Microlighting in the Algarve

Ok guys I'm not a fly boy but I reckon if you got to try sell something then you have to know what it feels like. So our good friend Cara from Ireland happened to come acroos 2 tickets to the sky, 1 being my birthday present.

These things were so tiny, you just wheeled them out the hangar by hand. They literally are hang gliders with a small propeller attached.

Cara's pilot was the 'Grandaddy' of Microlighting itself - Gerry Breen.
I had a very nice chap by the name of Nick.
A quick safety check and we were ready to fly!!!
The take off was surprisingly fast and we were airbourne in to time. First was a view over Lagos and Luz which are rapidly becoming one town as are Luz and Burgau. There was a bit of swell about with Porto do Mos beach and Rocha Negra both firing.

We flew past a few secret spots and how bad would it be if every tourist did this on a good day eh? You would know all our spots???? Anyway over Zavial we flew, I spotted a few divers out to sea as well and as we came closer to Sagres I even discovered a few beaches I had never been to.

Sagres was great we saw the ancient rose line compasses at both the fort and lighthouse and Nick's history lesson was consistent with the rumours I had heard of dodgy property owners who had sold plots of land more than once to different purchasers - so potential investors BEWARE!!

The return route was slightly marred by massive cloud cover (dont worry guys, we did go in February and generally clouds don't exist in the Algarve - rare comodity!) I did however get to fly the Microlight - real finger tip stuff, but I was actually enjoying the view more.

Next came the 'Lets throw this puppy around a bit' holy cow! we did a safety check to make sure there were no concorde's coming (They still got those!?) then banked sharply right and followed it up with a sharp left. I felt really heavy headed and I had a miniscule glimpse of what jet pilots must feel like going Mach whatever.

Following this was the question I was burning to ask. What happens when you turn the little propeller off?'
So we did it. All was silent just the rushing of wind in our ears. Nick radioed down we did another bank, and I another poo. As we got lower the turbulence picked up and at one stage the ground was getting so large I thought we would land sideways - but Nick's fancy fingertip work landed us in a matter of seconds. i had noticed that Cara's Microlight had landed off-road and wondered if her knickers were dirty as well.

Safely on terra firma we recieved our certificates, stickers and a few other bits and bobs and swiftly departed as a dentist appointment loomed for Cara.

So guys, very much recommended this Microlighting thing. You have options for different length journeys, ours was just over an hour but seemed a lot quicker.

Give me a shout if you need any other info!!

Laters

Sebastian