TOP GUNS
It’s not unusual for a market to be dominated by one or two big names, so in modern recreational aviation we see two names coming up again and again. The workhorses of aeroplane tours, pleasure flights and trial lessons in the UK are 2 and 4-seater models from the manufacturers Cessna and Piper. The Cessna has the 152 and 172 Skyhawk, with 2 and 4 seats respectively, while the most common Pipers are the PA- 28 Cherokee, Warrior, Archer and Tomahawk.
These planes are effective, reliable and, thanks to the economy of scale, relatively cheap for flight experience companies to purchase and maintain. That saving is passed onto the customer, making Cessna and Piper flights a great value-for-money option for aspiring aviators. But don’t think there’s anything vanilla about the experience - you’ll feel all the rush of flight in one of these planes and enjoy sweeping vistas from their large windows.
You’ll find plenty of Piper and Cessna flight experiences in Lancashire, for example, and around the UK.
AEROBATIC AIRCRAFT
Time to get sporty! The word aerobatic combines aero, as in aeroplane or aeronautics, with acrobatics. This is the category that contains stunt planes of the type you’ll have seen at airshows. In comparison to general aviation craft such as those made by Cessna and Piper, you’re looking at getting into the passenger seat only of these machines, as piloting them is more complex.
Popular aerobatic planes that can be found in the UK include the American Champion Decathlon, the Mudry CAP 10, the Pitts Special, the Extra 330 LX and the Robin 2160. A word of warning - if you’re planning to arrange an experience in one of these aircraft, be prepared to feel the kind of stomach-lurching forces that you’d experience on the wildest roller coasters.
For a flight of fancy, check out aerobatic flights in the West Midlands.
HISTORIC FLYING MACHINES
Getting close to the story of human powered flight is almost as interesting to some people as the sensation of flying itself. Luckily for them, examples of historic aircraft have been lovingly maintained or restored by like minded folk over the decades and can take soaring through the skies and travelling back in time. There are no surviving examples of the earliest planes made of wood and canvas that were developed during the First World War, but several Second World War planes are an option.
Of the early aircraft manufacturers, it’s de Havilland that has best stood the test of time, at least in the UK. The charming Tiger Moth biplane is one of the few heritage aircraft you can fly yourself and there are T6 Harvards and Chipmunks available as well. Then there’s a familiar name, Piper. Before the days of the Cherokee and the Warrior, the Piper Cub was an incredibly widespread and well loved training aircraft. Finally, there’s the mighty Spitfire. Flying as a passenger in this iconic aircraft lets you relive the drama of the Battle of Britain like never before. You can also arrange to fly as a passenger in a plane alongside a Spitfire and watch it in motion.
Click here to find out about flying a de Havilland Tiger Moth in Oxfordshire.
RARE SIGHTINGS
There are plenty of types of aeroplane that are used by recreational aviation companies around the country. They’ve been chosen by the pilots in charge for a whole range of reasons - control configuration, performance, efficiency, cabin visibility, to name a few - and they each offer a unique experience. Some of those on offer are the Diamond DA40, the Evektor Eurostar, the Rockwell Commander and the Cirrus Vision. The last on the list is a particularly exciting prospect as it’s jet powered.
Have a look for opportunities to fly this plane in Somerset.
AS IF THAT WASN’T ENOUGH…
Other aircraft
We haven’t mentioned the subcategory of lightweight aircraft referred to as microlights. These come in a variety of shapes and designs, from those that are almost indistinguishable from aeroplanes at a glance to others that look more like hang gliders with go-karts suspended beneath. There are also gliders, some of which have motors to allow them to take off under their own steam before they etner unpowered flight. Then we come to gyroplanes, curious hybrids between planes and helicopters, and finally helicopters themselves.
Simulation
What about fighter planes, jumbo jets and military aircraft? We can’t promise you the keys to the ignition, but we do work with some flight simulation companies, like this one in Tyne and Wear, that have the technology to mimic the experience of piloting famous aircraft like these and more. The best thing about this option is that there’s no danger of your flight being cancelled due to bad weather!
