TRAINING

Why choose Sherburn Aero Club?
What is an air experience flight?
Who can learn to fly?
Must I be very fit?
Which aeroplane will I train in?
Can any pilot teach me?
How much does it cost?
How do I start?
What does the PPL course consist of?
What is covered in the flying syllabus?
What examinations are involved?
What about after I'm qualified?

What advanced tuition is available?

WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB?

Sherburn airfield is situated in controlled airspace within the Church Fenton Military Air Traffic Zone (MATZ), and only a short flying distance from Leeds-Bradford International Airport.

We benefit from having a busy commercial airport on our doorstep and the Royal Air Force as close neighbours, both of whom provide us with excellent air traffic and radar services.

Being situated in uncontrolled airspace we can offer full value for money. Taxying distance to our runways is short, with no time wasted 'holding' for commercial traffic. Once airborne no time is lost travelling to and from our flying training area.

Sherburn has 3 grass and 1 tarmac runways which cater for most of the wind directions we encounter. The runways are licensed by the CAA.

We have a staff of highly qualified instructors who operate 7 days a week during the hours of daylight. All our aircraft are maintained in the Public Transport category by licensed engineers at Sherburn Engineering, Limited.

It is our aim at Sherburn to offer an efficient friendly service to our members, and we take pride in the progress and achievements of our students and PPLs/NPPLs, many of whom have progressed to become Service or commercial pilots.

When you have your Private Pilots Licence (PPL), or your National Private Pilots Licence (NPPL), you will have proved something to yourself and to those about you. You will have found a new kind of freedom and personal fulfilment.

Before committing yourself why not try an Air Experience Flight?

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WHAT IS AN AIR EXPERIENCE FLIGHT?

An Air Experience Flight (sometimes called a trial flight) allows you to enjoy a taste of flying a light aircraft. Your pre-flight briefing will cover how an aircraft flies and how the controls work. You will have plenty of opportunity to ask questions, and once you are seated in the aircraft your instructor will explain the main flight instruments. As your aircraft climbs away from the runway your instructor will demonstrate how to fly the aircraft and handle the controls. Then it's your turn! You'll discover how easy it is, how responsive the controls are, and why so many people are captivated by the challenge and thrill of flying. After the flight your instructor will debrief you on the training and your aptitude, and answer any questions that you may have.

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WHO CAN LEARN TO FLY?

Virtually anyone. Quite ordinary people make excellent pilots, as you will discover when you visit the club. There is no minimum educational requirement, and no upper age limit. There is no lower age limit but you must be at least 17 years old before you can fly an aircraft solo and obtain a PPL. There is no special skill required - if you can drive a car you can fly an aeroplane!

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MUST I BE VERY FIT?

No - you don't even need a medical certificate to start. However, you will require one before we can let you fly an aircraft solo.

Medicals for the JAR-PPL can only be performed by a doctor approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Medicals for the NPPL (introduced in 2002), however, can be done by your GP. Please see the NPPL website: www.nppl.uk.com.

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WHICH AEROPLANE WILL I TRAIN IN?

For flying training Sherburn Aero Club operates Piper Cadet aircraft and Cessna 150's. The Robin 2160 is also used for 'ab initio' training. These aircraft are also available for hire once you have your licence, so that you can take your family and friends up for a flight, or even on holiday abroad.

The Piper Cadet is a low-wing tricycle-undercarriage aircraft, with the comfort inside of a wide cabin and a very low noise level. Entry to the aircraft is via a single door over the wing which is easy to open and close, thereby promoting a very easy method of entry and exit. On the ground the aeroplane is steered via the nose-wheel which is positively linked to the rudder pedals making it very manageable. In the air the aircraft climbs at 800ft/min., and once settled in the cruise, stability in all three axes is good. The Cadet is pleasant and stable to fly, and has the added bonus of being a very robust and reliable aircraft.

In addition to the Piper Cadet Sherburn Aero Club fly the Cessna 150. This is a 2-seater high-wing, tricycle-undercarriage aircraft which has been the workhorse of flying training for numerous years, and on which many students have trained for their PPL.

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CAN ANY PILOT TEACH ME?

No - only a qualified flying instructor. All flying instructors must hold a Professional Licence, and pass regular periodical competency checks with a CAA appointed examiner.

