30 Minute Trial Lesson in a Piper PA28 (4 Seater)

The Group experience

This is an incredible flying experience and is designed as an informal introduction to flight, piloting light-aircraft and to share the moment with others. The possibility of having one or two people sitting on the rear seats depends on the centre of gravity and maximum take-off weight of the aircraft - please do check this with Flight Operations using actual weights of each passenger and pilot.

On your arrival at the Star Flight Training Clubhouse at Shoreham you will be offered tea, coffee, hot chocolate or other beverage whilst checking-in with Flight Operations in the reception area.

Your professional Flight Instructor will meet you there and during a short pre-flight briefing or chat, you will learn about and experience various aspects of the flight that the Instructor is considering such as; mass & balance, fuel, oil, winds & weather.

The direction of flight can depend on many things and you will be able to express your preferences when the Instructor is formulating the navigation plan.

Then you will be introduced to the aircraft and airfield, learn how and why an aircraft is able to fly and start to familiarise with the way the airport works in general. The format allows for you to ask questions and so the conversation can go in various directions depending on your interests.

Moving into the aircraft you will witness the plethora of external and then internal pre-flight checks.

What will happen during and following the flight?

You will sit in the Captain's seat on the front, left side and the Instructor will sit on the right, which is the normal situation in side-by-side training aircraft. The Instructor will explain what is happening as the engine is started and the flight progresses. After taxiing and take-off the Instructor will stabilise the aircraft into the cruise and will demonstrate to you how the flight controls work, teaching you the basics of flying, ready for you to take control.

Each flight is unique and tailor-made for you in terms of the proportion of time you would like to spend acclimatising to being aloft in the aircraft before taking the controls. If you don’t fancy using the controls yourself or are worried about the flight, that’s fine and the Instructor can demonstrate various aspects of the aircraft to you or just let you familiarise with the feeling and joy of flying.There is no fixed-format for the flight and it is possible to take your own photographs or selfies as you may wish, before, during and after the flight.

After some time manoeuvring the aircraft yourself and returning to Shoreham, you will have a post-flight discussion or de-brief about the flight, to answer any questions you have.

Finally you will be awarded a Certificate to commemorate the flight and offered more drinks at the Clubhouse to conclude the Trial Lesson Flight Experience.

There are plenty of opportunities around Shoreham - Brighton City Airport to view the aircraft movements including indoor and outdoor cafes, where you are welcome to partake in some air-spotting, before and after your flight.

Our clubhouse is a social space for students, instructors and pilots to mingle. Make sure to have a chat whilst you visit - you may find someone at the same stage as you, or someone who has a wealth of experience to share! Many of our instructors are airline pilots, and are happy to share personal insights into the career and airlines.