Move over Daniel Craig, there's a new James Bond in Town. Although instead of 007, I'd like my agent number to be 8008...can I do that? Yes I can, since James Bond is made up anyway, so I can change whatever the hell I want to. I haven't seen the new Bond movie yet, but I've seen most of the others and I believe myself fit and capable of taking on such a role. On top of my pre-existing secret agent skills such as ass-kicking, Force use, dry humour, and card tricks, I am now a skilled pilot. That may be exaggerating things a bit, since I am neither skilled nor a pilot, but after 30 minutes in the air at the stick of a plane, I'm at least half way there.
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Airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow? ...Well that would depend on air density at a given altitude.
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I think I also signed up for a year subscription to the Mile High Club, I wonder if it's anything like Nintendo Club. The flight was a birthday present I received for my 21st earlier in the year. The experience was booked through Red Balloon, who provided a gateway for many activities from adventure sports, to cooking classes, to spa packages. If you're interested in planes and flying, you can get joy flights in anything from a glider to a fighter jet, or actual flying lessons as well. The particular experience I got was a 30 minute flying lesson in an ultralight plane (small 2-seater). The company that runs the flight itself (not all of them, check the location and type of flying experience) is Pathfinder Aviation out at Archerfield Airport in Brisbane.
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You've never heard of the Jabiru? It's the plane that made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs...
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The plane I flew was a Jabiru, typically 4-cylinder, however I was lucky enough to get a 6-cylinder, which apparently they normally don't do lessons in: "The 4-cylinder is like learning to drive in your grandma's Corolla, while this is like learning to drive in you mate's ute." So that was pretty cool. It was like being upgraded, "You look like the kind of guy that can take a lot of power", damn straight. I was a little surprised when he said that I'd be in control for take off. So I've never flown a plane before, I've got 2 whole extra cylinders, and you want me to take off? I'd assumed that the pilot would do take off and landing, and that I'd just get a bit of a play in the air. To be fair, he did help me with the take off. It was more me feeling what he was doing, rather than controlling it myself, which was a relief, but really cool nonetheless.
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Look, no hands!!
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Once we were up in the air, I got a good feel for the controls. Using the control stick, I was allowed to roll, dive and climb. I had to pull back on a climb though, after being informed that we could only go as high as 2000 ft before entering Jetstar territory, which is never a good idea. I learnt how to do a steady 360 bank (not to be confused with a 360 roll, banking is like turning in a car, while rolling is like rolling in a car), and did some cool yawing with the rudder (like drifting in a car). After half an hour, we had to fly back to the airport. Luckily I didn't have to do the landing, but once we were back on the ground, I was allowed to 'drive' along the tarmac and park the plane (like driving and parking a car).
I have to say, it a great fun, and one of the best experiences I've had. Whether you're interested in learning how to fly and becoming a pilot, or just want to try something different, it's definitely worth it. And if you do wish to follow it up, every minute you do counts towards the hours required for a certificate or licence (which Pathfinder also offer courses for). As for me, I have another voucher for a 2nd flight. After that, I should meet the qualifications to be a pilot for Tiger.
Over and out - Chris.
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