Ben learns the ropes.
Take the controls.
You'll be flying high after this trip. Jump in the cockpit and take off for some hands-on in-flight action just hours from Sydney.
A lot of people have never been able to pursue their desire to fly an aeroplane because of the enormous costs of taking lessons.
If you are one of those frustrated aviators, a visit to Port Aero Transport and Training at the Port Macquarie Airfield is an affordable treat. You can sit in the pilot's seat of an aeroplane and operate the controls under the supervision of the fully qualified pilot sitting next to you.
Darren McGilvary started in the flying business 15 years ago and began taking people on the half-hour flights in 1999.
All the flight controls are duplicated and the operation is, of course, approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which has categorised these lessons as Trial Instructional Flights.
Before getting into the aircraft you will be given a briefing and a walk around the aircraft. Once inside you will have a run through the controls and their functions, as well as other instructions, followed by a question and answer session.
If you decide you want to take off and/or land the aeroplane, the pilot will take you through those procedures, as landings can be a little hairy. However, no-one has ever been injured and no disasters have occurred.
Early mornings or early afternoons are the best times to take your flight as the light is very good.
