Five Reasons Why We Love Small Aircraft
When most people think of airplanes, they think of the big jets that take them off on business trips and vacations. But even if you've got thousands of commercial airline miles under your belt, you've never really flown--unless you've been up in a small aircraft. Here are a few reasons why small planes are as different from commercial jets as night and day.
More excitement. When you're in a jet, a good flight is a smooth flight. The process is largely automatic, and while you may feel some turbulence occasionally, it's not typically severe.
In a small aircraft, however, you'll feel every thermal and every gust of wind. The experience is much more exciting. While a jet plane is supposed to be no-thrills, a small aircraft really makes you feel like you're flying.
You can see your house. You get to see some beautiful views in a jet. From miles up, you can see whole cities, mountain ranges, and towering cloud formations. There's no question that it's fascinating. But in a small aircraft, the view is much more immediate. You'll still be high, but not so high that you can't see familiar roads and buildings. Flying is much more fun when you can see familiar areas from a whole new perspective.
You get a chance to fly. If you're in a commercial aircraft, you won't get anywhere near the cockpit. Small aircraft, however, are much more informal. In most planes, you'll sit next to the pilot. You can ask questions, learn about the controls, and even fly the plane yourself. It's a hands-on flying experience like you'll never have in an airliner.
You can go where the big jets can't. To land, a commercial jet needs a long, paved runway. Small aircraft can land at major airports, but they can also land at much smaller runways and even unpaved grass strips.
If you want to visit a small town without an international airport, you may still be able to do it if they have a small local airport--and many do. Small planes are much more flexible about where they land: from grass strips to fields and even lakes and rivers, if you've got a seaplane.
You'll fly with an enthusiast. Small aircraft pilots love what they do. And for many pilots it's a hobby, not a job. An enthusiastic pilot will be delighted to talk about the plane, show you the controls, let you fly, and show you what the aircraft can do. You definitely get more out of the experience when you fly with someone who's passionate about it.
Jet airliners are perfect for taking you from point A to point B. But if you want an unforgettable flying experience, take a ride on a small airplane. In a small aircraft, you get more than just transportation: you get an adventure.