Xperiences Guide to Flying Experience Days
See the world from a different angle with one of our many and very varied flying experiences covered in this short guide to flying experience days. For the most extreme, put you nerves of steel to test and take part in an aerial dog fight or leave the plane behind as you take the plunge from 12,000ft with a tandem skydive. If stomach churning excitement is not your cup of tea then take the controls yourself and learn to fly hang gliders, paragliders, tiger moths and many more. For those after a more relaxing experience why not take a pleasure flights or sip champagne whilst floating across the spectacular English countryside in a magnificent Hot Air Balloon.
Tandem Skydiving. Throwing yourself out of a plane at 10,000 feet might be considered utter madness. But if close friends start wondering aloud about your sanity, you can reassure them that you’ll be attached (literally) to an expert instructor and that, frankly, you’re in for an experience so exhilarating that you’ll probably never stop talking about it. Your experience normally begins with a thorough briefing on skydiving and landing techniques, before you go up in the plane. You’ll then be securely harnessed to your instructor, who will help you jump from the plane (or at least help you fall with style). You’ll get about 30 seconds of freefall, which is so completely incredible there’s no point in trying to describe it. Then your instructor will open the parachute and control your descent while you admire the view and try to come to terms with the adrenaline rush.
Hang Gliding. Mother nature may not have given us wings, but science has given us hang gliders instead. These experiences let you fly like a bird. After a full briefing, your instructor will introduce you to the glider that you will use and which is specifically designed for tandem flight. You’ll be shown how to get into to the harness and once secured, you and your instructor will be towed into the air behind a microlight tug. Once you’re at a height of around 2,000ft the rope is released, the microlight pulls away and you’re free to soar and circle lazily in the thermal currents above the beautiful countryside, with incredible views of the earth and the sky. It really will take your breath away.
Aerobatic Flying. Get ready for the roller coaster ride of a lifetime. In a breathtaking combination of precise performance, high speed and intense maneuvers you will be subjected to some of the most extreme sensory experiences that exist. Sit back and relax (if you can) while your expert pilot demonstrates just what the plane is capable of. Wingovers, barrel turns, cuban8’s and stall turns you will feel the intense G force as you climb skyward and roll back plunging towards the ground.
Helicopter Rides. Enjoy a delightful passenger flight over the landmarks of London in a JetRanger helicopter or a Bell 206L-1 LongRanger. After a pre-flight briefing, you will take off for the tour, giving you a superb aerial view flying over the capital and surrounding countryside. Departing from the airport, sites you will probably encounter include Canary Wharf Tower, The Millennium Dome, Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast, St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and The Houses of Parliament. Go on and treat someone to this once in a lifetime experience…
Microlighting. Escape from the boredom of life and conventional flying - experience microlighting! Upon arrival you will normally be briefed on the principles of microlight flying. From there you will be taken to the microlight for a general familiarisation of the aircraft and run-through of the controls. After this it’s time to zoom from the airfield into the sky for the 30 minute flight of a lifetime! Once in the air you will have the chance to take controls of the aircraft and so get the thrill of actually piloting a microlight.
Hot Air Ballooning. Have you ever looked up to see a hot air balloon drifting silently overhead? With these experiences it’ll be you in the basket of the balloon, looking down as everyone else is still waking up. First off (with feet still firmly on the ground!), you’ll meet your pilot and get a flight safety briefing, before helping to prepare and inflate the balloon then climb into the basket, ready for launching. Flying at heights of up to 5,000 feet, you’ll gaze down at the beautiful views of the countryside below and enjoy the restful peace and quiet (except for when the propane burners are going that is). Because the balloon moves with the wind, you’ll feel no wind at all, just sheer enjoyment. After landing you can help the crew pack the balloon away, before enjoying a celebratory glass of champagne (or soft drink) and being driven back to the launch site (who knows where you’ll land? - you can’t steer balloons!).
Indoor Skydiving. This totally unique experience allows to you experience the sheer exhilaration of skydiving, in a specially constructed wind tunnel, the likes of which are usually used to test the aerodynamics of F1 racing cars! After all the necessary training you will step into the airflow and taste the thrill of freefall in a totally safe and controlled environment, and what’s more, its suitable for almost anyone from age 5 so even the kids can have a go.
Flying. Become the captain of an aircraft in just 30 minutes with tuition from a CAA qualified instructor. Upon arrival at the aerodrome you will normally be given a briefing on the principles of light aircraft flying. From there you are taken to the aeroplane for a general familiarisation of the cockpit layout and a rundown of the controls. After this it’s up, up and away for a 30 minute flight of a lifetime! If the instructor feels confident that his new student is ready, they will even be able to take the controls and get the thrill.