A gift bought for me by my daughters in 2018. It was a busy period for myself and then covid hit and this summer weather was also a challenge, so yes, a long wait!!!
I arranged with Barry the pilot that I should pick a good day and phone early morning. There was a two day weather window of opportunity coming up and I was prepared. I phoned Barry and it was a 'yes' lets go. I was suited and booted and given a safety briefing and details of the flight plan. The seating arrangement can only be described as 'snug', the type of 'snug' that you have with your best friend, 'snug'! Take off was within a very short distance and we were up and climbing! What with the ground wind and the thermals take off was unexpectedly wobbly, ha! Add to this the feeling of vulnerability at being so open, there was no protection from the metal cage and an airbag that we are so comfortable with nowadays!! Once above 2000ft there was an air stillness. Watching a hawk below looking for a mid morning snack and views in the distance. Barry's knowledge of the area was excellent as he described the buildings and the view of the Lake District. The history of the canals, railways and the motorway with dates and distances. The quarry pits that have been repurposed as fishing and leisure lakes and the numerous rivers that flow across the Fylde before climbing into the Trough of Bowland. What seemed like a very brief flight had now come to an end, it was time to land. There was so much to take in that half a day in this bird like state would not have been enough!! The wind was now a little stronger and the landing a little more challenging than the take off. With a wobble here and a wobble there and a quick last minute tug on the wing we were down for a nice gentil landing. Thank you Barry for a most enjoyable microlite flight.
A gift bought for me by my daughters in 2018. It was a busy period for myself and then covid hit and this summer weather was also a challenge, so yes, a long wait!!!
I arranged with Barry the pilot that I should pick a good day and phone early morning. There was a two day weather window of opportunity coming up and I was prepared. I phoned Barry and it was a 'yes' lets go. I was suited and booted and given a safety briefing and details of the flight plan. The seating arrangement can only be described as 'snug', the type of 'snug' that you have with your best friend, 'snug'! Take off was within a very short distance and we were up and climbing! What with the ground wind and the thermals take off was unexpectedly wobbly, ha! Add to this the feeling of vulnerability at being so open, there was no protection from the metal cage and an airbag that we are so comfortable with nowadays!! Once above 2000ft there was an air stillness. Watching a hawk below looking for a mid morning snack and views in the distance. Barry's knowledge of the area was excellent as he described the buildings and the view of the Lake District. The history of the canals, railways and the motorway with dates and distances. The quarry pits that have been repurposed as fishing and leisure lakes and the numerous rivers that flow across the Fylde before climbing into the Trough of Bowland. What seemed like a very brief flight had now come to an end, it was time to land. There was so much to take in that half a day in this bird like state would not have been enough!! The wind was now a little stronger and the landing a little more challenging than the take off. With a wobble here and a wobble there and a quick last minute tug on the wing we were down for a nice gentil landing. Thank you Barry for a most enjoyable microlite flight.