The Joys of Ultralight Flying

Lane Luttrell

Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at 09:23 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The article chronicles a 68-year-old beginner's exhilarating and successful ultralight flight experience with an expert instructor, from takeoff to a gentle landing.
It highlights the unique, sensory nature of ultralight flying, emphasizing the open cockpit, slow speed, and direct connection to the surrounding environment and sky.
Despite initial anxiety, the narrator finds ultralight flying to be a safe, challenging, fun, and confidence-building activity, proving that one is "never too old for a bird’s eye view."

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We approach the takeoff end of the runway. I go through the preflight checks — ailerons go up and down, rudder moves freely, elevators the same. It’s 7:30 a.m. as we depart St. John’s Airport in Reserve, Louisiana. I have seven hours in the airplane. I am 68 years old and a beginner at ultralight flying. I am anxious. My instructor has more confidence in me than I have in myself.

Gene Bever Borne, owner of Air-Tech Inc, has logged more than 8,000 hours in this type of aircraft. He was one of the pioneers in powered hang gliding and ultralight flying in Louisiana. He is calm, professional, gentle with the controls and with his instructions. He announces to the airport our intent to take off on Runway 35 departing to the east.