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I am interested in flying and fly occasionally from Cambridge Airport and even more occasionally from other locations. I fly Cessna 152 2-seat trainers mainly but have also flown a Great Lakes 2T-1A biplane under instruction for aerobatics, I have tried parachuting and paragliding too.
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| Video: Cessna 152 landing at Cambridge airport 2-3 main |
Video: Cessna 152 Stall Practice |
My Instructor took this picture while I was executing a roll.
I trained for a couple of parachute jumps in Ipswich, these jumps were just static-line jumps (the parachute is opened for you by a line attached to the aircraft).
The most memorable thing about this experience was the contrast between the noisiness of the aircraft (with no door on the side), compared to the sudden quiet and breathtaking view, hanging beneath a (fully inflated) canopy of ripstock nylon. Ipswich airport is now, unfortunately closed.
I had two trips to the Isle of Wight for paraglider training. A paraglider is a high aspect ratio parachute with an aerofoil cross-section - it is lighter than a parachute since it is not intended to be used to decelarate a body falling from an aircraft. It is possible to soar using a paraglider either by use of thermals or updrafts (ridge or cliff soaring).
Unlike a hanglider, a paraglider is not rigid, is light and compact enough to fit into it's own backpack for carrying, but the romatic notion of climbing a hill and flying off is not attainable since you need to have the landowners' permission at your intended landing site and you also must fly with other people in a club. You can't just go hiking with your non-flying mates and beat them back to the pub!
A paraglider is launched by inflating the canopy by pulling on the risers and using the breeze and then run (or be lifted) from the hillside.
I only got as far as top-to-bottom jumping since weather conditions are critical. I and other beginners spent a lot of time sat on the hillside waiting for the weather, while watching the experts (who live eat and breathe the sport) having fun in the air. I haven't continued with the sport because of the distance I need to travel to a suitable site, and the pot-luck of the weather once there.
This was a half hour trial lesson at Cambridge airport in G-UDAY, a Robinson R22 helicopter. Much more difficult to fly than a fixed wing aircraft, this lesson left me wanting more. I'd love to have the opportunity to master this, but the expense is prohibitive.
My most recent experience of an unusual aircraft was this hot air balloon flight with Virgin balloons over Cambridgeshire. Like the parachute descent, the silence is striking, though the burner is deafening and you can feel the heat on the back of your neck. Not the most practical way to fly but certainly a pleasurable one.
