Trial Lesson

Introductory Lesson

The sheer pleasure and excitement of being in the air and able to view the countryside from a new and incomparable perspective is one of the most enchanting adventures possible.

The lesson begins with a briefing from your own personal instructor covering the operation of the aircraft and describing the area over which you will fly. Your instructor will also explain the controls and instruments so that you gain as much as possible from your first flight. Flying a light aircraft is very different from driving a car, but you will soon feel at home in the cockpit. If there is a specific area that you would like to fly over we will identify this on a map for you and time permitting will fly over that area. You are of course welcome to bring your own camera and many of our student pilots have taken stunning photographs.

Your instructor will accompany you to the aircraft and ensure that you are safely seated and secure in the left hand ( Captains ) seat of the aircraft. We normally use a two-seater aircraft for trial lessons, which is excellent to fly with great views from a bubble-type canopy, and a control 'stick'; or a four-seater aeroplane, where you may bring along a friend.
The right hand seat will be occupied by your flying instructor who will take you through the departure procedures before assisting you to taxi the aircraft to the runway prior to take off.

Trial Lesson Prices

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2 seater / 4 seater

30 mins Ł79 / Ł89
1 hour Ł139 / Ł159
Landaway Ł149 / Ł179

Flight times are chock-to-chock,

including approximately 10 minutes for taxiing.

Soon you will be in the air, soaring above the magnificent scenery of the Dorset Coastline . For many people this is enough for their first trip, just experiencing the excitement of seeing, literally, a birds eye view of the area. For most, however, the real excitement is when the instructor hands over control and begins to teach the basics of handling a light aircraft. Under your instructors watchful eye and guiding hands, you are now in control and can really experience first hand the adventure of flying.

All too quickly it is time to return to the airport and you will be able to follow through on the controls as your instructor makes an approach to the runway and lands the aircraft, finishing your first lesson in a light aircraft.

After completing your flight, your instructor will be pleased discussing all aspects of flying. For many, the trial lesson is just the beginning, and having been "bitten by the bug" they will want to carry on with further lessons. If not, you will have had an experience you will never forget.

The trial lesson is really the first step towards the Private Pilots licence and you may wish to purchase a logbook to record your first flight, since it will count towards your licence should you wish to continue. Many people from all walks of life and of all ages become pilots, and our staff will be only too pleased to give you any further information you require.

A trial lesson makes the ideal present, and gift vouchers are available. Prices start from as little as Ł79 and includes a Certificate of Achievement. There is no real minimum height requirement; or minimum (or maximum!) age - we regularly fly trial lesson students in their very early teens, or younger.

We at the Dorset Flying Club look forward to flying with you. To make a booking call us on 0800 083 73 20 or email Ian at Ian@dorsetflyingclub.co.uk

Please be advised that this is not just a summertime activity; we fly literally all year round. In fact, during the summer months is not necessarily the best time of the year to fly in light aircraft, especially for the first time. Due to the intensity by which the ground is heated by the sun, strong thermal upcurrents can often be present producing convective turbulence, or bumpiness. Fortunately, being near the sea we can, usually, quickly get away from this, once at the coast. Overcast days are obviously not such a problem.

It can also be not so nice, and uncomfortable, when it is quite hot, with haze often giving poor visibility - better to go down the beach on days like this! At other times of the year this convection is usually far less marked and apart from when it is noticeably very windy and gusty, generally have more days with smoother conditions. Often the cloud layer may be thin so that we can fly above the clouds for a short while, which is a quite magical experience. If you fly later in the afternoon, landing at dusk with all the street, building and runway lights coming on is wonderful, as well. There really are lots of interesting and variable conditions to fly in during all the other seasons.

So, if you already have a trial lesson bought for you, although valid for 6 months, we suggest you make use of it earlier rather than later. Availability is also usually much better during winter, spring and autumn. Finally, if you are a little apprehensive about taking up your gift of the experience of flying, please be assured, once you take the controls, any fear of flying will be beaten!