| It's incredible to think that the aeroplane is barely | | | | high quality radios and navigation equipment, in |
| a century old, there are even people still living that | | | | particular the now ubiquitous GPS. |
| remember the very first real flights, and yet, | | | | Sport aviation is growing in popularity. Paragliders, |
| what we have achieved hardly bears thinking | | | | even motorised that you can take with you in the |
| about. The Wright brothers first powered flight | | | | boot of a small car. Aerobatic aircraft that |
| was less than the length of a Jumbo jet. Now, we | | | | perform stunts previously thought impossible, like |
| are building space stations and making regular | | | | tail slides and safe spins. Microlights, which put the |
| flights to maintain them. Flying in a large jet has | | | | operation of a small aircraft into the hands of the |
| become so routine that we don't think twice | | | | average person and kit built planes allowing the |
| about popping off for a couple of weeks across | | | | owner, with patience and determination to acquire |
| vast oceans. The latest achievement by Swiss | | | | a possession like no other. |
| pilot Yves Rossy who has just successfully | | | | The way many people afford to fly, is by joint |
| completed a flight across the English channel with | | | | ownership. Joining a syndicate and perhaps paying |
| just a pair of wings and four micro jets is | | | | on a per flying hour basis. Having several shares in |
| remarkable. | | | | a plane helps to cover the overall expenses. If |
| This may be the most extreme example, but | | | | you just want to try flying or fly very |
| FLYING IS NOW OPEN TO EVERYONE - sport | | | | occasionally, there are many companies offering |
| aviation is a rapidly growing branch of aviation and | | | | trial flights, or experience days, from a romantic |
| is bringing the possibility of flying within the means | | | | evening sunset champagne balloon flight to an |
| of us all. | | | | exhilarating session in an aerobatic ex-warbird. |
| One reason for the rapid advancement of the | | | | The very latest offering by a company called |
| sport is the availability of modern materials which | | | | Space adventures is literally out-of-this-world with |
| have essential properties of light weight and | | | | the possibility of taking a trip as a civilian into |
| strength. Early pioneers had to make do with | | | | space. OK, it comes at a premium price, but it has |
| less-than-perfect wood and doped canvas, but | | | | now happened. A civilian, game developer Richard |
| now we have carbon fibre, glass fibre, aluminium, | | | | Garriott has just recently paid for a trip to the |
| polymer cloth all help to build aircraft with the | | | | international space station, at a reported cost of |
| optimum power to weight ratios. Engine | | | | more than $30 million. If you are not yet ready to |
| advancements also contribute with modern | | | | go into space for financial or other reasons, you |
| lightweight efficient and reliable units delivering | | | | can try a zero gravity flight or spaceflight training |
| amazing power for their size. Modern electronics | | | | in a buoyancy tank, or go for a sub orbital flight |
| also aid us in the safe operation of aircraft with | | | | for a mere $102,000. |