Whether you’d like to escape the congestion of London, fancy an exciting new challenge, or just want to go sightseeing around Britain, the Ariel Flying Group could be for you! With us, you can train for your private pilot’s licence, with fully qualified instructors in modern training aircraft, and then take your friends across the Channel for lunch in Le Touquet!
Learn to fly with us!
Flying is not difficult; all kinds of people of all ages have gained their private pilot’s licences. The training course consists of 45 hours of flying. You start by learning the basics of how to control the aircraft, moving on to take-offs and landings. Then you take your first solo flight!
The Ariel Flying Group has access to modern aircraft (all with dual controls) and you will be taught by experienced, qualified instructors.
The Ariel Flying Group offers discounted flying and flight training to BBC Club members. Our primary aim is to support those wishing to learn to fly, but we also offer reduced rates for those already qualified.
Free half-hour trial flights are available to our new members and provide perhaps the best introduction to learning to fly.
Private pilot training
You need a minimum of 45 hours of training to get your licence. Intensive training over four or five weeks is possible, but most people prefer to do the course over a year or two and usually take around 55 hours to reach the required standard.
How much?
There’s no denying flying is expensive. Commercial flying school rates are around £150–£170 per hour. However, the Ariel Flying Group offers discount vouchers which give you £50 per hour off training (or £25 off non-training flights). If you are interested in learning to fly, you would get up to 24 vouchers per year. Combined with the special rates we have negotiated at some of our locations, the actual cost becomes more like £110–£120 per hour.
There are a small number of bursaries available for BBC Club members on the lower salary grades.
We are currently offering free trial lessons to new members joining the Ariel Flying Group. To take advantage of this, you would only need to pay £55. You can then decide whether it’s right for you and whether you want to continue.
The Ariel Flying Group is affiliated with four flying schools in the London area: Cubair,located at Redhill Aerodrome in Surrey; the West London Aero Club, at White Waltham airfield near Maidenhead; Anglian Flight Centres, at Earls Colne in Essex; and the North London Flying School, at Panshanger in Hertfordshire.
Each location has a different range of aircraft and slightly different
costs but the best approach is usually to pick the most convenient
location.
