Flying gift vouchers. Flexwing and fixed wing (3 axis) microlight training near Marlborough, Wiltshire

Makes an ideal gift that will probably be remembered for years to come.
Tel 01672  515535 to buy by credit or debit card NOW

What will it be like?
If you have not flown in a small aircraft before it is quite likely that you will arrive at the airfield with mild trepidation. This is quite normal. First make your presence known so that the instructor is aware that you are on site. Do not be shy, ask any of the people around to tell you what is going on and where the hot drinks and toilets are. With luck someone will take you in hand and describe what is going on and probably point out the type of aircraft that you will be flying in. It could be that the aircraft has just come down from giving someone else a trial lesson. In which case look out for someone with a big grin on their face telling their family/friends how wonderful it was.

The instructor will appear to be dashing around as he grabs a coffee/sandwich/loo break/hands warming session between flights. He will then check your gift voucher and ask you to sign the day membership form. Now if you are flying in the open cockpit flexwing you will be presented with a warm flying suit to climb into, thick gloves and a headset and helmet. Particularly in winter being warm is good so do not be surprised to feel over dressed with a passing resemblance to a Michelin Man.

The instructor will now ask you a bit about yourself and any previous flying experience, take you to the aircraft and show you how to get in. Once sat inside he will strap you in securely and if in the open cockpit flex wing will emphasize that there must be no loose objects that might fly off. Your head set will both keep the engine and wind noise away and give clear conversation with the instructor.

A series of pre flight checks will be done and then the engine started and allowed to warm up. This can take a few minutes in winter or the start of a day. The aircraft will then taxi out to the runway that is in use, which is usually the one pointing closest to the way the wind is blowing towards you. Part way down the runway the engine is usually checked again.

At the end of the runway a few further checks will be done, the instructor usually saying them aloud. Then full power and off you go. The grass can be quite lumpy so just like driving a car across a field do not expect it to be smooth. However once the wheels leave the ground then it gets much smoother. Small aircraft, particularly the flexwings, can climb quite steeply so you will feel as though the ground is dropping away from you and very quickly you will be looking down at the trees and buildings and hopefully seeing any family/friends waving at you.

Where will we go? What will we see?
The aircraft will usually climb whilst staying close to the airfield and then off into the distance you will go. The direction of the flight is usually weather dependant but typically might be out over towards Pewsey, past the white horse, up to Silbury Hill, Avebury and Kennet Long Barrow and back via Marlborough. On a clear day you will might see in the distance the Severn Estuary, the Welsh mountains, the Solent and the Isle of Wight. Below you will be amazed at some of the big houses, look out for the Windmill and the Crofton Beam Engine.

The instructor will keep chatting to you. If at any time you feel unsure of anything then tell the instructor. Most pilots really enjoy sharing their world with a new flyer. It is quite likely that you will be given the chance to take the controls and see how easy it is to fly.

All too soon you will be back over the airfield and starting to descend. Probably for the first time in the flight the instructor will reduce the engine power to near idle speed so it will get quieter and you will feel the aircraft losing height. The aircraft will now be close to the airfield, as we call it, in the circuit. Pre landing checks will be made and then there will be the runway ahead of you and the grass rushing past below. Remember the grass is not smooth so as you touch down you will feel the wheels trundle over the field.

Back on the ground!
Finally you will taxi back to the clubhouse, switch off the engine and have a good photo opportunity. If you have friends with you then the casual pose standing next to the aircraft is always good and for the flexwing flyer keep the suit on and have the helmet under one arm! The instructor is probably now off for a quick cupper and to say hello to the next person. Sit down, have a coffee and watch for a bit whilst reliving in your mind what you have just done.

If you want to try it again or would like to give a gift voucher to a friend then this can all be arranged for you now and be aware if you buy gift vouchers direct from the airfield you miss out the middle man and get better value than buying through a high street store or mail order company. If you have made the big decision and want to start learning to fly then if you purchase a log book the first flight becomes the first lesson and you get that signed off. You are now on your way to becoming a pilot.