Have you ever looked up to see a hot air balloon drifting silently overhead? With this experience it'll be you in the basket of the balloon, looking down. First, with your 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 you'll climb into the basket ready for launching. You'll fly at heights of up to 5,000 feet, enjoying beautiful views of the countryside below, and 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 a celebratory glass of champagne (or a soft drink) and being driven back to the launch site (who knows where you'll land? - you can't steer balloons!). You'll be presented with a commemorative flight certificate, and some centres also offer the chance to purchase an in-flight photo.
£ 195.00
Customer Reviews
Feel like writing your own review?
Write your review in the following area. Please do not write abusive language since your posts will be moderated for acceptance.
Chocks away old boy! Toodle-pip! Aviation was once about freedom and adventure (as well as fantastic sheepskin jackets and great goggles). And with this experience you'll recreate the pure pleasure of vintage flight. After a short pre-flight briefing, don a Biggles-style flying jacket before climbing into the cockpit of a vintage De Havilland Tiger Moth or 1930s Stampe SV4. The Tiger Moth is the quintessential English biplane, with the Stampe being the Belgian equivalent and all models have been lovingly restored. Feel the rush of the wind from the open cockpit and enjoy sectacular views as your pilot puts the plane through a series of exciting manoeuvres (subject to weather conditions and at the pilot's discretion). You'll also have the opportunity to take the controls yourself and discover the sensation that has made generations of flyers fall in love with these lively little planes. Back on terra firma, some venues even include a flight certificate for you to take home.
Even with little or no flying experience, you can take to the skies and join in this ultimate air race. Kick off with a thorough briefing and a practise flight, where you learn to fly the cutting edge Extra 300 race plane (as used in the Red Bull Air Race event) including tight corners. Enjoy a snack lunch with your pilot and talk tactics as you prepare for the big race. Start by diving down to low levels at speeds in excess of 200mph, select 'smoke on' and storm across the start. Then pass through a series of simulated gates at high speed either with wings exactly level, or at 90 degrees - in 'knife-edge' flight! No matter what your previous experience, YOU will fly the aeroplane, with an experienced aerobatic and ex-military instructor with you to make sure that it is safe. Once all the competitors have taken their individual turns, it's fingernail biting time as you await the results. Have you been the fastest of the day? A results certificate signed by your pilot is yours to keep.
Can't decide between flying, driving and sightseeing? Try all three at the Imperial War Museum Duxford. Your experience begins with a briefing in the control tower, then don a flight jacket for a flying lesson in a genuine De Havilland Tiger Moth, the quintessential English biplane, and discover why generations of flyers have fallen in love with these spunky little planes. Back on solid ground, pose for a picture with the Tiger Moth, before hitting Duxford's military testing ground for a driving lesson in an armoured personnel carrier. After a buffet lunch back at the tower, let someone else do the driving on a flight over Cambridge in a De Havilland Dragon Rapide, recreating the early years of passenger air travel and enjoying unrivalled views over the Fens and the city. Then get a short, private guided tour of Duxford's aircraft collection, including Spitfires, a B17 and the prototype Concorde. You'll finish with a champagne toast and a certificate presentation.
Have you ever looked up to see a hot air balloon drifting silently overhead? With this experience it'll be you in the basket of the balloon, looking down. First you'll meet your pilot and get a flight safety briefing, before helping to prepare and inflate the balloon. Then you'll climb into the basket - just you two and your pilot - ready for launching. You'll fly at heights of up to 5,000 feet, enjoying 360 degree beautiful views as the countryside awakes, and 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 a celebratory glass of champagne (or a soft drink). Then you'll be driven back to the launch site. You'll be presented with a commemorative flight certificate, and some centres also offer the chance to purchase an in-flight photo.
