One of the region’s long-established flying clubs is on a new flight path.
Sherburn Aero Club wants to become more of a visitor attraction – a great day out and come where you can enjoy the hospitality of the clubhouse, watch the aircraft, and maybe even take a flight.
The Sherburn-in-Elmet club is open to everyone.
Now the team say they want inspire the next generation of private pilots and the airfield offers flights, lessons and much more.
Club chairman Simon Cook and director of communications, Dave Watson, have been talking to YorkMix Radio‘s David Dunning for a special programme which will be broadcast as part of the Late Show at midnight tonight (30 June) and also available on listen again too later on.
Simon Cook says he wants to make it a ‘destination’ for days out. “The place is buzzing now with fresh faces and out of that comes new business and new pilots”
He thinks it’s wonderful that the airfield has opened up to the public, especially as many have seen it as a closed off area for the wealthy in the past.
“They can see the aircraft, we have pilots who can show them the planes and you can buy a flight to see what it’s like too. It’s not an elitist sport, it’s open to everyone and you can spread the cost of learning to fly over a few years too.
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“Being in charge of your own aircraft is just so exciting and you get to go places fast. Shetland, Scilly, Jersey, France are all a daytrip away”
The club offers taster flights so you can experience the thrill of going up above the clouds. A 30 minute flight starts at £81.75. For the more adventurous you could try an aerobatics flight at £155.25 for 45 minutes.
You can hire an aircraft from just over £109 to £149 an hour and an instructors fee is up to £36 pounds an hour,
More information here.
Watch or fly
Dave Watson says “It’s not just fixed-wing aircraft here, there are helicopters too and we have a beautiful cafe and lovely outside space to sit and relax in.
“For those who want to get up in the air we have instructors who can help you gain a private pilot’s licence and we even have a flight school on site for commercial pilot training.”
Paul Moss is the resident flight Instructor on site. He says they are doing a lot of training at the moment. Some people are looking to have a career in aviation others want the freedom of the air that a PPL (Private Pilot’s Licence) brings.
With a medical, and once you have passed an exam, within 10 hours you can do your first solo flight.
And in the next video we meet Ian Mills.
He’s a commercial pilot too. He says he has a feeling of complete freedom flying a small plane. You are in the clouds on your own with incredible views.
Sherburn Aero Club – Flying since 1964
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 1970’s which was followed by a number of major investments including a large fleet of new aircraft and an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars and an extended clubhouse.
Flying Club & Flight Training School
Being a flying club and a flight training school they are well-positioned to cater to their members, their friends and families before, during and after they become a qualified pilot. Their aim is to give all members a fun social environment whilst providing the opportunity to continue to build on their experience and expand their horizons.
Lots to Offer
Whether you are taking to the skies for an experience flight; starting your flying career; have your own aircraft and are looking for hangarage, servicing or repairs; buying a new aircraft, looking for aviation equipment or gifts or just looking to enjoy some refreshments from our restaurant and bar and watch the aircraft, Sherburn has it all to offer.
Watch their promotional video below and see the site from the air too.
The Maltings @ Digby’s is Sherburn Aero Club’s restaurant and bar situated inside the main clubhouse with panoramic views of the airfield.
It’s run by Stuart Kelly and is part of the established Maltings Tearoom business in South Milford.
He says they thought it was an interesting place to open a branch. It’s a very different location but they have been impressed by how well it has worked.
He told YorkMix Radio more in this video.