What Can I Expect

A small and friendly location for your flying lesson in Carlisle! Here's your chance to fly over Cumbria from this family-run school and aeroclub based out of Carlisle Lake District Airport, with 30 and 60-minute flight options in two and four-seater aircraft available.

This dedicated Carlisle team is headed up by Chief Flying Instructor (CFI), examiner and owner Alan Rayson. Alan has clocked up many thousands of flying hours and loved his job teaching lessons so much that he started this school in Carlisle with his wife Helen in 2004!

So what can you expect on the big day? After a warm welcome from the operations team, you will have a brief introduction to the light aircraft you'll be flying in (usually a two-seater Robin or the four-seater Piper Warrior) before your designated lesson instructor takes you to the plane to start pre-checks.

Once ready for take off, you'll taxi along the tarmac runway, increase the speed and before you know it, the nose lifts up and you're smoothly climbing with the Cumbrian countryside falling away beneath you.

All aircraft used are dual-controlled, so once stable you will take control under the supervision of your instructor.

In normal weather conditions you cruise at around 2000ft over Carlisle and, depending on the duration of your flight, you might be flying over such sights as the Hadrian's Wall, the Solway Coast and the stunning Lake District on your lesson.

At some point during your visit you may even be lucky enough to meet a VIP member of the flying team - Lloyd the cat who loves to watch the aircraft coming and going from his prime spot on the radiator!

Taking flying lessons at Carlisle Lake District Airport is a fab choice, as it's a great airport to fly from and this school is definitely one of the friendliest you'll find in the Cumbria area. 

When Is It Available

• Flights take place on weekends and weekdays throughout the year, weather permitting
• Dates and session times are subject to availability
• Vouchers must be booked and redeemed within 6 months of the purchase date at this venue

Suitable For

• Minimum age is 14
• Maximum height is 6'4"
• Maximum weight is 14 stone for 2 seater aircraft
• 4 seater flights allow an additional guest (at pilots discretion) to accompany you on the flight, observing from the rear seat
• The maximum weight for a 4 seater flight is 25 stone (split if additional guests accompany)
• Photographic ID may be requested

Spectators

• Spectators are welcome
• There is a Cafe at the airfield
• Nearby pubs can be recommended by the flying school
• Framed photos of the experience can be purchased from the school for an additional charge
• The airport is also home to the Solway Aviation Museum which has a number of aircraft on display

Anything Else

• Dogs are not permitted on site