FLYING HIGH WITH LANGLEY FLYING SCHOOL

Langley, British Columbia
by Susie Lee

These days our roads are more congested with cars and our airports are overcrowded with traveling jet setters. Imagine arranging your own flight departure and arrival time, no check-ins, no line ups, no headaches, no delays and no waiting. Langley Flying School offers that possibility with introductory flight lessons and classes throughout the year in Langley, British Columbia!

GROUND CHECK

Phil, my flight instructor, gave me a thirty minute hands-on ground lesson. We completed a safety pre-flight inspection of the Piper Cherokee plane. It was a four-seater, single engine plane that had one door on the co-pilot's side. The wing span was 35 feet and the length of the plane was 23 feet. This plane can travel up to1300 kilometers on a tank of 182 liters of fuel. It consumes about 23–30 liters of fuel per hour. After we finished inspecting the body of the plane, we were ready to go up in the air.

FLYING HIGH

Throughout my lesson, Phil gave me helpful instructions, positive feedback and full confidence to fly the plane. While on the runway, I had to break the habit of steering the wheel to control the direction of the plane since the rudder foot pedals actually controls the direction of the plane. When we received clearance for take off from the tower, Phil accelerated the plane and we gently lifted into the air.

In the distance I saw one of British Columbia's largest provincial parks, Golden Ears. As we got closer, I was in silent awe, gazing on the mountain range’s grandeur. I was looking down over 50,000 hectares of untouched wilderness of western red cedar, Douglas fir, and western hemlock trees. The complete freedom and control I had in the plane was an indescribable feeling! We cruised at the altitude of over 5500 feet above Alouette Lake, a slender body of water weaving through the alpine landscape.

Phil guided and trusted me to fly independently most of the time. To control the plane, I pushed the steering wheel away from me when I wanted to pull the plane's nose down and I would pull the steering wheel towards me when I wanted to pull the plane's nose up. Occasionally, I took my hands of the steering column and took pictures of lakes nestled in the forested mountain tops and of sharp jagged rock faces. Being in a smaller plane does have its advantage of being able to get a closer view of the scenery compared to commercial aircrafts.

As the sun was setting in the horizon, we headed south towards the ocean. We flew at the maximum speed of 200 kilometers per hour (135 miles per hour) as we headed towards the city of White Rock, a seaside community with sandy beaches in the shallow waters of Semiahmoo Bay. Phil was in constant communication with the dispatchers on the radio letting them know our location. The city lights began to sparkle and the street lamps came on. The ocean looked glassy against the sunset and it was time to head back before it got dark.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Before this experience, I never dreamed of being able to actually pilot an aircraft without any prior experience. Thanks to the Langley Flying School, I got to fly an expensive aircraft that costs nearly three-hundred thousand dollars. The best part about this adventure is that for less than a hundred dollars anyone can experience this adventure as well. At the time of the filming of this adventure, it only cost a total of 80 dollars for an introductory flight lesson. Once you get a taste of the rush and freedom you get from piloting your own aircraft, like me, I guarantee that you’ll definitely want to come back for more.

FUN FACTS

In 1903, the brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright were the first to invent and successful fly a powered and piloted aircraft. Orville Wright flew an aircraft for 12 seconds in the first sustained flight in history.

ADVENTURE TIPS

The Langley Flying School offers many different services. They offer introductory lessons and offer training courses for people who want to become pilots. You could also just book an aircraft for your personal sight seeing for very reasonable rates. Check out the website listed below.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Langley Flying School, Inc.
Hangar 4B, Langley Airport
5333-216 Street,
Langley, British Columbia,
Toll-free in Canada: 1-877-532-6461
Telephone: (604) 532-6461
www.langleyflyingschool.com

+ Part 1: POLAR BEAR SWIM
+ Part 2: BIRD SANCTUARY
+ Part 3: MEADOW MAZE
+ Part 4: MUSEUM OF FLIGHT
+ Part 5: FLYING SCHOOL

+ Download PDF One-sheet
+ Langley Flying School, Inc.