Microlight flight

For my 40th birthday earlier this year i was given a voucher for a one hour microlight flight with Fly NI near Portadown. I eventually got organised to do this on Thursday past and hit it really lucky with the weather, the winds died down and the sun came out as my take off time of 6pm approached. The microlight is a small 2 person thing that didnt fill me with confidence when i saw it sitting waiting on me! Flight overalls on and i was soon being strapped into the back seat with the pilot in front.
The takeoff was bumpy and it feels worse when you are on small wheels down a bumpy field with your backside so close to the ground. We got up and climbed while heading for the south shore of Lough Neagh and from there headed up the west side of the lough before turning round and following the River Blackwater up stream towards Moy and circling round over my own house and then heading back for Portadown. We couldnt fly as low as i would have liked but i still got a few photos. Everything looks really flat from up there too. The landing was probably worse than the take off, the microlight seemed really wobbly coming in and we seemed to be very close to the river .
Overall it was a great experience and i would recommend it to anyone.

A few photos

Me almost ready for take off

Me behind and the pilot in front

Us up in the air

Our route mapped on Viewranger

Looking south from the edge of Lough Neagh

The old WW2 runway near Coagh and Lough Neaghz

Looking west to the Sperrins in the distance

the River Blackwater running towards Lough Neagh

The Argory just right of center and the River Blackwater where Dowser was canoeing recently!

Our house and also my mum’s and brother’s houses are in here somewhere

Peatlands Park just left of center and Lough Neagh

Crop Circles

Farming from above

The River Bann and the M1 with Lough Neagh behind

The River Bann running through Portadown with the Mournes away in the background

Coming in to land

Original post here. With thanks to phil_b