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HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

We are a members club, not a commercial organisation, and as such our flying rates are usually the lowest in the country. Flying is not expensive and the cost of obtaining your licence can be spread over as short or long a period as your personal finances dictate. We have a separate price list for full details.

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HOW DO I START?

You can join us as a flying member straight away, and book your first full flying lesson. Membership is available on an annual basis, and includes your spouse and children up to the age of 16 as social members.

Alternatively you may decide to have a trial flight first. This flight can be from 30 minutes to an hour in duration, and carries no obligation to continue with the complete course although, if you do, the time spent in the air will count towards the 45 hours required for your PPL, or towards the 32 hours required for your NPPL should you decide to pursue this route. There is no membership fee for the trial flight, and you only pay for the length of your flight. Sherburn Aero Club has several types of trial flight available.

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WHAT DOES THE PPL COURSE CONSIST OF?

Your PPL course follows a recognised syllabus of a gradual integration of flying training exercises and ground studies covering the minimum requirements of 45 hours flying and ground tuition. As there is no limit to completing the course students take from 3 weeks to 3 years to gain their PPL.

The NPPL course (introduced in the UK in 2002), qualifies the pilot to fly in UK airspace only, and. similarly to the PPL course, follows an approved syllabus of flying training exercises and ground studies with minimum requirements of 32 hours flying and ground tuition. The ground syllabus is identical to that of the PPL course.

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WHAT IS COVERED IN THE FLYING SYLLABUS?

All students are taught in accordance with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots association Syllabus. Air exercises covered are as follows:-

  • Effects of controls
  • Taxying
  • Straight and Level
  • Climbing
  • Descending
  • Turning
  • Slow Flight
  • Stalling
  • Spinning (optional)
  • Take-off and climb
  • The Circuit, Approach and Landing
  • First Solo and consolidation
  • Advanced turning
  • Operation at minimum level
  • Forced landings with and without power
  • Pilot Navigation
  • Introduction to instrument flying
  • Radio Navigation

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WHAT EXAMINATIONS ARE INVOLVED?

  • Aviation Law
  • Meteorology
  • Navigation
  • Aeroplane (technical) Part 1
  • Radio Telephony
  • Human Performance and Limitations
  • Aeroplane (technical) Part 2 (oral)

Instruction is available with any one of our qualified instructors, although to cover the course syllabus some self study is required. The books and navigation equipment needed to meet the course requirements are available from our pilots shop. We regularly hold evening 'Groundschool' courses.

You will need to complete a minimum of 45 hours flying for the PPL, and 32 hours flying for the NPPL. This is a legal requirement. Of these hours a minimum of 10 must be solo, that is, flown on your own. Your "first solo" usually comes between 10 and 20 hours of training, when your instructor believes you are ready. No one ever forgets their first totally unaided flight.

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WHAT ABOUT AFTER I'M QUALIFIED?

Once you have obtained your PPL you can carry passengers virtually anywhere in the world as pilot. You can hire the same aeroplane that you have already been flying or you will have the added attraction of converting on to several other types of aircraft - the PA28 161 Warrior, the PA28 181 Archer, the Cessna 140, the CAP 10B (both 'tail draggers') or the Robin 2160 (which can include basic aerobatic instruction).

A Private Pilot's Licence can be just the beginning for many pilots. You may want to be able to fly at night, or in poor weather on instruments, or you may even want to progress all the way to Airline Transport Pilot's Licence.

Whatever you decide to do with your licence, you can be assured that flying is one of the most challenging and rewarding activities open to people from all walks of life.

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WHAT ADVANCED TUITION IS AVAILABLE?

AOPA Radio Navigation Course

Involves 5 hours flying using radio navigation beacons, concluding with a test flight plus a written paper.

Night Rating

Sherburn Aero Club can provide the 5 hours night training required to obtain your night rating.

IMC Rating

Instrument Meteorological Conditions. 15 hours flying, together with 20 hours ground school and a written exam.

Twin Rating

A multi-engine course consists of 6 hours flying plus a flight test.

Advanced Flight Training is based at Sherburn Aero Club.

Advanced Flight Training offers:-

Instructor courses and associated ratings.
Commercial Pilots Licence ( CPL) Courses.
Multi Engine courses.
Kevin Rowell is Head of Training & C.F.I. for AFT
www.advancedflighttraining.co.uk

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© Sherburn Aero Club 2007