Learn to fly
From first lesson to licence — the honest version.
No brochure-speak. What it costs, how long it takes, and where to do it — from people who did it the same way you’re about to.
01
Book a trial lesson
One hour, one instructor, one aeroplane. You'll handle the controls on the very first flight. £99–£180 almost everywhere in the UK — if it's your first time in a light aircraft, start here.
02
Choose a school you trust
Every school page says where it stands — listed from public records, claimed by the operator, or verified by us with the fleet cross-checked against the G-register. Visit two or three — the right instructor matters more than the right airfield.
03
Train for your PPL
The Private Pilot Licence takes 45 hours minimum — most people need 55–65. Budget £10,000–£14,000 spread over 12–18 months. Nine theory exams, one skills test, one radio licence.
04
Keep flying
Hour-building, night ratings, aerobatics, formation, tailwheel, IMC — the licence is the start of the syllabus, not the end. Your club becomes your flying home.
The schools on the register
35 flight schools, listed from CAA records and grouped by the airfield they fly from.
East Midlands · 3
East of England · 5
- Academy Aviation LimitedFlies from North Weald Airfield · Epping, Essex
- Cambridge Aero Club LimitedFlies from Cambridge City Airport · Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
- North Weald Flight Training LimitedFlies from North Weald Airfield · Epping, Essex
- North Weald Flying Group LimitedFlies from North Weald Airfield · Epping, Essex
- Southend Flying ClubFlies from London Southend Airport · Southend-on-Sea, Essex
London · 2
Scotland · 2
South East · 16
- Aero Legends LimitedFlies from Headcorn Aerodrome · Ashford, Kent
- BG AviationFlies from Rochester Airport · Rochester, Kent
- Blackbushe AviationFlies from Blackbushe Airport · Camberley, Surrey
- Caledonian Advanced Pilot Training LimitedFlies from White Waltham Airfield · Maidenhead, Berkshire
- CK Aviation Services LimitedFlies from London Oxford Airport · Kidlington, Oxfordshire
- E.B.G. (Helicopters) LimitedFlies from Redhill Aerodrome · Redhill, Surrey
- Elite Helicopters and Aviation ServicesFlies from Goodwood Aerodrome · Chichester, West Sussex
- Flight Performance Training LtdFlies from Brighton City Airport · Brighton, East Sussex
- Goodwood Flying SchoolFlies from Goodwood Aerodrome · Chichester, West Sussex
- GRB Aviation LimitedFlies from Fairoaks Airport · Woking, Surrey
- Invicta Aero Club LimitedFlies from Rochester Airport · Rochester, Kent
- Leading Edge Aviation LimitedFlies from London Oxford Airport · Kidlington, Oxfordshire
- London Transport Flying Training LimitedFlies from Blackbushe Airport · Camberley, Surrey
- Redhill Aviation Flight CentreFlies from Redhill Aerodrome · Redhill, Surrey
- Ultimate High AcademyFlies from Goodwood Aerodrome · Chichester, West Sussex
- West London Aero ClubFlies from White Waltham Airfield · Maidenhead, Berkshire
South West · 6
- A H Helicopter Services LimitedFlies from Dunkeswell Airfield · Honiton, Devon
- Aviation South West LimitedFlies from Exeter International Airport · Exeter, Devon
- Freedom Aviation LimitedFlies from Cotswold Airport · Cirencester, Gloucestershire
- GoFly LtdFlies from Old Sarum Airfield · Salisbury, Wiltshire
- Skyblue Aero Services LimitedFlies from Exeter International Airport · Exeter, Devon
- Starspeed Training LimitedFlies from Cotswold Airport · Cirencester, Gloucestershire
This register is built from CAA records and is not a complete list of UK flight schools. If a school near you is missing, it isn’t a judgement on it.
See all schools in the directory →The questions everyone asks
- How much does a PPL really cost?
- Honest answer: £10,000–£14,000 all-in at most UK clubs, including exams, landing fees and the skills test. Anyone quoting much less is counting minimum hours at the cheapest rate — plan for reality.
- How long does it take?
- Flying weekly: about a year. Flying monthly: two to three. British weather is the real syllabus — consistency beats intensity.
- Do I need a medical?
- Yes, but it's friendlier than people fear. A LAPL medical from your GP covers the Light Aircraft Pilot Licence; the full PPL needs a Class 2 from an aeromedical examiner. Most healthy adults pass.
- Trial lesson or taster flight — what's the difference?
- Nothing, just naming. What matters: a trial lesson counts towards your licence only if it's flown as instructional time with an instructor. Ask the school to confirm when you book — it's a routine question and they'll expect it.
Ready to sit in the left seat?
35 flight schools are listed above from CAA records. Find one near you, then visit two or three — the right instructor matters more than the right airfield.
Find a flight school