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Frequently Asked Questions
If you have concerns or questions about pleasure flights or trial lessons in the UK, our FAQ is here to answer them.
 Question still not answered?
Contact us, and we'll do our best to answer it for you.
Why do aircraft fly?
Aircraft, helicopters and other winged craft rely on their wings or rotors to
generate lift. For a good explanation of how this works, see
Theory of Flight.
Hot air balloons are able to generate lift due to the
lower density
of hot air compared to the ambient air density.
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Will I actually be able to fly the aircraft?
If you are planning to purchase a trial lesson, then you will most definitely get the chance to fly the aircraft.
The pilot you will be flying with is an instructor, and so you would even be able to log the time flown as training.
The instructor will do the landing, and probably the take off, but for much of the flight you
will have full control.
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Can I book an event for a specific date?
After you have purchased your flying voucher or Cockpit coupon, you can arrange to fly at any time
whilst it remains valid by contacting the flight operator. The ability to make a booking on a specific date
depends on a number of factors including aircraft and instructor availability as well as - importantly - the weather
on the day.
In order to have the best chance of flying on your preferred date, Flights4all recommends
that you book early, and confirm the flight with the flight operator shortly before setting out.
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As a spectator, can I watch?
Certainly! Airfields have viewing areas where spectators can watch, take photos and make movies. You will have a
reasonable view of the airstrip and can enjoy seeing the pilot take-off and land. Most of the flying is likely to
take place up high and away from built up areas, but you should at least be able to see and
photograph the departure and landing. For a better view, you might ask the flight operator (when you book) if
you could view from the Control Tower.
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What facilities can I expect at the airfield?
Facilities available at airfields will depend strongly on the size of the airfield, and the number of aircraft
and flying schools located there. The typical airfield will provide at least toilets, a viewing area and refreshments.
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How can I get a pilot's licence?
For information about how to go about gaining a fixed wing or helicopter private pilot's licence,
see our PPL factsheet.
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Can I arrange a flight in a Spitfire?
There are only three flying 2-seater Spitfires in the UK at present.
In addition, to be able to offer trial lessons, any aircraft must have a public category licence, and the instructor
too must be licensed to take paying passengers. So, unfortunately, the chances of arranging a
flight in a Spitfire are pretty slim. However it is possible to arrange solo displays for individuals; for more
information see the Grace Spitfire website and the
PT462 website.
There are however alternatives that we can offer which will give anyone a fantastic experience.
If the interest is in historical aircraft them you could arrange a
flight in a Tiger Moth. Our Tiger Moth flights will give you the
chance to pull 'G' and get flies in your teeth! Dancing around the sky in a machine from the 1920's,
held together with wires and fabric, will certainly stay with you long after you've landed.
If you are seeking the sense of speed, agility and the G-forces that an aircraft can
offer, then we have an
unbeatable choice of aerobatic flights led by ex-RAF flighter pilots and UK aerobatic champions.
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How can I get to fly in a jet?
We've looked into the possibility of offering jet flights in this country, and for the moment
we've had to accept that it isn't going to happen. All privately owned jets in this country
are ex-military and therefore have an awkward certification status - the military don't have
to leap through the same hoops as civilian manufacturers, and the CAA is very strict about
letting innocent people up in the air as passengers in aircraft that
haven't had extensive test programmes. (Of course, military aircraft have
fantastically intensive test programmes of their own - but against rather
different criteria).
There are some jet provosts, and some ex-Eastern bloc jet fighters on the
public register in the UK, and some schemes to get unqualified people
airborne in them. These are normally in the form of clubs or 'appreciation
societies', whereby the member pays an annual membership fee, and
then gets one free flight in the club's aircraft per year as a token of
appreciation.
As a viable option for a fantastic thrill, why not consider a flight in one of our
range of aerobatics aircraft? The military Bulldog aircraft, which
also existed as a civilian aircraft and so is permitted for passengers can pull +4 G to -1 G.
Compare this with the experience you can get on a fairground ride, which might pull up to 2.5G, or
the typical light aircraft, which can safely pull 0 - 2 G.
Another option - for the really brave - would be the Extra 300. Even some genuine Spitfire pilots
reckon that the Extra is actually 'a bit better than a spit', which is famous for simply going where
the pilot thinks. Rated at -10 G to +10 G, you certainly will never forget a trip in the Extra 300!
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Flying adventures across the UK with YOU in the cockpit!!
