Infrequent Flyer

A microlite, for those not in the know, is a small, ultralight aircraft that can accommodate two flyers. Powered by a single Rotax engine fitted between the aircraft’s wings (they used to have lawn mower motors earlier) and a propeller, its cockpit area is partly covered. “The controls are the same as any aircraft. If you can fly this, you can fly a jumbo jet,’’ said Thapar. My restlessness was apparent and, taking note, Thapar decided the time was right for taking to the skies.

The take-off was a smooth affair, though my palms were wet with nervous perspiration. In a jiffy we were up, coasting above a flock of spotless white cranes. A couple of villagers below went about life nonchalantly, after a cursory wave at us. I didn’t return the courtesy, since my hands were tightly gripping the seat. It was an uneventful hover and I felt that my host was holding himself back. “This was nice, but hey, I’ve bungee-jumped from 160 feet,” I told him, trying to impress.

That did the trick. “You have? Should have told me that before. Come, let’s do it again,” he said. We warmed up the engine by running it at a slightly higher revolutions per minute (RPM) for two to three minutes. Next we checked the engine, water temperature, ignition and taxied out to the take-off point. And I was already figuring out the accelerator, placed exactly where a gear lever is in cars. Emboldened, I started changing direction using the two radar pedals at my feet. What encouraged me was the information slipped in by Thapar that I could master the basics in just five to seven hours of flying. Thapar smiled, ‘‘You have picked up a few things fast.’’ Two minutes later, we headed straight for the sun. I shut my eyes out of fear and on opening them, found ourselves over 800 feet above the ground. After which Thapar took over, and how! He dived, did somersaults, and it felt as if we were speeding in a car with no doors in thin air.

Boys will be boys, even at 55, I thought, hanging on for dear life and enjoying every minute of it.

All of a sudden, Thapar, an evil smile spreading across his face, went on a free fall. A few farmers working in the fields ducked as our aircraft passed right above their heads, and then further down, before Thapar broke gravity’s pull and landed back smoothly. The joyride lasted just a few minutes, but I have a feeling it is worth more than a thousand frequent flyer miles.

(If you want to hop on to a microlite, contact Alpha Aviation, Dr Ambedkar Airport, Gagol Road, Partapur, Meerut. Phone: 0121-2450425, or 9837363890. Microlite flying can cost up to Rs 4,000 per hour. Power Hang Glider comes for Rs 3,750 per hour.)