Yes. Should you wish to continue your training, a trial lesson does count towards the grant of a Pilot’s licence provided you are 14 years old or more at the time of the flight.

Our ‘trial flight guide’ book will enhance your experience if read prior to taking your trial lesson. These can be purchased along with trial lesson vouchers.

The ‘Air Pilot’s Manual volume 1’ is the official PPL training manual and makes a great addition to the ‘Learn To Fly’ package. By reading up on the exercises prior to the flying lesson itself the participant will find that they get much more out of their time in the air.

You can purchase a Pilot’s Log Book on the day to officially record your inaugural flight times. This is particulalrly recommended if you are intending to continue your training.

Trial flying lessons are bone-fide training flights and as such you will be required to spend most of your time under instruction and manipulating the controls of the aircraft. We have found from experience that participants have too much to think about without trying to get the perfect snap! This is why we offer the 360º video option which allows you to live your experience in the moment whilst we take care of the memories. Our 360 degree video is a fantastic addition to your experience which will allow you to re-live your flight from any angle! Once you have landed we will transfer your high-definition video to one of our high-speed USB sticks for you to take away on the day. Please let us know if you wish to have your flight recorded prior to departure.

We offer an all-inclusive, ‘Introduction to Flying’ package consisting of the first 3 lessons of your course. This is the ideal way to get a real feel for the service we offer with a limited financial commitment. This a cost-effective way to kick-start your training and extremely popular with those who have already enjoyed a Trial Lesson.

Trial lessons are available 7 days per week including Bank Holidays. They can be taken any time in the 12 months after the issue date.

 Choose the 2 seat aircraft if the participant is under 13 stone and intending to fly without a companion. Choose the 4 seat aircraft if a friend/family member would like to ride along in the rear seat or if the participant is over 13 stone.

The shorter ‘introductory’ trial lesson is ideal for a flight experience around the local landmarks and an opportunity to have a go at controlling an aeroplance in flight. The ‘extended’ trial lesson includes a greater element of teaching and practice, with an extended time ‘hands on’ at the controls.

Your experience will be delivered electronically by email in the form of a voucher which is valid for 12 months.

Redemption instructions and directions to our venue are all included.

Our flight experiences take off and land at Hawarden (Chester) Airport so, depending on the experience you have chosen, they will be within a certain local radius (subject to air traffic and airspace restrictions). We try to accomodate requests to fly over specific places, but this should be discussed with your instructor during the pre-flight briefing. The map below shows the approximate ranges of our introductory (inner circle) and extended (outer circle) flights.

We offer two trial lesson durations, a shorter ‘introductory’ experience or a longer ‘extended’ experience. See the product options for specific details. We strongly recommend the extended version if you are considering learning to fly.

Flight time is officially from brakes off to brakes on. Approximately 15 minutes of your experience will be taxying the aircraft. Flight times are subject to air trafiic movements and do vary but we try to give you as much hands-on experience as possible.

You should expect to be with us for approximately one to two hours, depending on the experience you have chosen.

We offer trial lessons in either a two seat Piper PA-38 Tomahawk or a four seat Piper PA-28 Cherokee.

The two seat aircraft is the cheapest option but is limited by participant weight.

The four seat option allows the participant to take a friend or family member with them as a rear-seat observer.

Specific details can be found in the product details.

The minimum age is 14 years old for the 2 seat aircraft. Younger children can fly with us but must be in the 4 seat aircraft so that they can be accompanied by an adult and they must be tall enough to operate the aircraft controls. Please note that flying lessons only count towards the grant a pilot’s licence for those aged 14 and above.

As a guideline, 13 stone for the 2 seat experience or 36 stone combined weight for particpant and observer for the 4 seat experience. Weights quoted are approximate – please contact us if you are unsure / borderline.

Ideally 4’6″ to 6’4″. Please contact us if the participant is outside of this range

Participants must be agile enough to board and disembark the aircraft, and to be able to manipulate the controls. If you are unsure about whether your health is an issue then please contact the flying school prior to purchasing your voucher

There are first-class visitor facilities at Hawarden, including the Chocks Away diner, viewing park with children’s playground, public ocnveniences and free parking.

We are based at Hawarden (Chester) airport. You will receive directions both with your voucher and by email when booking your experience. Free parking is available at the venue.

Vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of purchase. Voucher extensions are available on request and subject to an additional fee.

Click on the link from the banner on our homepage or visit our booking page.

2 seat experiences can be upgraded to the 4 seat aircraft.
‘Introductory’ experiences can be upgraded to ‘extended’; increasing the airborne time.
Upgrades are subject to an additional fee and aircraft and instructor availability

Please call us on 01244 911787 (select option 4)  before you set off on the day of your flight.
The Flight Instructor has the right to determine whether the weather is suitable for the flight to go ahead. If you are unfortunate enough to be cancelled because of the weather we will reschedule another flight provided it is within the validity of the voucher.

Comfortable clothes and flat shoes. The aircraft have heaters for the cold season but generally the temperature in the air during your lesson is similar to that on the ground.

Trial flying lessons are bone-fide training flights and as such you will be required to spend most of your time under instruction and manipulating the controls of the aircraft. We have found from experience that participants have too much to think about without trying to get the perfect snap! This is why we offer the 360º video option which allows you to live your experience in the moment whilst we take care of the memories.

Available to buy. This is a fantastic addition to your experience which will allow you to re-live your flight from any angle! Please let us know if you wish to have your flight recorded prior to departure.

As we are all aware, the weather in our country can be a fickle thing. Before you set off for the airport, please contact us to check the forecast. We will endeavour to call you at least an hour before your flight if there is likely to be a delay.

On arrival you will be greeted by our friendly staff and will be asked to fill in a short form. You will then be introduced to your Flight Instructor who will discuss the flight plan with you. Where your flight takes you is a decision made between yourself and your instructor – a particular favourite is the spectacular North Welsh coastline but it may even be possible to fly over your own house!

Prior to departure you will be escorted out on to the apron where you will board the aircraft and your instructor will familiarise you with the flight controls and conduct a routine safety briefing. Once completed, it’s your opportunity to participate as much as possible in your flight, whether it be pre-flight checks, taxiing the aircraft to the runway or helping with the Take-Off!

Very quickly you will begin to appreciate the life of a pilot as, shortly after getting airborne, your instructor will turn to you and say “You have control”…

If you’re interested in learning to fly, visit our PPL & LAPL Training page or check out the following useful links:

• CAA: So you want to learn to fly?
• Flyer: Learn to fly an aeroplane