Header photo: James from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)
Devon gives you a choice between learning at a busy regional airport and learning at a classic grass-and-tarmac general aviation airfield. At Exeter Airport, Aviation South West has been running private and commercial flight training since 1999, and Exeter Flying School is based on the airport’s north side. Training alongside airliners means you get used to air traffic control from your very first lessons.
Devon at a glance
- Main airfields: Exeter Airport, Dunkeswell, North Hill (gliding)
- What you can learn: PPL and commercial training, helicopters, gliding, airliner simulators
- Schools listed: 6 on AviatorFinds
- Big event: English Riviera Airshow, Paignton, June 2027
Jump to: Flight schools Choosing a school Events FAQs
Up in the Blackdown Hills, Dunkeswell is the county’s general aviation hub. Devon & Somerset Flight Training teaches there in Cessna trainers, and AH Helicopters uses Dunkeswell as its training base for helicopter lessons. Nearby, North Hill is home to the Devon & Somerset Gliding Club, which offers first flights and courses for anyone who wants to try gliding.
If you are not ready to fly yet, Jetsim at Exeter Airport runs full-size Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 simulator experiences, which are a fun way to see what an airline flight deck is like.
Flight schools in Devon
These are the flight schools and clubs in Devon listed on AviatorFinds, in alphabetical order. Tap a card to see contact details, location and what each one teaches.
See all UK flight schools All flight schools & clubs
Choosing a flight school in Devon
- Pick the airfield that suits you. Exeter Airport gives you controlled-airspace experience from day one, while Dunkeswell and North Hill are quieter places to learn the basics.
- Visit before you book. Look at the aircraft, meet the instructors and ask how many students they are training at the moment.
- Ask what the price includes. Aircraft hire, instructor time, landing fees, ground school and exam fees are often charged separately.
- Start with a trial lesson. It is the easiest way to find out whether a school and an instructor suit you.
New to flying? Start with what it’s like to train for a Private Pilot Licence in the UK, how to become a private pilot: lessons learned and beginner tips and runway markings, signs and lighting explained.
Run a flying school in Devon that isn’t listed yet? You can add your listing here.
Aviation events in and near Devon
Upcoming events in Devon and the South West:
Learning to fly: guides from our blog
Frequently asked questions
Where can I learn to fly in Devon?
The main places are Exeter Airport, where Aviation South West and Exeter Flying School are based, and Dunkeswell in the Blackdown Hills, home to Devon & Somerset Flight Training and the training base of AH Helicopters. For gliding, the Devon & Somerset Gliding Club flies from North Hill.
Can I learn to fly a helicopter in Devon?
Yes. AH Helicopters offers helicopter lessons and has its training base at Dunkeswell, with another base at Lustleigh on Dartmoor.
Which licence should I train for?
Most people start with a Private Pilot Licence (PPL), but the Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) and gliding are cheaper ways in if you only want to fly for fun. The UK Civil Aviation Authority explains each licence and its medical requirements.
Official sources
More flight school area guides
- Flight Schools in Cornwall: Newquay, Bodmin, Land’s End and gliding at Perranporth.
- Flight Schools in Dorset: Bournemouth Airport and the hilltop grass airfield at Compton Abbas.
- Flight Schools in Hampshire: Popham, Blackbushe and Farnborough, from microlights to commercial courses.
- Flight Schools in London: Elstree, Biggin Hill, Redhill, Denham and more around the M25.
- Flight Schools in Scotland: Perth, Glasgow, Prestwick, Fife, Inverness and Aberdeen.
- Flight Schools in Arizona: Chandler, Falcon Field in Mesa and Stellar Airpark.
- Flight Schools in Hawaii: Honolulu, Kalaeloa, Dillingham and Kahului on Maui.
See every area on our Area Guides and Flight Schools by Area pages, or browse all flight schools, clubs and associations in the directory.