Welcome to the RAF Benson Flying Club Website

RAF Benson Flying Club is a military flying club open to:

Civilians may be accepted on the basis that they already hold current licences and fulfil such roles as Flight or Ground Instructors, or in some other way provide the Club with operational assistance and make a positive contribution to the Flying Club.

*Unfortunately, ex-serving members of the VR(T) and successor organisations are ineligible for Club membership.

What we provide

The club provides:

• The delivery of affordable civilian flying training and continuation flying to the Service Family (Whole Force) both past and present.

• The delivery of Junior Rank and Junior Officer Pilot Scholarship Scheme flying training.

• The delivery of resettlement training for those seeking a second career in civilian aviation.

• Access to aircraft and facilities to support Recreational flying.

• Additional ratings such as Night, Aerobatics, Instrument Flying.

Aircraft Fleet and other facilities

The club normally operates two Slingsby T67 Firefly aircraft and one DA40. However, these may be substituted for other aircraft types as required. Training manuals and navigation equipment are also available to loan to pilots as are headsets and GPS devices for all flights in club aircraft at no charge.

Joining the Club

To join the RAF Benson Flying Club please contact the club secretary using the contact form available by clicking the top right tab on this page. Once membership is confirmed you will be granted access to the rest of the website for aircraft and instructor bookings. There will be a one off £50 joining fee payable upon being accepted as a member, and annual subs paid in 12 equal monthly instalments.

Cost of aircraft hire

Whilst aircraft hire is kept as low as possible, and we endeavour to keep prices stable, unfortunately we may need to increase prices above what is shown here at short notice when our operational costs suddenly change, for example, volatility in the cost to us of aviation fuel.

Item	Charge
DA40 Hire	£195 ph
T67 Firefly Hire	£155 ph

FAQs

I have no flying experience and am interested in learning.

The club offers a structured programme of flight and theoretical training towards either a Private Pilot's Licence (Aeroplane) (PPL(A)) or a National Private Pilot's Licence (Aeroplane) (NPPL(A)). Conducted by qualified civilian flight instructors under the supervision of our Chief Flying Instructor, the training culminates in a flight skills test conducted by one of our CAA approved examiners.

What’s the difference between PPL(A) and NPPL(A)?

A PPL(A) is an international licence designed for broader privileges and career pathways, while an NPPL(A) is a cheaper, quicker, recreational licence. Once issued, the NPPL(A) has restrictions on aircraft type and on ratings that can be attached to it. It is only valid in the UK and certain other countries.

The PPL requires 40hrs of flight training including 10 hours solo. Generally, students require more than 40 hours, especially if the training is over an extended period. We recommend budgeting for 45 hours. Students will need a Class 2 medical, pass 9 theory exams and a radio practical exam.

The NPPL requires only 32 hours flying including 10 hours solo. Again, students are likely to require more than 32 hours; we recommend budgeting for 40 hours. Students do not need a Class 2 medical but must make a medical declaration, pass 5 theory exams and a radio practical exam.

Item	PPL(A) 45 hrs	NPPL(A) 40 hrs
aircraft hire	£6975	£6200
Instruction costs	£1800	£1600
2 hrs test hire	£310	£310
Skills Test	£150	£150
CAA ground exams	£315	£175
R/T Practical Exam	£140	£140
CAA class 2 medical	£150	NIL
CAA licence	£263	£256
RAFBFC membership	£115	£115
Landing Fees	circa £90	circa £90
Total	Circa £10,308	Circa £9,036

I'm a Qualified Service Pilot and wish to obtain my PPL.

Many of our members are QSPs wishing to gain civilian qualifications. The amount of flight training required will vary depending on your experience and can be conducted on an Ad-Hoc basis. Most QSPs are ready for their skills test within 6/8hrs of training.

To qualify for this course applicants must:

• Be a QSP or EFT Graduate
• Hold Class 2 CAA medical for Solo flight.
• Have CAA Form SRG 2133 signed by CO before flying training commences
• Pass some ground examinations before skills test (exemptions vary depending on your training background). • Exams can be undertaken before Flying Training commences

• Candidates are exempt from RT practical.

Flying training required is at the discretion of the CFI/HOT but will normally consist of the following

• A general handling assessment to facilitate aircraft familiarisation and cover EX 1 thro 16 About 2 hours
• Dual Qualifying Cross country to cover gaps in the EFTG training syllabus. 2 hours approx • Qualifying Cross Country Solo 2 hours approx
• Some EFT Graduates May have to make up some solo shortfall
• Skill test. 2 hours

PPL modular training QSP(H)
8 hrs aircraft (T67)	£1240
Instruction costs	£320
2 hrs test hire	£310
Skills Test	£150
CAA ground exams	£315
CAA class 2 medical	£200
CAA licence	£263
RAFBFC membership	£115
Total	£2923*

*This table is an example of QSP(H) package we provide. Costs are dependent on aircraft used and number of hours flown.

I have a PPL and want to work towards additional ratings.

The club offers courses for aerobatics, instrument (IMC) rating and night rating as well as biennial training flights, currency check flights, type conversions and differences training.

How much will this cost me and is there any funding available?

Enhanced and Standard Learning Credits can be used by all Serving personnel to conduct flying training, including aerobatics, please contact the club for further information. Funding is also available from a number of organisations such as Honorary Company of Air Pilots and the Light Aircraft Association.

I would like to use my ELCAS what do I do?

For information regarding ELCAS please visit http://www.enhancedlearningcredits.com/ and seek advice from the learning centre. The RAF Benson Flying Club is a registered provider with number: 1548.

Please apply for the course you require through your learning centre. We are happy to assist with any information you require. Once your application has been approved and received by us from ELCAS you will be able to begin your training.

ELCAS applicants should familiarise themselves with the RAFBFC ELCAS Policy before committing to apply for ELCAS funding.

 

 

 

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