Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Microlighting in Jeddah

A group of my friends recently enjoyed microlighting along the Red Sea coastline. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to go along, but they all had a fabulous time, soaring into the sky, feeling the wind against their faces, and soaking up the amazing views of the city of Jeddah and the Red Sea from up there.

Here is a short video called "Microlighting Over Jeddah" from their excursion. You can really get the feel for the experience itself by watching it. Because of the size of the group, the individual flights were shortened to about 10-13 minutes each.

Microlighting in Jeddah has been around for over a decade now. And guess what? Women are not barred from participating in this delightful adventure! This is one outdoor activity, though, that is definitely not for those with a fear of heights or a fear of flying.

Jeddah is the perfect place for ultralight aircraft because of several factors – the weather is consistently warm, the land is flat along the sea coastline and there are relatively low winds.

There are many companies that produce their own version of an ultralight aircraft, but basically it is like a hang glider with an engine similar to a lawn mower engine. Micrlight aircraft accommodate one or two persons, are inexpensive to own, and are mostly used for joyriding. The earliest versions of ultralight aircraft used to be called “flying clotheslines” because they were completely open.

Knowing the take-off weight is extremely important to have a successful flight, with careful consideration given to the weight of the aircraft itself and the one or two people who will be taking flight. The flying altitudes over Jeddah are about 500-700 feet.

Microlighting expeditions can be arranged in Jeddah through the Jeddah Aviation Club and take off is at the Western Region Aviation School, which is off of Al Malek Road, directly across the street from the Red Sea Mall’s Gate #2. The cost is about 200-250 SR per hour, with special negotiable deals for groups. But of course, with groups, the flying time is shorter in order to accommodate everyone. A trained and qualified pilot accompanies each flight.

19 comments:

  1. Susie,
    Hang in there. I love you blog and I get a lot out of it. Stay your course my dear friend.
    Jessie

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    1. Hi Jessie - Thanks. I'm trying. It's nice discovering new things to do here instead of just thinking all there is to do here is shop!

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    2. Tottaly agree with u, Susie. I live in Jeddah. And have no idea except shopping :( till I read ur blog :) love it :) one day, I want try it :)

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    3. Tottaly agree with the "shopping" thing. One day, wanna try to "fly" :)

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    4. I'd love to hear from any Saudi women who may have tried this. Unfortunately I'd be willing to bet that it's mainly expat women who have gone microlighting over Jeddah or snorkeling in the Red Sea. Most Saudi women are still being held back or limited either by their husbands, their fathers, or themselves.

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  2. I am definitely going to find out more about this even if not for me I am sure my kids and grand kids would love this.

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    1. I think you should be brave and try it out mum..

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  3. Susie:

    This looks too fun to pass up. I think you need to go. Have fun.

    Big

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    1. I've got to lose a few kilos first... argh!

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    2. Don't be so hard on yourself. You look great in your photos.

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  4. Wow, what an adventure. I know somebody here in the USA has one and used to fly it all the time.

    Not for me!!

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    1. Hi Yogi - Sometimes I'm afraid of heights - depends on the situation. I've never been skydiving or bungie jumping - it scares me a bit.

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  5. oh man this looks awesome, id love to try this out after Ramadan!!!!

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    1. Hi SweetLikeChocolate - I hope you can. The group had a wonderful time and the views were spectacular!

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  6. Thanks Susie for sharing this. Truly, there is LIFE here in Jeddah and it's FUN here as well.

    By the way, hope you can feature as well the latest craze here which we have tried already... the dinner in the sky @ Park Hyatt Corniche.

    Thanks much! This microlighting thing will be our next adventure!

    Do keep safe and keep up such a great work!

    Deynz

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    1. Hi Deynz - Now THAT sounds like something I'd like to try! Thanks for the tip.

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  7. No worries. Susie! Hope you'll enjoy it as much as we do! Another thing, don't expect much on the food (it wasn't bad though)... We just thought the what we actually paid was the experience...

    Thanks for the info on microlight flying. My friends and I are off to try this after Ramadan as the flight sked seems to be a bit different during this season.
    ~Deynz~

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  8. Thank you so much Susie for this. My friends and I really enjoyed our microlighting experience early Friday morning... ending our August with a bang! If not with your blog, I won't be able to trace where this flying thing in Jeddah is.

    Oh by the way, do you happen to try the dinner in the sky thing?

    Keep safe always!

    Deynz

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  9. he there
    me and a group friends of myn are planning to go jeddah.
    SO i have seen some thing on youtube like diving and jetski en flying and stuff. but my question is do we need to have lessons or a driving/flying/diving licence.And im wondering if it is expencive to do this activities

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