What is the minimum age to fly?

Participants must be at least 12 years old; 12–13-year-olds require an accompanying adult observer on board.

Can I take the controls?

Yes — this is a trial lesson format: under instructor supervision you will be invited to handle the controls and practice basic maneuvers.

Are the aircraft wheelchair accessible?

No, the aircraft are not wheelchair accessible.

How early should I arrive for my flight?

Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time to check in and attend the safety briefing.

What happens if I need to cancel?

Cancellations require a minimum of 48 hours’ notice to avoid penalties.

Can I buy souvenirs on the day?

Yes — optional items like a branded water bottle (£19.99) and a key fob (£4.50) are available to purchase.

Take the Controls Over Norfolk's Historic Airfields — 1-Hour DA40 Experience | Airplane

High above East Anglia, the Historic Airfields flight begins at the Saxon Air Business Aviation Centre at Norwich Airport. This one-hour trial lesson invites visitors to climb into a four-seat Diamond DA40 and look down on Norfolk’s patchwork of fields, airstrips and waterways while an instructor guides the experience.

The DA40 is immediately memorable: an Austrian-built Diamond Star with a distinctive T-shaped tail, low wing and a glass cockpit that hands over panoramic visibility. Inside, racing-style leather bucket seats and modern avionics make the lesson feel equal parts museum tour and pilot’s clinic. After a safety briefing and a walkaround inspection, your instructor connects with Norwich ATC, throttles up and lifts you into the familiar East Anglian sky.

What follows is a compact, story-rich view of regional aviation history. The route traces wartime runways, grass strips and once-secret RAF bases that dot the Norfolk landscape, giving a new perspective on how these airfields shaped local communities. Below, the Norfolk Broads’ slow rivers and reedbeds contrast with geometric farmland and long, straight runways — a landscape shaped by drainage, agriculture and strategic defense. The highlight is the invitation to take the controls: under instructor supervision you can handle straight-and-level flight and learn basic stick-and-rudder technique.

Practicalities are straightforward. The experience runs as a 60-minute flight for one or two passengers; participants must be 12 or older, and 12–13-year-olds require an adult observer on board. Please arrive 15 minutes early for check-in; cancellations need at least 48 hours’ notice. Note that aircraft are not wheelchair accessible and trousers are recommended for boarding.

Why book this over a standard sightseeing flight? The lesson format transforms spectators into students, and the DA40’s visibility makes even routine features—airfield patterns, hedgerows, river bends—feel newly significant. It’s an ideal way to celebrate a milestone, gift an aviation-curious friend, or add a high-adrenaline chapter to a Norfolk weekend.

For photographers and history buffs alike, the flight compresses acres of story into an hour: the geometry of wartime strips, the watery weave of the Broads and the crisp outline of Norwich below. Book through the Saxon Air Business Aviation Centre for a pilot-led, hands-on hour in the sky that threads past historic runways and over a landscape shaped by water, war and farming.

Included are a welcome, introduction and safety briefing before the 60-minute DA40 lesson led by an experienced pilot. Flights run for one or two passengers and include a full pre-flight walkaround so you learn about the aircraft. Optional on-day souvenirs are available — a branded water bottle (£19.99) or key fob (£4.50). The format blends instruction and sightseeing, leaving many participants ready to book further flying training or to pursue a private pilot course afterward locally.

About Saxon Air

Saxon Air is an aviation company based in Norwich, England, offering flight experiences, introductory training, and STEM-focused days. Operating modern light aircraft including the Diamond DA40 and Pipistrel models, Saxon Air delivers trial lessons, scenic flights, and hands-on aviation courses for newcomers, enthusiasts, and those exploring aviation careers.

The company’s program range includes one-hour and 45- to 60-minute trial flights, an electric aircraft experience over local landmarks, STEM aircraft maintenance and ground operations days, and a two-day cabin crew training course. Each experience pairs classroom briefings with instructor-led flying or practical sessions, enabling participants to learn flight controls, aerodynamics, safety procedures, and airport operations.

Saxon Air hosts Introduction into Flight Training sessions that combine simulator practice with live flying in Pipistrel aircraft, and offers Scenic Flights that showcase Norfolk’s coastline, countryside, and historic airfields from the cockpit. The maintenance and ground operations days provide hands-on exposure under expert supervision, ideal for students and career explorers.

Safety and instruction are delivered by qualified instructors familiar with light aircraft operations and local procedures. Flights depart from Norwich, providing easy access for residents and visitors to Norfolk. Booking information, availability, and specific aircraft used are provided by Saxon Air at the time of reservation.

Saxon Air’s blend of trial lessons, STEM learning days, and cabin crew training creates a practical gateway into aviation professions and recreational flying. Customers receive clear pre-flight briefings.