It’s always been my dream to fly, but not just in an enclosed aircraft like airplanes (to hop on a spaceship sounds like a dream, though :P). To actually fly like how birds do, of how they glide in the sky, play in the clouds and feel the wind on their faces; THAT— my friends is what I’m talking about :)

Obviously, I don’t have wings to fly so the closest thing to real flying are probably through skydiving and ultralight flying. (I am yet to research more on this :P). Anyway, first let’s talk about my super SUUUUUPERRRRR exciting experience on UltraLight flying. (I’ll do skydiving hopefully soon enough. Watch out for that. ;P)

On Saturday, September 21, I checked yet another one off of my bucket list. Yay! We surfed the sky! How exciting is that! :) As Pacific Blue Air puts it: 

Voted "One of the most fun things to do in Los Angeles". The experience of flying in a Revo Light Sport Aircraft is unlike any other. 

Ultralight aviation or microlight (for those who haven’t heard or know about it yet), basically, is flying (in) a mini, lightweight aircraft. This is usually a one to two-seater aircraft. 

Max, my pilot and trainer, who is a certified flight instructor and aircraft pilot himself, said that the Revo, although categorically considered as an Ultralight aircraft, is actually heavier and more stable in general. Revo, to address it properly, is a Light Sport Aircraft. Analogically, it’s the revo in the sky as to motorcycle on the roads.

THE REVO

According to their site: “A Light Sport Aircraft designed and manufactured in the USA leaving no compromises when it comes to safety, comfort, performance and agile handling.”

Glide Ratio

Because our high performance wings are designed to glide, if a problem with the legendary Rotax engine ever did arise, our planes could easily sail down to safety with their impressive 10 to 1 glide ratio. 

Added Safety

In addition, each aircraft is equipped with a ballistic-deployed parachute that could simply float the entire aircraft down to a safe landing.  They are also equipped with a GPS based, emergency location transmitter and transponder.”

In addition, they also don’t allow for the sky surfers (that’s us) to bring camera or other loose articles during the flight. This is observed as a safety hazard that should be taken very seriously as well. 

PRE-FLIGHT

Pacific Blue Air, like any other sporting company, lets you sign a waiver before you hop in and fly. This protects the company if anything should happen. (But the aircraft is, without a doubt, very safe.) And then Max gave us a little orientation and introduction on what to expect while showing us a footage of an actual flight. There might be turbulence and other air disturbances that can be encountered. But these are very much under control. The pilots were very experience and trained. He also talked about his experiences about learning how to fly, his travels via the mini air crafts and much more.

My friends and I are really excited. (Probably, also a little nervous).

L-R: Myself, Rea and Doc

Max was the only pilot available on that day, so the plan was, we’ll fly the revo, one after the other. Rea went first, I followed and Doc went last.

                Interlude: While waiting, Doc and I went ahead and tried the electric scooter that Courtney (part-owner of the Pacific Blue Air) gladly lent us. She was so nice and very accommodating.

So we were enjoying the ride. I did fine at first. I felt the cool wind caressing my face. Doc was taking a video of me. I felt so comfortable and arrogant at the same time that I decided to show off by controlling it with one hand and waving my other hand to the camera. And before I did it, not even halfway through, I suddenly stumbled and fall haha! As shown in the vid :P 
I got multiple wounds and bruises. Courtney immediately took care of my wounds, cleaned and covered them. She said, they hadn’t ever needed the first aid kit until then. Haha (which is a good thing, though :P) So yeah, I got involved in a minor accident (entirely my fault, and partially Doc’s hahaha) even before I started to experience the flight.

THE TAKE OFF

So then, Max started the engine and we were taxiing ready for take off; then the microphone suddenly worked like nothing happened. I was so relieved. I still didn’t know what happened but I felt secured.

THE FLIGHT

Up up and away!!! :) And we flew, higher and higher in the sky. Wooohoooo! It was sooooo surreal! Suddenly, it feels like everything is light. (I don't know what I'm talking about, really:P)

Be free like a bird! Fly high and higher! Wooohooo! What a feeling!

Can't you tell how much I'm enjoying it here? Honestly, I can't describe it!!! You guys should definitely try it!!! :D

I saw almost all of the SoCal! Unbelievable sights! :D

I saw the roads, the beaches around it, the houses, the trees, the people as small as ants. For a moment, I forgot all of the worries and anxiety.