What Is a Trial Flight at Staverton Flying School?

Updated

A trial flight at Staverton Flying School is an introductory flight experience in a light aircraft, designed to give you a taste of what learning to fly is like. It suits anyone curious about flying, anyone considering pilot training, or anyone looking for an unusual gift — and the school also offers the option of a vintage biplane or added aerobatics if you want something more adventurous.

What the trial flight involves

According to the school, the trial flight is "the perfect introduction to flying in a light aircraft." You get a taste of flying and see the Gloucestershire countryside "from a whole new perspective."

The school frames it as a taster of what it's like to learn to fly, so the experience is aimed at people with no prior flying background rather than qualified pilots.

Who it's for

The school describes the trial flight as suitable if:

  • You want to find out what learning to fly is like before committing to training
  • You know someone who would like that experience — it works as a gift
  • You want a one-off flying experience rather than a course

If you already hold qualifications and want to extend them, or you're returning to flying after a break, the school points to its pilot training and ratings instead.

Options beyond the standard trial flight

The school lists two upgrades to the basic trial flight:

Option What it adds
Vintage Biplane Fly in a vintage biplane instead of the standard light aircraft
Aerobatics Add "exhilarating aerobatics" to the flight

Both are described as options for the "really adventurous."

Where it takes place

Staverton Flying School operates from Gloucestershire Airport and has been training pilots there since 1965. The school is based in a building on the airfield with a hangar next door.

Address: Staverton Flying School @ Skypark Ltd, Hangar SE50, Gloucestershire Airport, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 6SR. Phone: 01452 712388.

What to do next

The school's site has a dedicated Trial Flights page, and a Gifts page if you're buying the experience for someone else. The published contact number is 01452 712388, and there is a contact form on the site.

The school's website does not publish trial flight prices, so you'll need to ask directly about cost and availability.