While I’ve all the time loved business flights, the considered experiencing a lightweight plane has all the time crammed me with nerves! Massive planes with tons of of passengers sound nice, however when Adam first talked about that the group and I might get to hop on board with Cirrus, I wasn’t precisely wanting ahead to it.

Written by: James Duce

We met Michael Wright, Managing Director of Cirrus UK, and Callum Smith, New Plane Gross sales Supervisor at Gamston Airport to firstly discover out extra in regards to the firm. Michael defined that Cirrus presents a collection of new and pre-owned plane in addition to flight coaching for all expertise ranges. Basically, if I had the means, I may buy considered one of their SR22s for instance and study to fly it from anyplace on the planet!

It was the SR22 that Callum and Michael have been taking us out in, and after gaining some information on the historical past of Cirrus and their visions for the longer term, we cut up into a few teams and headed in direction of our aircraft. Michael really requested if any of us felt nervous and funnily sufficient I used to be the one individual to confess that I did. To which he responded, “Effectively you possibly can fly us then”, which I suppose on the time I deemed a joke!

It’s secure to say the group have been impressed as we had our first look across the SR22. It appeared spectacular and having climbed our manner in, we have been met with an extremely luxurious inside. Assume Rolls Royce consolation however with an unlimited array of know-how, all to be defined and demonstrated by Michael sooner or later.

Talking of which, I sat up entrance, at this level nonetheless oblivious to the actual fact I might really be trusted to take management. Michael gave us a fast run-through of the start-up process with all the required checks listed on a display screen in entrance of us. Headsets now on, we requested permission to take off and I’d be mendacity if I mentioned I didn’t really feel like Tom Cruise now. Edging our manner onto the runway was fairly surreal; I politely declined to take the helm for takeoff however started to grasp that, by some means, Michael’s provide to fly it wasn’t in jest.

On the idea that the lighter the plane, the much less secure it will be, I used to be shocked by how easily we took off and step by step ascended into the clear blue sky. Michael identified the James Bond-esque devices automating many features of our flight, together with the choice to click on on a degree on the map just for the SR22 to take us straight there with none enter from the pilot. I received the sensation that this was an extremely secure solution to journey, and if something have been to occur to the aircraft or pilot, all it is advisable to do is pull a lever for a parachute to carry you straight right down to security.

A couple of minutes into our flight, I instantly felt comfy, after which Michael requested, “So, are you able to take over?”. I’m unsure if my colleagues picked up the gulp into the microphone earlier than I replied, “Sure, I feel so!”, however certain sufficient, after holding down a button for a number of seconds, I used to be now flying the aircraft. I’m not likely certain put it into phrases, but it surely offered an unmatched sense of freedom and fuelled a somewhat sudden craving to do it once more!

Michael identified varied native landmarks as I guided us over the M1 and in direction of Belvoir Citadel. Contemplating Jake specified prematurely that he was up for something on this present day with Cirrus, “so long as James isn’t the bloody pilot!”, he appeared fairly snug sitting behind me, so I can’t have been doing too unhealthy a job! It was significantly much less advanced than I anticipated and I used to be blown away by how easy it felt all through. 45 minutes flew by and it was quickly time to land. Remarkably, Michael mentioned I may do that and it wasn’t a possibility I used to be going to show down anytime quickly. “Simply intention for the numbers”, he mentioned as we started our descent, and once more I used to be shocked by how clean it felt, contemplating its empty weight of only a contact over 1,000kg and the novice trusted to land it on this event.

While it’s all the time been on my bucket record to study to fly, my curiosity has primarily lied with 4 wheels, however this expertise has hooked me on the world of non-public aviation! My early morning nerves in a short time disappeared and I couldn’t cease smiling for the remainder of the week, wanting again at photographs and questioning whether or not or not that really occurred. I used to be left desirous to get again up there and proceed with some classes as there actually isn’t any higher solution to journey.

I’m extremely grateful to Michael and Callum for the chance. Michael was calm, supportive and beneficiant along with his time and has even supplied me one other shot at flying. Should you’re considering studying to fly with Cirrus, please do attain out to one of many group as they might be delighted to give you the same expertise in considered one of their SR collection — belief me, you received’t remorse it!

JD.