Zooming through the clouds in a flying lawn mower is not for the fainthearted. The fact that you do not need an official licence to fly a microlight aircraft only adds to the truly liberating feel of being in one. Jump in, start her up and within minutes you really are free as a bird. Taken over Umm Al Quwain from a private aircraft by fearless Al Shindagah lensman Plamen Galabov, these pictures show the beauty of the UAE's landscape from a unique viewpoint. "Just before take-off the pilot jumped out and ran along the runway searching for a bolt that fell off during his last landing. I sat back and hoped for the best." Plamen's trip was with a private enthusiast, but if you would like to try this exhilarating sport for yourself the Umm Al Quwain Flying Club can help. The club is home to around thirty microlighting enthusiasts, all of whom enjoy flying these little machines at speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour. "The sensation varies depending on your altitude. At 200 feet you really feel the speed rush whereas 150 kilometres per hour at 10,000 feet and you could almost be standing still,"said club spokesman Colonel Hussain Al Moalla. For 150 dirhams, members of the public can ride in a two or four seater microlight for half an hour. Courses are available at 300 dirhams per hour. The microlight is powered by engines with 600cc to 1200cc capacity and weigh about 450 kilograms. The cost varies from Dh 25,000 for a second hand model to Dhs 70,000 for a new machine. And you fly with a parachute on. Call club secretary Hani on +971-50-646-1266 for more details.
Zooming through the clouds in a flying lawn mower is not for the fainthearted. The fact that you do not need an official licence to fly a microlight aircraft only adds to the truly liberating feel of being in one. Jump in, start her up and within minutes you really are free as a bird. Taken over Umm Al Quwain from a private aircraft by fearless Al Shindagah lensman Plamen Galabov, these pictures show the beauty of the UAE's landscape from a unique viewpoint. "Just before take-off the pilot jumped out and ran along the runway searching for a bolt that fell off during his last landing. I sat back and hoped for the best." Plamen's trip was with a private enthusiast, but if you would like to try this exhilarating sport for yourself the Umm Al Quwain Flying Club can help. The club is home to around thirty microlighting enthusiasts, all of whom enjoy flying these little machines at speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour. "The sensation varies depending on your altitude. At 200 feet you really feel the speed rush whereas 150 kilometres per hour at 10,000 feet and you could almost be standing still,"said club spokesman Colonel Hussain Al Moalla. For 150 dirhams, members of the public can ride in a two or four seater microlight for half an hour. Courses are available at 300 dirhams per hour. The microlight is powered by engines with 600cc to 1200cc capacity and weigh about 450 kilograms. The cost varies from Dh 25,000 for a second hand model to Dhs 70,000 for a new machine. And you fly with a parachute on. Call club secretary Hani on +971-50-646-1266 for more details.