Terms & Conditions

These terms apply to flights, training, aircraft hire and other services booked with Portal Aviation Limited ("Portal Aviation", "we", "us"), registered in England and Wales (company number 17507844) and a CAA Declared Training Organisation (reference GBR.DTO.0416), of Rochester Airport, Maidstone Road, Chatham, Kent, ME5 9SD. You can contact us at[email protected]. By booking with us you agree to these terms.

1. Bookings

A booking is confirmed only when we agree a date and time with you in writing (email is fine). Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your booked time for your briefing. If you arrive late we may need to shorten or rearrange your flight.

2. Prices and payment

All prices include VAT. Prices on the website can change, but the price agreed when you book is the price you pay. Some prices, such as aircraft hire, are based on the cost of fuel and may be reviewed if fuel costs change significantly.

3. Weather, safety and operations

All flights are subject to suitable weather, aircraft serviceability, air traffic control and airfield conditions. The pilot in command or instructor makes the final decision on whether a flight goes ahead, its route and its duration, and may end a flight early for safety reasons. If we cancel or cut short a flight for any of these reasons we will rearrange it at no extra cost. We are not responsible for travel, accommodation or other costs you incur because a flight is rearranged.

4. Your responsibilities

• Weight and height limits apply and vary by aircraft. You must give us accurate information when booking.
• Trial lessons and flying training have a minimum age of 14. Under-18s require the written consent of a parent or guardian.
• You must not fly under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and must tell us about any medical condition that may affect your safety.
• You must follow the instructions of your instructor or pilot, and the airfield's safety rules, at all times.
• We may refuse to fly anyone who has given us inaccurate information, does not meet these requirements, or whom the pilot reasonably believes is unfit to fly. In these cases the flight is treated as taken and is not refunded.

5. Cancellations and changes by you

You may rearrange your booking free of charge with at least 48 hours' notice. If you cancel with less than 48 hours' notice, or do not arrive, the flight is treated as taken and is not refunded or rearranged.

6. Flight times

Flight durations are approximate and include taxiing. Routes may vary on the day because of weather, air traffic control or other traffic.

7. Aircraft hire

Pilots hiring our aircraft must hold a valid licence, rating and medical, complete a checkout flight with us, and follow our hire rules and the aircraft's limitations. Hire is charged per tacho hour. Hirers are responsible for any fines or charges arising from their flight, and for loss or damage caused by their breach of these terms or the hire rules, up to the limit set out in those rules.

8. Personal belongings and photography

You may take photos and videos for personal use where the pilot agrees it is safe. Loose items must be secured. We are not responsible for loss of or damage to personal belongings unless it is caused by our negligence.

9. Our liability

Nothing in these terms limits or excludes our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud, or for anything else that cannot be limited or excluded by law, and nothing affects your statutory rights. Subject to that, we are not liable for losses that were not reasonably foreseeable, or for business losses, and our total liability for any booking is limited to the price you paid for it.

10. Events outside our control

We are not responsible for delays or failures caused by events outside our reasonable control, such as severe weather, airfield closures, airspace restrictions or industrial action. If this affects your booking we will rearrange it with you.

11. Website

Content on this website is provided for general information. We try to keep it accurate, but prices and availability may change. All content and images are owned by us or used under licence, and may not be copied without our permission. We are not responsible for the content of other websites we link to.

12. Complaints

If you are unhappy with any part of our service, please email [email protected] and we will do our best to put it right.

13. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time. The version shown when you book applies to that booking.

14. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales have jurisdiction. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland you may also bring proceedings in your local courts.