flying experiences

Our flying schools offer “Trial Lessons”. These give you or your loved one the opportunity to take a flight in a light aircraft with a qualified instructor, and take the controls during the flight. There are opportunities for photos, and on some packages, friends and family can travel in the aircraft to. You can book these experiences online, using the links below.

Blackbushe does not operate any flying experiences or sell vouchers. If you have a voucher through a third party such as Virgin Experiences, you should follow the information on your booking confirmation to contact the correct operator.

T: 01252 870 999

T: 01252 877 727

T: 01483 363 078

T: 01959 576 767

COST SHARING FLIGHTS

Blackbushe Airport is aware that some users of the airport make use of the Wingly platform to market their flights and to share costs.  This can be a great tool for pilots and passengers alike, to spread the cost of travel and to introduce new people to the private flying experience.  The CAA have declared these flights to be legal, as long as the pilot only shares direct operating costs, and is not operating for a profit.

However, it should be clear that some flights can be marketed in a similar fashion to those offered by sight-seeing companies or flying schools, and yet the actual service offered can be very different.  For those unfamiliar with aviation, such adverts can give the impression that the pilot is operating a regulated pleasure flight operation.

We strongly recommend you do not book cost-sharing flights, and use a properly regulated organisation for your flying experience.

Any passenger considering taking a cost-sharing flight should consider the following:

  • Pilots from AOC or ATO / DTO operators will usually have a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL). Pilots on cost-sharing platforms will typically have a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and will not have had the same training as CPL or ATPL pilots.

  • The experience of the pilot on the type of aircraft concerned can sometimes be very low.

  • The pilot may not be experienced in flying the route, or to the airports they are offering.

  • Light aircraft are more easily affected by adverse weather conditions, and a financial agreement may put commercial pressure on the pilot to operate the aircraft in poor weather conditions

  • The pilot may not be insured for the flight, and so if anything goes wrong, there may be no financial compensation

  • The pilot must only be sharing the direct operating cost of the aircraft, and must not be making any other financial gain from the flight.

  • Aircraft are all required to be airworthy, but maintenance programs between individuals and AOC holders can vary, due to regulation.

  • If you are in any doubt, or have any concerns around your pilot, aircraft or the cost-sharing process we would advise you to use a regulated pleasure flight operator. Blackbushe airport does not endorse any Wingly or other Cost-Sharing platform flights, and anybody participating does so at their own risk.