Trial Lessons & Gift Vouchers
Experience the joy of learning to fly or give it as a gift for someone else. Do you love someone enough to let them fly while you stay on the ground?
What can I expect on a Trial Lesson with Star Flight Training?
A trial lesson or air experience flight is a great way to find out how you feel about the wonder of flying in a light-aircraft. You will also have a chance to fully take control of the aircraft yourself supervised by a Flight Instructor. The flight is a combination of learning to fly and taking in the aerial view of the world below and the amazing feeling of being airbourne at a lower altitude compared to cruising in an airliner.
The instructor will teach you some basic aspects of how an aircraft works, how to fly an aircraft and then, after take-off, following a demonstration of what to do, it'll be time to say "You have control". Most people who do a Trial Lesson have never been in such a small aircraft before so it is quite normal for the occasion to be, as the French call it, a "Bapteme de l'air" or "Baptism of the Air" in English.
From Shoreham Airport for it is possible to fly east or west along the coast, also inland and quite possibly over your home. The beautiful beaches and cliffs make a breathtaking backdrop for any training flight experience.
It’s a plane flying experience that is anything but plain.
How does it work?
Our range of flight experiences make a great birthday or Christmas present or just a great gift at any time to let somebody know you love them. We offer gift vouchers for all our flight experiences. We can also offer a video of the flight to capture your experience from the moment you take off to when you touch back down at the end to share with friends and family - beware this may cause jealousy.
Alternatively if the flight is for yourself you can use our online booking portal by clicking purchase on any of the flights below to check availability and book in your first trial lesson today.
Easy Booking
You, or if a gift, the voucher recipient can book in anytime using our online booking portal
It All Counts
The time from your trial lesson will be able to be logged and counted toward future courses and training
Flexible Slots
We're open weekdays and weekends, 7 days a week and able to fly at times from 08:00 to 20:00 most days
Our Trial Lessons
30 Minute Trial Lesson In a Cessna 152 (2 Seater)
60 Minute Trial Lesson In a Cessna 152 (2 Seater)
30 Minute Trial Lesson in a Piper PA28 (4 Seater)
60 Minute Trial Lesson in a Piper PA28 (4 Seater)
Trial Lesson FAQ's
See Below a list of our frequently asked questions on trial lessons. If you have any other questions feel free to Contact Us.
Yes, after a short amount of training by the instructor, you will be able to take hold of the aircraft controls and really fly.
Flying from Shoreham Airport, the general airspace in the area is fairly unrestricted to the south of Gatwick. It may be possible to fly near to where you live or to fly along the coast either to the east or west. There may be weather limitations on the day or short term airspace restrictions which can limit flight operations.
Yes, you can enter the Trial Lesson flight in your log book. It should include "Exercise 3" in the remarks column. This is the first flight exercise of the PPL syllabus.
The instructor will take various measures to make you feel better as soon as possible and offer you a bag. If you think this may be a problem, please do tell the instructor as soon as you feel less than perfect or even before the flight if you are worried.
This may well be possible - do mention it to the instructor before the flight as they will have checked the NOTAMS / Notices to Airmen which would report any temporary airspace restrictions in the area. There may be reasons why it isn't possible on the day even when it might normally be ok. Of course, if you live close to Gatwick Airport or a nuclear power station, that could cause a problem.
Usually between 1200 and 3000 feet altitude. All altitudes in aviation are expressed in feet by international convention. Shoreham Airport is at sea level and an altitude is a height above sea level. There are many factors which dictate the altitude we fly at and they differ in various locations. Above towns and cities, by law, we must fly more than 1500 feet above the highest obstacle - in other areas there may be other limitations. Close to Gatwick and other large airports the altitude of airspace reserved for airliners is lower. It can be possible to fly to 5000 feet altitude to the south of the coast near Shoreham, that is one mile high above the earth.
This will depend on which aircraft you plan to fly. For the 2-seat Cessna 152 the cruise speed is normally 85 to 90 knots (kts). That is around 100 mph. The 4-seat Piper PA28 Warrior and Piper PA28 Archer cruise at 90-100 knots, closer to 110 mph. Knots are convenient to use for aircraft and ships which often navigate in straight lines around the globe because 1 nautical mile (knot) equetws to 1 minute of longitude of planet earth. So 1 degree of longitude equals 60 nautical miles. For both aircraft types the take-off speed is about 55kts and landing speed about 45-50kts.
Generally, no. The aircraft has a heater and fresh air vents. On a sunny day you will probably feel hotter in the aircraft than outside on the ground. On a cloudy day the difference is much less. Sunglasses are not essential - normal informal clothes are best similar to what you might comfortably wear for a short, easy walk or run.
The answer to this can be whatever you want it to be. It's fine if you show up with no preparation at all, even if it is a surprise for you on the day (a secret gift from someone else) or you can read a Flight Manual or use a flight simulator and prepare a lot. Generally the more you learn before the flight, the more you will realise what is happening in the background at the time. There is a lot going on before, during and after the flight and it's up to you what you want to get out of it. It is really designed as an introduction to a huge and fascinating area of activity - the wonder of flying.