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A short drive from the tiny village of Shireoaks in Nottinghamshire, and half an hour’s drive away from the bustling Northern industrial city of Sheffield, Netherthorpe Airfield is the home of Sheffield Aero Club, a fine, centrally placed location to book flying experiences and days with FlyDays.
It was initially what was known in 1933 as a ‘Privateers’ aerodrome club for aviation enthusiasts in the local area, specialising in flying the de Havilland DH.60 Moth. After a proposal to the local council in 1935 to form it as a development aerodrome, the Sheffield Aero Club was born.
However, no sooner had this been approved then World War II broke out in 1939, and all flying clubs were forced to cease operations with immediate effect. Military operations commenced at Netherthorpe with the arrival of the No. 613 Squadron RAF of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force in a flight of Westland Lysander Mk II aircraft in 1940.
As the war progressed, they also utilised a Miles Magister and de Havilland Tiger Moth, and the airfield was upgraded with six Type 22 pill boxes, two of which are still standing today as a mark of it’s important role during the Battle of Britain.
However, even though the RAF retained control of the airfield until 1951, operations more or less ceased there when the No. 613 Squadron were moved to nearby RAF Firbeck. The Sheffield Aero Club finally reconvened and reunited in 1961.
A new clubhouse was built during the 1970s to replace the old one which the RAF had used as a control room during the war. It was also around this time that their very popular licenced food and drink establishment the Skyways Bar was established on site, as well as four new hangars, a control tower and a fuel bowser, all of which are still in use today together with a 553 x 36 metre grass runway.
Flying in Sheffield and South Yorkshire
Sheffield Aero Club offers plenty of fantastic opportunities to discover and enjoy the thrills of flying and aviation over South Yorkshire, with our range of Flying Lessons packages that we offer here on FlyDays.
The 30 Minute Lesson is a good way to get your introduction to aviation. An expert, CAA approved instructor will join you as you hop into the cockpit of a two-seater aeroplane, as you get airborne and get to grips with controlling and flying a plane for the very first time.
Double the Lessons, Double the Airtime
Want a bit more time up in the air? You can always go for our 60 Minute Lesson package. You’ll get the same CAA approved tuition whilst up above the skies of South Yorkshire, but more time in the air means more time to build your confidence and come into your own as a pilot.
And no matter how long you choose for your first lesson, the tuition you undertake here will count towards you obtaining your Private Pilot’s Licence. So what started as a fun day out or a bucket list item fulfilled could soon be a fledgling aviation career or hobby!
Booking to Fly at Sheffield Aero Club
With experiences available to book from forthcoming dates that you see listed on our Events calendar, or through our open gift vouchers which can be put towards the experience of your choice at a time to suit you (they’re a fabulous gift idea too), your next flying day or experience at Sheffield Aero Club is sorted with FlyDays.