New Year Resolution: 7 Reasons to Choose Learning to Fly

If you’ve been thinking of starting to learn to fly, then 2024 could be it! What better New Year’s resolution is there than learning to fly? Imagine soaring the skies across the UK as one of the 0.01% of people in the UK who have the privilege of holding a National Private Pilot’s Licence (NPPL).

Still not convinced? Well, here are 7 reasons you should choose learning to fly as one of your New Year’s resolutions!

1. It’s easy to start.

All you need to do is book yourself a trial flight with a flying school like SportAir. It’s a cost-effective way to get a taste of what it would be like to start flying and the type of flying you’ll be doing. It costs as little as £85 (correct as of the time of writing), you’ll get a chance to try your hand at flying and experience what it’s like to be a pilot. The time even counts towards your licence. So when you come back down to earth, you will have already made some progress towards achieving it!

2. Flying fixed-wing microlights is probably cheaper than you think.

Fixed wing microlights like our Eurofox or Ikarus C42 are more cost-effective, quieter, and have a lower carbon footprint than their larger counterparts, such as the Cessna 152 and Piper Warrior. With this type of aircraft you will have the freedom to do more too, such as flying in and out of smaller airstrips, opening up the possibilities of where you can fly and the types of airborne adventures you can have! Furthermore, the minimum requirement for flying is 12 hours every 24 months.

3. Once you start, you get bragging rights.

Once you officially start learning to fly, you can start claiming those pilot bragging rights! Pop that first entry in your logbook as a ‘student pilot’, that’s it, you’re on the road to becoming one, and you can officially claim to be a ‘pilot’ (albeit under training!). That does, however, mean that a whole new world of merchandise becomes available to you. From t-shirts that say things like “what happens in the hanger stays in the hanger” to stickers and hats that display signs and symbols only you understand! And when you do get your licence, the sense of personal achievement you will feel is overwhelming.

4. Find out from the experts (your instructor).

Getting yourself a flying experience with a local flying club like SportAir means you also get to spend time with an instructor. Our instructors are brimming with passion and experience; they want to show you the world of aviation and flying. So, take advantage by asking questions and finding out more about the process, what’s involved, and what they’ve done with their time in the air. Be warned, you’ll come away with a big bucket list of ideas for when you do get your licence!

5. See the world from an angle like no other.

When you become a pilot, you become a part of a small group of people who get to see the world from a very unique perspective – from 2,000 feet. We spend so much time on the ground, our sight limited by the narrow horizon, buildings, and similar. If you strap an aeroplane to your back you will be able to appreciate the scenery in a whole new way. The horizon widens, those buildings shrink and you can enjoy spectacular vistas like nowhere else with a new found freedom like nothing else too.

6. Create memories that last a lifetime.

As a pilot, you’ll be creating memories that do last a lifetime. Seeing some of the sights flying has to offer can leave lasting impressions. However, the one thing that will leave a lasting impression is the experience you can give others and the memories they will have. We are, of course, talking about passengers. Once all your hard work has paid off and you have your licence, you can start taking other people flying. Sharing the experience with others is exhilarating, deeply satisfying, and greatly humbling.

7. Escape the pressures of life.

Some people do yoga. Some people go for a walk. Some people watch TV. You could be leaving your worries and stresses 2,000 feet below you by going flying! Seriously though, many recreational pilots see aviating as a form of escapism, a way to leave their cares and concerns behind for a short time and concentrate their mind on something else. Perhaps flying can become your new form of escapism this year?

Book a trial flying lesson with SportAir at Goodwood Aerodrome in West Sussex, and let’s get it started!

Disclaimer: This post was written for reader entertainment only and was up to date at the time of writing. Always seek a qualified flying instructor or qualified professional for more information regarding aircraft and airfield operations, equipment, regulations and aviation legislation.