Having been bought this experience as a birthday present, it has been one of the best times I have experienced. All the arrangements worked like clockwork and the flight and instructor were marvellous. Being flown in a light aircraft was great but flying it myself was exhilarating. A great day for me and my family and friends. Thank you.
I was amazed to have been allowed a hand in everything from taxiing and take off to landing. Once in the air, it was pretty much just me! Simultaneously terrifying and exhilarating! My instructor made it a great experience for me, talking through the controls and the feel of flying and ensuring that I enjoyed the experience with tour guide commentary - which I did, right down to being the one communicating with the control centre in usual flying lingo! And the scenery in Devon is amazing, we flew up towards the Bristol channel and then swept west across and down the entire North Devon coastline. Jaw-droppingly beautiful and amazing to see places I know so well from the air. In fact, straight afterwards I went surfing in Croyde, which I had only flown a loop around about an hour earlier!
My day started like the weather bright and clear, I was so lucky that my partner chose a great day and time for my flight. She also enhanced the surprise by getting our joint children and their young familes to join us and make the whole flying experience very special. The actual preparation and instruction was enhanced by the instructor taking the time to allow my family to take both pre and post flight photos, real consideration. The flight inself was memorable not just because I was given the opportunity more than once to take the controls, but the instructions and encouragement were commensurate with the effort I tried to exhibit. On the whole I could not have had better birthday present and one that will remain with me for the rest of my days. Many thanks.
Had A Fantastic Time, Great Memories.
After a fifteen minute briefing, off we went. When we got up to 1000ft the pilot said 'Right it's all yours' so with his instructions I flew the plane. He got me to go over this cloud, and under that cloud, he taught me how to turn right and left, we flew over Harwich, over Felixstow, and over my brother's house in West Mersea. The time went so quick, then he said as I had done so well he would let me take it down to 400ft and line it up to land before he took over and landed it. He then told me how to taxi it over the grass to the hangar. Out we got and my wife was able to take some photos, I was then presented with a pilot's log book with the 1hr lesson in. I had a great time and would recommend it to anyone.
Fantastic, Fun Experience
Very enjoyable experience. Instructor very friendly and easy to get on with. The scenery was beautiful and with the weather being so good I could see for miles. Would highly recommend as a fun, new experience. Only down side is that there were no sites in Scotland so had to travel 300 miles to the nearest allocated airfield. However it did give me the opportunity to have a weekend away with my wife which is no bad thing!
What An Awesome Experience
The experience started with a warm welcome from my instructor. We first went over the basics of flying with a detailed, but easy to understand lesson in the aircraft controls. This lasted about 10 minutes and was just enough time, as I was very eager to get in the plane and start flying. 5 minutes of checks with a call to the tower and we were taxiiing down the runway. In fact I was steering the plane already and only a few minutes into the lesson! The instructor then took control as we took off and headed towards Reading and the south coast. One really excellent part of this lesson was the fact that I had the choice where we were going to fly - to the south coast and back, or circling the surrounding towns within a vast area including Farnborough, Reading, Basingstoke and Aldermaston. This was the best experience ever and I will be doing it again!
How Do You Describe A Great Experience?
Simply wonderful from start to finish. My instructor (who flies Airbuses for his day job!) took me through all of the instruments and controls before we taxied out onto the runway. Then just as we were cleared for take-off, he simply said "OK it's all yours!" He gave me complete freedom to choose were we flew to, so I was very quickly looking down on places that held childhood memories. He left most of the flying to me, only taking back control when I wanted to take some pictures. It was a bright and sunny day with a light cloud covering so we climbed to nearly 5,000 feet so that I could 'cloud hop' and just touch the top of the clouds with the aircraft's wheels. I aligned us for final approach and then we were both hands on for a smooth touchdown. Simply wonderful.
I had a fantastic flight with a lovely instructor. Amazing experience and I'm really glad I didn't swap this for a safer earth-bound option! The chaps at the airfield were wonderful, so helpful and made it a really good experience - even taking care of my husband who was on-hand to video/photograph the event.
Amazing, Exhilarating ...
Flying at 3000ft, I couldn't believe I was at the controls of this tiny plane. The view was incredible, my teacher was incredibly informative about the flying and the local landmarks, and I was at the controls! All in all a very special day.
Really Enjoyable Experience
Really good flight! Got to handle the controls extensively. Everything explained well. Scenery was really good. Very prompt getting into the plane and starting. All around very good!
Smooth And Very Pleasant Flight
I arrived at Redhill Aviation and met my pilot, Laura. She was very friendly. We pretty well jumped on board the Cessna right away and after a few safety intructions, we were airborne. It was very smooth and very pleasant, the weather allowed us a nice long distance view. After the take off, Laura showed me the controls and let me pilot the plane. It was very easy and simple and very enjoyable. I kept the commands until it was time to land and Laura took over. The whole experience was great and I would do it again.
Extremely Enjoyable Experience
This was a very good experience. The instructor was patient and friendly and obviously tailored the experience for me.
Wonderful Day, As Good As Expected
This was a 60th birthday gift for my husband and he really enjoyed the day. The flight took off and was able to fly to our home and our local area which gave him wonderful views of places never seen from the air before. Was also able to take the controls of the aircraft for some of the airtime which was a real first for him.
It Was A Great Experience
The instructor was nice and polite and as we were flying she pointed out all areas of interest.
Best Gift I Have Ever Received!
The weather was great and on arrival I was greeted and made to feel very welcome. After a 10 minute briefing we were in the plane taxiing down the runway, at this point the instructor had made me feel completely at ease and I was really looking forward to getting up in the air! To be honest I only expected to get a quick go of the controls but when in the air after about 15 minutes I was allowed to take over with assistance from the instructor. I must have been at the controls for over half the experience and it was amazing, the weather couldn't have been better!! The time went very quickly as I enjoyed it so much and can't wait to continue learning to fly!
Fantastic flying experience in a relaxed atmosphere. Great location and good instructor. Would certainly do it again.
The Most Fantastic Experience Ever
The most unforgettable Birthday gift I have ever had. The experience was fantastic from start to finish. I couldn't believe that I actually flew the plane, truly amazing. I would tell anyone to have a go, it's a thrill of a lifetime.
The experience was great and dealt with efficiently.
Martin Cornwell M
10 May 2008
Well organised and professionalism at the venue.