As a foreigner who has retired and is now living in Provence, one gets to enjoy all that the South of France has to offer in the way of climate, relaxed living, wonderful countryside etc. but I was looking for a new challenge, and certainly found one in signing up with Pegasus France. I had thought about the usual pursuits like, golf etc. but felt an element of excitement was lacking, and wanted to try something that even my kids would think was cool. I spent many hours looking on the Internet for a realistic challenge, one that would not be too expensive or take up too much time and decided on flying. The usual light aircraft did not do much to excite me, and also worked out quite expensive, but to fly a shopping trolley with an engine and hang glider attached not only seemed more fun, but also worked out cheaper than the more sedate Cessna/Piper etc.
As shopping trolleys go, the Pegasus Quantum is right up there with the Rolls Royce’s of flex-wing microlights, so much so that after obtaining my pilots licence, I went out and purchased a model almost identical to the one I was taught in. On first sight, a flex-wing does look rather strange, and the thought of flying one seems alien, but the proof of the pudding…..
On arrival at Tallard (about an hour away up the motorway from the Luberon), I met with Simon my instructor, and very soon realised that an easy and relaxed atmosphere is the way to go in microlighting. After an initial look at the flex-wing, he took me through some basic flight safety points, and then said lets go flying. Being one who was never very keen on classrooms or a lot of study, I was pleasantly surprised that this is a 100% active course, and within five minutes of being airborne, I was actually flying it myself, albeit under Simon’s watchful eye. Three hours of actual flying a day is what is realistic, two 90 minute stinks, with a coffee and discussion in-between. The first week went in a flash, and I quickly rebooked another session two weeks later to keep the momentum going. This took in the first solo flight, that may sound simple, but any pilot will tell you that this is the most exciting stage, and everything that follows is polishing up on it. At all times, the countryside that you are flying over is stunning, one day it is a lake, and another is a mountain range, that always seem to have a well placed strip to land at and have another coffee. Some French ex-pat residents stay at the local hotel, which is reasonable and friendly. Others close enough like myself enjoyed the daily drive, and as Tallard is just at the end of the motorway the journey is surprisingly fast.
Third session, and at the end the GFS test (General Flying Skills) with Marcus and then the skies the limit. Simon was remarkably patient, and at no stage did I either feel that he was going too fast, or more importantly to the pocket, taking too long to get to the next exercise. The thought of the written exams was somewhat worrying when one has been out of the classroom for many years, but they are all multiple choice, and also not rocket science. I even enjoyed learning about the weather, and will never look at another cloud without trying to name it.
All in all, the experience was quicker, more fun, and less official than I expected. I started it on a whim, and now have my own machine, am flying weekly and completely hooked. Well done Simon and Pegasus.
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