Are you tired of the same old routine? Looking for a new and exciting way to spend your free time? If you love the thrill of flying but don’t know where to start. We’ve put together this list of the seven best lessons to experience flying in London that will have your heart racing and your stomach fluttering with excitement. It’s a daring experience and one you should definitely try at least once in your life. These seven clubs will teach you everything from basic flying to aerobatics. So put on your pilot’s hat and get ready for takeoff!
1. Flight Training London
Have you ever dreamed of being a pilot? Taking to the skies and soaring over the clouds? Well, at Flight Training London, that dream can really become a reality. Learning to fly is serious business, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Together with their members, instructors, and students, they create a fun atmosphere for you to enjoy every second of being in the air.
Flight Training London is located at London Elstree Aerodrome – providing an exciting base when film shoots or celebrity events are held nearby — and it’s just a stone’s throw away from Warner Bros Studios which is home to the Harry Potter experience. They’ve got 24-hour daytime lighting available, and are easily accessible by road (M25), railway, or tube from any part of Central and North London.
You’ll find Flight Training London at Elstree Aerodrome, Hogg Lane, Elstree, WD6 3AW. Nearest station is Elstree & Borehamwood.
2. EFG Flying School
Where do you go when you’re looking for a place to learn how to fly? Try one of the oldest schools around. With more than 40 years in the industry, EFG Flying School has been a leader in pilot training and aircraft maintenance. Not only do they provide world-class classes with an excellent safety track record, but they also offer incredibly-friendly customer service.
Learning to fly is more than just learning how the plane moves through space; it’s about gaining independence and freedom. That’s why EFG Flying School ensures you experience everything from taking off to landing on one of your first few hours in an aircraft.
Falcon is the place to be if you’re looking for fun and learning opportunities. Whether you choose this course to take your skills up a notch or give you some time off from working too hard, let them guide you! They have courses ranging from beginner to medium-level flight training, up through to expert levels and beyond. In addition, they have an impressive collection of fleets, including Piper Archer, Piper Warrior, and even the Tecnam P2006T.
You’ll find EFG Flying School at London Biggin Hill Airport, Kent, TN16 3BN. There are no stations nearby, so you’re best driving here.
3. 30-Minute Flying Lesson by Virgin Experience
Take to the skies with various small aircraft and learn how to take control in this fun-filled training course. Soar above the English countryside with a 30-minute lesson by Virgin Experience, taught by an expert pilot. You will be allowed to learn how to fly with a one-on-one training session from an expert air traffic controller.
You’ll get private lessons from a CAA-licensed instructor on board a two-seater aircraft, learn about airborne safety precautions, and the experience is available at different venues in London depending on the flight experience you choose.
You’ll find the locations of the 30-Minute Flying Lesson by Virgin Experience on their website. You can find out more here.
4. West London Aero Club
Are you looking for a new hobby? One that will take you to new heights? Literally. Then you should check out the West London Aero Club flying classes. White Waltham Airfield is a historic and iconic airport operating since 1930. Home to the West London Aero Club, this 200-acre estate offers impressive views of the rolling Berkshire hills and it has fantastic fixed-wing aircraft access too.
When you sign up for a lesson with them, they’ll give your introductory flying skills session the attention it deserves. Then, you’ll take control of one of their Piper Warrior planes and fly solo before graduating to larger aircraft such as Pitts Special or Piper Super Cub. Upon completing this course, you will get a certificate detailing all that you have achieved.
They offer top-quality and competitively priced aviation instruction on the whole range of courses, including the PPL (Private Pilot’s Licence) course and IR(R) training course. Then, within the clubhouse, they provide students and qualified pilots with NOTAMs, weather reports and CAA safety board leaflets too.
You’ll find West London Aero Club at White Waltham Airfield, Maidenhead, SL6 3NJ. Nearest station is Maidenhead.
5. Alouette Flying Club
The sky’s the limit with a flight training course from the Alouette Flying Club. Alouette is a friendly, community-focused flying club. Their rates are still among some of Biggin Hill’s cheapest, so whether you’re looking into getting your licence or want an affordable activity with friends, Alouette is sure to fit the bill nicely.
Flying is not an easy task. You must first pass various milestones to help you learn how to fly and land the aircraft after only a few lessons with your instructor. Still, it doesn’t take long before most students can fly solo. That’s why Alouette offers special certificates for achieving your first solo flight.
The best part is that you can join them for a trial flight with an experienced instructor to get a taste of what it’s like to be in control. You’ll get plenty of chances for hands-on experience with an instructor by your side throughout the hour-long journey. In addition, you’ll experience the thrill of flying from their clubhouse at Biggin Hill.
You’ll find Alouette Flying Club at Building C700, Churchill Way, Biggin Hill, Biggin Hill Airport, TN16 3BN. There are no stations nearby, so you’re best driving here.
6. Fly Elstree Ltd
Fly Elstree is one of the go-to places for anyone who wants to take to flying in London. It has been providing top-quality flight training services to residents of London since 2009. They are located at one of the most convenient airfields for those looking into gaining their Private Pilot’s License (PPL), Instrument Rating (IR) or Night Flying Experience — all while being just an hour outside the city limit. Giving someone their first taste of flight is essential in teaching them how to fly. Their Introductory flights give you the opportunity for a safe and encouraging introduction to this fun hobby.
Each class is led by experienced instructors who will teach you everything you need to know about flying. You’ll start by learning the basics of aviation, and then move on to more advanced concepts. Before you know it, you’ll be soaring through the skies like a pro. If that’s not enough, they also provide trial flying lessons in their aircraft or at their ground school before flying permanently with them.
The two nearest tube stations to Fly Elstree are Edgware and Stanmore. However, Elstree & Borehamwood is your best bet if you want to take the overground. Taxi services are available from all three.
You’ll find Fly Elstree Ltd at Elstree Aerodrome (ETR), Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 3AR.
7. Stapleford Flight Centre
Stapleford Flight Centre has trained private and commercial airline pilots for over forty-five years. Many of their students enjoy a lifetime in the sky, while others become instructors at this world-renowned facility. At the same time, others are now working for major airlines such as British Airways (BA) and Thomas Cook Airlines Ltd.
The students at SFC are trained to fly in some of the world’s busiest airspaces, thanks mainly to their location on an airfield just north of London. Stapleford Flight Centre offers a variety of aircraft for students to train on from their single-engine Tecnam P2008 JC, and Cessna 152’s up to retractable undercarriage Piper Arrows and state-of-the-art multi-engine Diamond Twin Stars.
They offer flying classes for all levels of experience, from curious beginners to experienced pilots. So, whether you’re looking to get started on your aviation journey or take your skills to new heights, the Stapleford Flight Centre is well worth checking out.
You’ll find Stapleford Flight Centre at Stapleford Aerodrome, Stapleford Tawney, Essex, RM4 1SJ. Nearest station is Theydon Bois.
There’s no better way to see the world than from the cockpit of a plane. Your aviation adventure awaits when you sign up for these classes to see yourself flying in London.