If you're serious about learning to fly, you might have your head set on gaining your PPL (Private Pilot's Licence) which allows you to fly aircraft across the UK for non-commercial use. To gain this license, you usually have to do a minimum of 40 hours of flight training and pass several tests before you're allowed to roam through the skies. 

Whether or not you should start with a trial flying lesson is dependent on what type of experience you have. If you're a complete beginner, it would be a no brainer introduction to flying, but if you've already clocked up some hours, you'll want to do regular lessons to build up your hours in the skies. However, if it's been a while since you last flew, it could be a useful re-introduction. 

What is covered in a trial flying lesson?

Trial flying lessons are usually dibbed as the first step in anyone's flying journey. Like a regular flying lesson, you'll be accompanied by an expert instructor who will be showing you all the controls and safety procedures prior to getting in the skies.

However, one of the main differences is in a trial lesson, the pilot will completely take care of take off and landing, whereas after a few flying lessons, this is expected to be your responsibility. 

During a trial lesson, you'll be given the opportunity to explore the controls for a short while, but it won't be the main focus of the lesson. Rather, it's a chance for you to get comfortable in the plane and used to the sensation of flying, as well as ask any questions you have. Lot's of people prefer to take the chance to enjoy the views, whilst having 'a go' with the controls to make it an introduction to flying before the real thing - flying lessons. 

So if you have no flying experience at all and want to gain your PPL, this would be the first step to take. However, if you've already got some recent experience under your belt, it would be better to opt for a standard flying lesson. 

Another option for first time flyers

You'll want to consider all of your options before splashing the cash on a flying experience, and microlight flights are another excellent choice for new or first time flyers. This is because microlight planes, such as the Cyclone AX2000 or the Quik GT 450, are very easy to control and are easy to handle in the skies.

Another fun thing about microlights is that you can usually choose to fly in an open or closed cockpit on your lesson - depending on how close you want to be to the natural elements!