Frequently Asked Questions
Trial Lessons
- How long is the actual flight length?- Where do you normally fly during your session?
- How long are vouchers valid for and are they refundable?
- What happens if my voucher runs out of validity?
- Does my gift voucher include insurance?
- Is there anything else I need to be aware of before I
purchase a trial lesson/gift voucher?
- Is there anything I need to bring with me on the day
of my flight?
- What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my flight?
- Can I bring family and friends to watch my flight depart
and return?
- Can I upgrade my flight on the day to a larger aircraft
or longer flight time?
- I have received a voucher from an experience agency;
can I book it with you directly?
- What is the minimum age for a trial lesson?
- What is the difference between a Trial Lesson &
Pleasure Flight?
- What are the medical restrictions on a trial lesson?
- Do you donate gift vouchers to charities?
Training
- What is the minimum ages to gain a Private Pilot’s Licence?- Where can I find my local Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)?
- How long does the PPL course take?
- Are there any extra costs associated with the PPL?
- How do I keep my licence current once I have completed
a licence?
- I have a foreign issued licence with a state outside of
the JAA can I still fly on my licence in the UK?
Trial Lessons & Gift Vouchers
Q: How long is the actual flight length?
A: Flights are timed from brakes on to brakes off and we aim to spend as much time of that airborne as we can.
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Q: Where do you normally fly during your session?
A: We normally have a pre-planned route for all our lessons but this can change at short notice due to weather or air traffc. Normally we head towards the coast then, depending on available time, route to Sandbanks, Poole Harbour, Corfe Castle, Swanage, Old Harry Rocks, Hengistbury Head, Hurst Castle and The Needles.
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Q: How long are vouchers valid for and are they refundable?
A: Vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Vouchers are not refundable but are transferable to another name. If you still have no one available to honour your flight then we can suggest a number of worthy charities who would be delighted to except the donation of a flight.
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Q: What happens if my voucher runs out of validity?
A: If flights have been re-scheduled due to poor weather then an extension of up to three months is permitted. If rescheduling occurs due to another reason an additional charge may be applied.
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Q: Does my gift voucher include insurance?
A: Yes we are insured to a risk of £3,000,000. Each aircraft hull is insured for its occupants under third party/passenger/legal liability. A copy of our insurance or public liability is available upon request.
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Q: Is there anything else I need to be aware of before I purchase a trial lesson/gift voucher?
A: Please ensure that you have fully read and agreed to our terms and conditions. By purchasng a voucher you are also accepting the companies terms and conditions. No acceptance will be given for ignorance of or denying the knowledge of the terms and conditions. To view and download our company terms and conditions please click here.
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Q: Is there anything I need to bring with me on the day of my flight?
A: The most important item to bring is your voucher, without this we cannot conduct the flight. You may wish to bring a camera and Sunglasses. Layers of warm clothing are recommended on particularly cold winter days. Otherwise wear what you would if you were driving a car. Please also remember to wear flat shoes, ideally the pair you find most comfortable, skirts are not advisable.
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Q: What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my flight?
A: We ask all trial lessons to give us a call in the morning of their flight to check weather conditions, particularly if you are traveling from a distance. Please do not embark on a long journey without calling ahead first. If the weather conditions prevent us from flying we will reschedule your flight for the next convenient date.
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Q: Can I bring family and friends to watch my flight depart and return?
A: Yes you are more than welcome to bring along friends, family and even dogs (on a lead) to watch you set off on your flight, we have an excellent viewing area with a small onsite café serving coffee and refreshments.
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Q: Can I upgrade my flight on the day to a larger helicopter or longer flight time?
A: Flights may be upgraded on the day depending on the current flying schedule, to ensure you’re upgrade is possible we advise you ring a few days in advance.
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Q: I have received a voucher from an experience agency; can I book it with you direct?
A: Yes, depending on the voucher type. We deal with a number of UK based experience agencies and have a number of flights each day. We do advise you first call your voucher agency before calling us as they may be able to book you in with pre-allocated slots they may have.
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Q: What is the minimum age for a trial lesson?
A: The minimum age for a trial lesson is 12 years of age although this is discretionary by the company, any person below this age must be accompanied by and adult or must have a parent or legal guardian’s signature before commencing a trial lesson.
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Q: What is the difference between a Trial Lesson & Pleasure Flight?
A: A trial lesson is the initial first lesson with a view to perhaps undertaking training towards a licence. A trial lesson gives you a brief outline to how the aircraft flies and the effects of controls. It is unlike a pleasure flight where you are not allowed to touch the controls throughout any part of the flight. In order to conduct a pleasure flight the company must hold a valid AOC - Air Operators Certificate.
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Q: What are the medical restrictions on a trial lesson?
A: Our main rule for conducting a trial lesson is that you must be able to get yourself in and out of the aircraft unassisted. If you have a severe heart condition, are pregnant or have another form of disability then we advise you call us first. If you doctor has certified that you are unwell to fly then we cannot provide you with a trial lesson.
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Q: Do you donate gift vouchers to charities?
A: We do aim to support as many local charities as we can. Requests for such donations increase every year and unfortunately due to the high demand these are limited each. If however you are prepared to pay for a minimum of 50% of the voucher value we may be able to help further. All applications must be made in writing to our Operations Manager to the main office address.
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Training
Q: What is the minimum age to gain a Private Pilots Licence?
A: There is no upper age limit providing you can continue to hold a valid medical, however at the lower end of the scale the minimum age to begin training is 14, solo at 16 and complete the licence at 17. If you are also intending to continue commercially you cannot begin a CPL course until you are over the age of 18.
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Q: Where can I find my local Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)?
A: All locations for medical examiners can be found on the CAA website, under the section “Search for an AME”. However we can give you advice on your nearest AME and if you live locally recommend our school AME – look at our contact page.
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Q: How long does the PPL course take?
A: The PPL course length depends on weather and your commitment, particularly if you have work and family considerations. If you can devote full 5-7 day weeks to flying and ground training then potentially you could complete your licence within 2 - 3 months. Those with other commitments often spread the training over a 12 to 18 month period.
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Q: Are there any extra costs associated with the PPL?
A: Our price lists contains all the necessary items to complete a PPL however you may require additional hours or equipment and it might be wise to budget just a little extra for additional items. Look at our prices.
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Q: How do I keep my licence current once I have completed a licence?
A: After you have completed your licence it will be valid five years, however your class rating for the type of aeroplane you learnt to fly in will be valid for two years, you have two ways of keeping current:
1. Ensure that you have completed 12 hours flying in the final year, undertaking at least 6 hours as pilot in command, and 1 hour with an instructor. If this has been achieved then your rating can be signed off by an examiner with no additional cost.
2. Undertake a flight test with an examiner..
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Q: I have a foreign issued licence with a state outside of the JAA can I still fly on my licence in the UK?
A: The short answer to this question is yes, full reference should be made to the UK ANO Part 4, 26 (4) but providing a licence has been issued under the law of a contracting state other than the UK but which is not a JAA licence, you will be allowed to use the privileges of your licence except for the purpose of the following:
a) Air transport, aerial work or any flight in respect of which receives remuneration
b) Any flight within controlled airspace in circumstances requiring instrument flight rules or to give any instruction in flying.
Before we can allow you to fly one of our aircraft however we will require at least one check flight and will need to check all licences and paperwork.
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