Introductory Flights – Ts & Cs

This page seeks to avoid the usual myriad of ‘legal small print’ and instead summarises the terms and conditions that apply to Introductory Flights in plain English. If you have any queries, please contact us at info@haaf.uk.

Suggested topics (as yet in no particular order):

  1. Something about booking and cancellation ….
  2. Gift vouchers are non-refundable but are transferrable
  3. The Aircraft Captain’s word is final
  4. Unsuitable weather can cause rescheduling
  5. Subject to operational availability – we only have one of each aircraft type and serviceability/technical issues take priority – we will reschedule and we will endeavour to give you as much advance warning as we are able
  6. We are not liable for any expenses you may incur in relation to a flight that needs to be cancelled, postponed or rescheduled due to operational circumstances, including unsuitable weather, aircraft serviceability, airfield restrictions or any other reason deemed necessary by the Aircraft Captain
  7. Must be at least 18 years of age
  8. You must be in good health and able to climb into/out of the aircraft unassisted. Our aircraft are unpressurised. [JT suggested text: Passengers must be in good health. They must be capable of wearing a military flying helmet (glasses are compatible). Additionally, they must be able to enter and exit the aircraft without significant aid. For those passengers who occupy the front seat of any of our aircraft, they must be able to do so without any interference to any controls or switches. The Aircraft Captain’s decision on your fitness to fly is final. For those unable to occupy the front or rear seat of one of our aircraft, passengers will be offered a flight in a different seat of the same aircraft, or moved onto a different type depending on the situation; however, this may not be possible on the day of your flight.]
  9. Must be below 125kg and 195cm (figures at random!) [JT suggested text: Each of our aircraft have different weight and size capacities. Passengers of a heavier nature and/or have more extreme size characteristics should make this clear during their booking so our team can endeavour to accommodate your requirements. Should your specifics not be compatible with one of our aircraft, we will endeavour to offer you a flight in one of the other aircraft in our fleet.]
  10. Acknowledgement of risk. “If at any time before engine start, you decide that the level of risk is unacceptable to you, you may cancel and receive a full refund.“
  11. No alcohol/drugs pre-flight (coffee/tea are approved stimulants!) [JT suggested text: Drugs and alcohol aren’t compatible with aviation. Those who are deemed to be under the influence of either, will not be able to fly and aren’t guaranteed to be re-booked. The Aircraft Captain’s decision is final.]
  12. Where a flight is not being booked with a prepaid voucher, payment is due in accordance with the terms and conditions of our invoice. [JT comment: I assume if you don’t book in advance and are a ‘walk-in’ then payment is required before the flight?]
  13. Smoking is not permitted anywhere, including the use of e-cigarettes. [JT suggested text: Smoking and E cigarettes are only permitted in allocated areas.]
  14. You will not be allowed to fly until you have participated in a pre-flight briefing and signed the Safety Standards Acknowledgement and Consent (or whatever we call our version).
  15. You must follow all instructions given to you by the pilot or any crew member at all times to ensure the safety of yourself, fellow passengers and our crew.
  16. You must provide your own footwear, which should be sturdy and have flat, non-slip soles. Sandals, flip-flops and heels are not suitable. Please dress appropriately for flying in an aircraft that has minimal environmental conditioning.
  17. Cameras are permitted in the aircraft but must be secured to you by a strap either on your wrist or around your neck. The use of drones is not permitted on the airfield or in the vicinity of the aircraft when flying.
  18. Do we broach the elephant in the room: front seat vs. back seat? [JT suggested text: Whilst every effort will be made to accommodate your specific requests, we cannot guarantee a seat position unless a whole aircraft booking is made or the flight is taken in an aircraft which can only accommodate one passenger.]
  19. Flight times include start-up (or loading time if the aircraft engine is already running) and shutdown, which can last 3-5 minutes but we seek to maximise the active duration of the experience
  20. All participants are covered by our standard aircraft insurance
  21. JT suggested additions:
  22. In accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority CAP 1653 https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/Introductory%20Flights%20Guidance%20(CAP1653).pdf, flight time as a passenger on an Introductory Flight will not count as training towards the grant of a pilot’s licence
  23. An Introductory Flight is not a trial lesson with an Flying Instructor. Only a small proportion of our pilots are Flying Instructors. Passengers will not handle the aircraft unless they fly with an Instructor, the aircraft is fitted with dual controls and they occupy one of the pilot seats
  24. If a passenger wishes to guarantee handling of an aircraft at the point of booking then they are required to book a Trial Lesson, not an Introductory Flight. At this time, the HAAF do not offer Trial Lessons.