Take a trial flying lesson

What happens, and where it can lead

At Derby Aero Club you sit in the left seat with the instructor on the right. The instructor briefs you on the aircraft, the local flying area and the controls and instruments, takes off, then hands over the controls and teaches basic handling before landing and talking the flight through. The time you pay for is only the time the aircraft is moving. Nebraska Flight Center tells people to allow about two hours on site, including a walk round the aircraft for the pre-flight inspection.

Derby says its trial lesson is the first part of the Private Pilot's Licence course and counts towards the required hours. Nebraska Flight Center says the instructor signs your logbook and the time counts towards a private pilot certificate.

In the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority no longer issues the Light Aircraft Pilot Licence for aeroplanes; students who trained for one but did not have it issued before 1 October 2025 receive a National Private Pilot Licence (NPPL) instead. The CAA's guidance asks for at least 32 hours of flight time for the NPPL(A), not counting the skill test, including 10 hours of supervised solo with at least four hours of solo cross-country and one solo cross-country flight of at least 150 km (80 nautical miles). There are five theory exams. The NPPL can only be used on UK-registered aircraft inside UK airspace, unless an agreement with another country allows otherwise, and the minimum age is 17.

The UK Private Pilot Licence for aeroplanes needs 40 hours of flight instruction, which can be reduced to 35 at an approved training organisation. That includes 10 hours of supervised solo and at least five hours of solo cross-country, with one flight of at least 270 km (150 nautical miles) landing at two other aerodromes, plus nine theory exams and a skill test with an examiner.

In the US you do not need a student pilot certificate to take lessons, only before you fly solo. You must be at least 16 and able to read, speak and understand English. The FAA's minimum for a private pilot certificate on single-engine aeroplanes is 40 hours of flight time, including 20 hours of instruction and 10 hours solo, with set amounts of cross-country, night and instrument flying.

Medicals: the CAA says it is fine to have a trial flight and some initial lessons, but advises checking the medical requirements before committing to a full course. A UK PPL needs a Class 2 medical certificate from an aeromedical examiner. NPPL students can train, including supervised solo, on a Pilot Medical Declaration, which pilots must not make unless they reasonably believe they meet the DVLA Group 1 (car) standard. In the US, the FAA says student pilots need at least a third-class medical certificate from an aviation medical examiner before the first solo flight.

What a trial lesson costs

Derby's vouchers are valid for nine months and are transferable but not refundable. Scottsdale asks for payment in advance; the payment is non-refundable but is held as a credit for six months.