Yesterday saw me attend my second Flight Night with Paul Capsey at Airkix in MK.
I drove through torrential rain to get to MK last night and at one point I wondered if I was going to make it on time at all. The rain caused a lot of additional traffic and made driving conditions pretty difficult. I did make it though and I'm once again so glad I did!
While I waited patiently for Paul, I expected to see the familiar faces of the others from my last Flight Night, but there was no sign. Paul arrived and I think he was looking for the familiar faces as well, he spotted me and the others who were waiting though and came over. He asked how I got on with my flight on the 10th and I smiled and said I'd been back twice since the last flight night and explained all that I has achieved so far.
We moved into the briefing room (me and the other 2 flight night attendees that were on time) and discussed where everyone was at with their flying. It turned out that the other 2 had only flown once before and that was over 18 months ago! Poor Paul was going to have his work cut out. As it had been so long since the other 2 had flown, they opted to watch the training video again. I stepped out side, shortly followed by Paul to discuss what my aims were for today.
I think after I mentioned I'd been back twice since the last Flight Night, Paul realised I was serious about progressing. His first question was where did I want my flying to go in the future? I thought for a split second before blurting out that I wanted to eventually become an instructor. I really wasn't sure what sort of reaction this would get and it seemed like forever before he replied, "brilliant!" This put a smile on my face straight away.Paul was very encouraging about my goal and as such tailored my flights to suit. We decided for the first 2.5mins to carry on with my over and unders, flying in each others air and that for the other 2.5mins I would try to walk in the tunnel. This was to give me a taste of what the instructors do when they're helping us to fly. This meant skipping a few steps according to the IBA (international bodyflight association) but would give me the chance to see what it was like.
While we were in discussions the other 3 people for Flight Night turned up - better late than never I guess!
We were soon all getting suited and booted ready for our flights! We headed up to the tunnel and just ran through what we were all going to do and before long we were in the tunnel ready to fly.I was 3rd to go today and had great fun just watching the first two fly. Believe it or not you can learn so much by just watching others. My turn came and I jumped into the tunnel, I seem to have this off to a fine art now, well at least it's getting better! Paul was flying with me and I eventually got to grips with going under and over, this still needs some work though but practice makes perfect. The feeling of flying in the tunnel with someone else was great, keeping track of where the other person is though takes a fair bit of concentration. I didn't want to fall on Paul or crash into him. Next time I think I will have a better idea of what the idea is and I can improve on this a bit more.
Flight Night Flight 1 video
After watching the other flyers it was my turn again, this time I was to walk into the tunnel, this was something I hadn't done before so I cautiously stepped through the door. I was trying to remember all that Paul had said about body position and how to move my legs. The instructors make it look so easy but it's really not! I don't think I did bad for a first timer... but there 's always room for improvement! I can't wait to have another go at this next time!
Flight Night Flight 2 Video
5 minutes of flight time goes by so quickly!
After the de-brief we headed back down to take all our kit off (that sounds wrong I'm sure!) Paul took the time to explain to me about being an instructor and that it was also a great way to progress with the bodyflying. He also pointed out that I would be one of only 3 Lady instructors in this country! What an achievement if I can pull it off! I still have a lot of hard work to do, but hopefully it will all be worth it in the end. Until then I can keep enjoying the flying that I'm doing and look forward to when the next flight will be!
I look forward to keeping everyone who takes the time to read this informed with how I'm getting on.
x
I drove through torrential rain to get to MK last night and at one point I wondered if I was going to make it on time at all. The rain caused a lot of additional traffic and made driving conditions pretty difficult. I did make it though and I'm once again so glad I did!
While I waited patiently for Paul, I expected to see the familiar faces of the others from my last Flight Night, but there was no sign. Paul arrived and I think he was looking for the familiar faces as well, he spotted me and the others who were waiting though and came over. He asked how I got on with my flight on the 10th and I smiled and said I'd been back twice since the last flight night and explained all that I has achieved so far.
We moved into the briefing room (me and the other 2 flight night attendees that were on time) and discussed where everyone was at with their flying. It turned out that the other 2 had only flown once before and that was over 18 months ago! Poor Paul was going to have his work cut out. As it had been so long since the other 2 had flown, they opted to watch the training video again. I stepped out side, shortly followed by Paul to discuss what my aims were for today.
I think after I mentioned I'd been back twice since the last Flight Night, Paul realised I was serious about progressing. His first question was where did I want my flying to go in the future? I thought for a split second before blurting out that I wanted to eventually become an instructor. I really wasn't sure what sort of reaction this would get and it seemed like forever before he replied, "brilliant!" This put a smile on my face straight away.Paul was very encouraging about my goal and as such tailored my flights to suit. We decided for the first 2.5mins to carry on with my over and unders, flying in each others air and that for the other 2.5mins I would try to walk in the tunnel. This was to give me a taste of what the instructors do when they're helping us to fly. This meant skipping a few steps according to the IBA (international bodyflight association) but would give me the chance to see what it was like.
While we were in discussions the other 3 people for Flight Night turned up - better late than never I guess!
We were soon all getting suited and booted ready for our flights! We headed up to the tunnel and just ran through what we were all going to do and before long we were in the tunnel ready to fly.I was 3rd to go today and had great fun just watching the first two fly. Believe it or not you can learn so much by just watching others. My turn came and I jumped into the tunnel, I seem to have this off to a fine art now, well at least it's getting better! Paul was flying with me and I eventually got to grips with going under and over, this still needs some work though but practice makes perfect. The feeling of flying in the tunnel with someone else was great, keeping track of where the other person is though takes a fair bit of concentration. I didn't want to fall on Paul or crash into him. Next time I think I will have a better idea of what the idea is and I can improve on this a bit more.
Flight Night Flight 1 video
After watching the other flyers it was my turn again, this time I was to walk into the tunnel, this was something I hadn't done before so I cautiously stepped through the door. I was trying to remember all that Paul had said about body position and how to move my legs. The instructors make it look so easy but it's really not! I don't think I did bad for a first timer... but there 's always room for improvement! I can't wait to have another go at this next time!
Flight Night Flight 2 Video
5 minutes of flight time goes by so quickly!
After the de-brief we headed back down to take all our kit off (that sounds wrong I'm sure!) Paul took the time to explain to me about being an instructor and that it was also a great way to progress with the bodyflying. He also pointed out that I would be one of only 3 Lady instructors in this country! What an achievement if I can pull it off! I still have a lot of hard work to do, but hopefully it will all be worth it in the end. Until then I can keep enjoying the flying that I'm doing and look forward to when the next flight will be!
I look forward to keeping everyone who takes the time to read this informed with how I'm getting on.
x
Good luck Stacey, -great ambition!
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