Life & Style | Leisure
The speed is incredible and it picks up in an instant.
Some get a high from the buzz of shopping, the excitement of the sales or the rough and tumble of the acrobats and artists. But others demand more and quite literally take to the skies to get high.
- Kelly Crane, Staff Writer
- Published: 01:26 February 17, 2008
- Kelly Crane goes up, up and away to see Dubai from above.
- Image Credit: Karl Jeffs/Gulf News
Some get a high from the buzz of shopping, the excitement of the sales or the rough and tumble of the acrobats and artists. But others demand more and quite literally take to the skies to get high.
The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) prides itself on having something for everyone and this year the team has definitely kept its word.
Not content with bungee jumping over the Creek or offering acrobat training classes, you can now take to the skies with Mashreq Sky Adventures.
A signature event, the DSF team has flown in a 15-strong team from Hungary to fly visitors and residents over the city and enjoy the sights from the skies.
I could feel my heart beating in my chest once again, as I looked suspiciously at the small, rather strange-looking craft which apparently was just about to take me around 500m up.
I donned the flight jacket and helmet and was strapped in safely by a capable team, who checked and double checked my seatbelt (I triple-checked).
Incredible
The speed is incredible and it picks up in an instant. Before you know it you are heading up towards the clouds with the ground falling away behind.
It's an amazing feeling when it hits you that you are basically sitting on a small, padded seat, 500m above the ground with nothing but a seatbelt keeping you in. You can reach out and touch the air — you are quite literally in the sky.
The views over Dubai are just as intense and it's a wonderful opportunity to see the place we live in from the air.
Captain Laszlo Toth explained the route passengers would expect to follow.
A former commercial pilot with thousands of flying hours under his belt, he said: "We will take off from the Nad Al Sheba runway and then head for the Ras Al Khor Nature Reserve. Then, the trip will follow to the Creek down to the Maktoum Bridge before heading back along the same route.
It will allow people to spot all the important landmarks along the popular Creek roads. Buildings and famous spots always look so different from the air rather than on the ground." Landing was a bit of a white-knuckle experience as you see the ground approaching at break-neck speed.
However, as scary as it gets, you always feel like you're in safe hands. The pilots are clearly extremely experienced and take the safety elements of each flight very seriously.
I felt myself grip the seat tighter and tighter as we neared the bumpy runway and then it was touch-down. The brakes were applied and in a matter of minutes we were at a comfortable standstill once again. Brilliant.
Enjoy the view
The microlight flight is definitely for everyone. The dare devils do the sky dives and bungee jumps but once you get over the initial apprehension you realise that microlighting is a very comfortable and enjoyable experience which you can almost relax into and simply enjoy the view.
We talked Laszlo about the leisure sport, to put your mind at rest.
What is a microlight?
It's a powered aircraft built within particular specifications which state the maximum weight must be not more than 450 kilograms for a two-seat aircraft and 300 kilograms for a single-seat aircraft. The maximum wing loading must be 25 kilograms per square metre or able to sustain flight at a minimum speed of 60kph or less. There must also be a fuel capacity to allow at least one hour duration at maximum fuel consumption rate.
What engines do microlights use?
Because microlights are restricted to a maximum weight, most aircraft use lightweight two-stroke petrol engines. Two-seat aircraft usually have engines which produce between 40 and 80 horse power.
What fuel do they use?
Most microlights have petrol engines which will run on unleaded petrol from a garage.
How much does one cost?
New two-seat microlights range in price from £10,000 to £40,000 (Dh72,356 to 289,443) depending upon the type and equipment fitted. Second- hand microlights cost from about £3,000 upwards.
How fast do they fly?
Most microlights fly at speeds between 40 and 60mph. Some of the newer designs of fixed-wing microlights however can fly much faster — up to 150mph.
How far can they fly?
The range of a microlight varies from model to model. A normal range for a flexwing is 160 miles in still air, no wind, and most fixed wing microlights are slightly less. Some of the newer designs of fixed wing microlight have a greater range, some claim up to 1,000 miles.
Do they have radio to talk to air traffic services?
Radio is not mandatory on any aircraft flying outside of controlled airspace. Many microlights do carry a radio for communication with ground stations.
Do you have to fly from an airfield?
No, you can fly from any suitable land area with the permission of the owner provided that there is no planning restraint to prevent this use and, if there is any controlled airspace above the land, you have permission of the controllers of that airspace.
About the event
Mashreq Sky Adventures is open from 9am to 5.30pm daily until February 24 and costs Dh200 for a 20-minute flight.
The team will also be offering para-motor flights around Jumeirah.
Don't miss it!
For more information about the Mashreq Sky Adventures call Saad on 050 8119923.
For more about DSF visit www.mydsf.ae
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