include a trip over the glittering Baltic sea! For lovers of coastal landscapes and large bodies of water, this should not be missed.
Attractions nearby
Strausberg is close to the tourist destination of Brandenburg. It is a great place from where to explore the wonderful scenery of central Germany, with much to offer in terms of beauty. The city’s Old Town Hall is also an attractive tourist site, built-in 1470 and comprising gorgeous gothic architecture. The city is also home to various churches, as well as the National Archaeological Museum.
FLYING TO GERMANY FROM SHERBURN AERO CLUB
Flying to Germany from the United Kingdom is fairly easy for private pilots. When taking off from the Sherburn airfield in Leeds, it will take pilots around two hours and fifteen minutes to get to Berlin if they take a non-stop flight.
However, this time is contingent on a lot of other factors as well, apart from whether the pilot makes stops along the way or not. One of the ways the flight may take longer than average is if the pilot is new to flying internationally or if they are flying a slower aircraft.
Most aircraft come with different speeds, which may amount to a difference of several minutes when it comes to travel time. Weather and visibility are also important factors to take into account when it comes to how long a flight may take.
When flying in cloudy weather, which makes for a bumpy flight, or in conditions of limited visibility, the pilot may proceed with added caution and fly at a speed slower than the average.
WHAT LICENCE WILL YOU NEED?
When it comes to travelling to any country that is part of the European Union, it is necessary for the pilot to hold a licence that is approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). While the Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) and the National Private Pilot Licence (NPPL) are both United Kingdom-specific, with the licences only used to fly within the UK borders, the Private Pilot Licence (PPL) can be used to travel outside of the country.
However, there are some important steps you need to take before you are able to use your PPL to fly into EU territory. For your PPL to be EASA-acceptable, it must be Part-FCL (Flight Crew Licencing). When your PPL is Part-FCL, you are allowed to fly any EASA-approved aircraft in the EU territories.
It is a good idea for all private pilots to upgrade their PPL since it broadens their horizons and allows them to fly to and connect with the people of various countries outside of the UK.
WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN AN AERO CLUB?
If you’re looking for reasons to join a flying club, rest assured, there are many! Joining a club is a great investment that is bound to further your aviation journey. Not only do flying clubs allow you to connect with a community of like-minded aviation lovers and pilots, but they also encourage you to continue perfecting your flying skills by introducing a certain level of healthy competition.
Apart from this, joining an aviation club allows pilots to save quite a bit of financial resources. The club provides access to a variety of aircraft that is available for hire on an hourly basis, allowing the pilot to make use of the aeroplane without having to invest in a private aircraft for themselves.
This makes flying accessible to a wide variety of people, and also adds variety to the aircraft that pilots who already own their own aeroplanes have available to them. Clubs are also mostly member-owned, which means the money that members pay as part of the fee goes into maintaining the club and providing services to them.
Flying clubs are usually places for people with a passion to come together and share their knowledge and experiences, and these clubs are mostly not built with making a financial profit in mind. All this makes getting a flying club membership well worth it for both beginner pilots as well as those who have years upon years of experience behind them.
WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB?
Sherburn Aero Club opened its doors in 1964 and went on to become one of the largest flying clubs in the North of England and also one of the largest in the country. The flying club opened a flight training school in the 1970s which was followed by several major investments including a large fleet of new aircraft and an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse.
Being both a flying club and a flight training school, we are well-positioned to cater to our members and their friends and families, before, during, and after they become qualified pilots. We aim to give all of our members a fun social environment whilst providing the opportunity to continue to build on their experience and expand their horizons.
Whether you are taking to the skies for an experience flight or starting your flying career, Sherburn has it all to offer. 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.
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.
Call us on 01977 682 674, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information about flying to Germany and airfields in the area.
Photo by Kai Pilger on Unsplash
