One Extreme Adventure in the Sky, Abel Tasman, NZ
I didn’t exactly believe them when the Flying Kiwi told me I would be piloting my own stunt plane in Abel Tasman, New Zealand. “You mean I am going to be a passenger and the pilot is going to fly right?” “No, you are actually going to pilot your own plane turning yourself upside down and all around doing aerial acrobats 4000 feet above the ground.”
Holy $*%#
Okay, if you say so. Dave took off to jump out of a plane while I climbed into my flight suit to fly with U-Fly Extreme.
I won’t tell a lie, my nerves were running high as the pilot Vincent gave me my instructions on how to fly this classic Pitts Special aircraft. This was not only my first flying lesson; it was my first aerial acrobat-flying lesson. We always say “If you are going to try something, don’t try it half assed, go for it 100%.
Run by Vincent and Allison, Pilot A Stunt Plane with U-Fly Extreme is a one of a kind operation for a once in a lifetime opportunity. They are a married couple that have years of experience of flight instruction and aerial acrobats and have yet to find anywhere offering the same service. As you can imagine, it is quite difficult to franchise out a company that takes amateurs into the air to twirl around in the sky.
Vincent says it is the simplest thing for him to teach people how to fly and flip through the air, but it is a very unique niche that is difficult to duplicate.
As soon as the engine starts and we taxi down the runway, I begin to relax. I feel confident in Vincent’s capable hands and once we jut into the sky, he instantly puts me on the controls.
We are climbing straight up into the air and he tells me to gently push the throttle left and right to get a feel of being in control of the plane.
The power feels incredible.
I know that he is there to take over if things go wrong, but he is confident enough to give me as much control as he can throughout the flight. During the video you can regularly see him lifting both hands in the air to prove that it is indeed me rolling the plane. He gives me instructions to keep on pulling right or up to keep the roll or spin going.
It is impossible to explain the feeling, but this video provided and edited by You Fly gives you a great idea of what you can expect.
It is the coolest thing on earth and I am amazed that I don’t feel nauseous. I feel quite comfortable actually and have the time of my life.
After my lesson is complete, Vincent takes over and spins and banks and turns upside down and all around to finish off the thrills. I can’t take the smile off my face and enjoy the feeling of weightlessness. When we fly upside down, I can’t believe it. We’re flying upside down!
I’ve only seen this type of thing in the movies or at the Toronto International Air Show and here I am participating and loving every minute of it.
After the flight I felt ready to take on the art of flying and Vincent set me up for a great photo op. He even made sure that I held on to my head gear like a true professional.
It was an absolutely amazing experience and I think it is New Zealand’s best adventure. While people were jumping out of planes next door, I had my first certified flying lesson and had the opportunity partake in Aerial Acrobats in a Stunt Airplane. How many people do you know that have done that?
U-Fly Extreme is located in the South Island of New Zealand in the Motueka in the Abel Tasman Area. You can find out more at their website http://www.uflyextreme.co.nz/ this Trip was made possible by Flying Kiwi and courtesy of UFlyExtreme.
While the trips were complimentary, we would never endorse anything if we didn’t feel it was a great experience. We would simply leave it out of our blog as we wouldn’t find it blog worthy. So far everything on our Flying Kiwi Experience has indeed been blog worthy.
This post is also a part of the #Blog4NZ effort going on with travel bloggers around the world uniting to show that New Zealand is open for business.
Comments
39 Responses to One Extreme Adventure in the Sky, Abel Tasman, NZ
Leave a Reply
Posts
- Emilia Romagna: Captured Beauty on Instagram on June 18, 2013 by debndave - 1 Comment
- Fast Cars – Get Your Adrenaline Fix with Ferrari on June 17, 2013 by debndave - 6 Comments
- Sometimes a Couple’s Gotta Relax on June 16, 2013 by debndave - 6 Comments
- Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, 150 Years in the Making on June 15, 2013 by debndave - 4 Comments
- Honesty, Fear and Triumph – Dear Reader on May 27, 2011 by debndave - 166 Comments
- Petra by Night in Photos on May 4, 2011 by debndave - 163 Comments
- How Travel Saved our Marriage and Transformed Our Lives on June 18, 2012 by debndave - 148 Comments
- So You Want to Be a Pro Blogger in The Travel Business on November 14, 2011 by debndave - 142 Comments
See Our Travel Photos!!!
As Seen On
Get Inspired!
Media and Appearances
Archives
Partner with Us
ThePlanetD is one of the top travel blogs on the Internet. We work with brands and tourism boards to help bridge the gap between the corporation and consumer. To find out how you can work with us, visit our Media/Advertise page.Write for Us
Travel Resources
Connect with Us
Log in -
Development by MWL Development -
Designed by Gabfire Themes
Google+
How awesome is this!!! The fact you get to fly yourself, how cool. I don’t know if I would get nauseous, but I certainly want to find out. Great post.
Hey Pete. Looking out the window helps a lot. I was amazed at how little nausea I felt. It just felt more like pressure rather than spinning. It is pretty cool that for a brief time I was actually in control of the joystick.
Woo! I’ve got a Commercial Pilot certificate, but have never flown upside down. This is cool!
Nicole that is so cool that you have a commercial pilots certificate. You are going to have to make your way to Abel Tasman to flip upsidedown one day soon!
Seriously, we need to start traveling together!!!
Andi, I would love that, we should start planning something!
OK, it’s well and truly confirmed. You are THE Adventure Couple!!! You’ve gone a long way…. !!!!
Thanks Michael. That means a lot. Thanks for all of your continued support.
Can’t believe you did “the flip”! Must have been such an amazing experience. And an unforgettable one too! *Pat on the back* Congrats on your achievement Deb!
Thanks Marcello. It was something I never thought I would do in my life. It was so much fun, you have to give it a try.
What an amazing experience, first time flying a plane, and it’s a stunt plane. The video was fantastic, but I don’t know if I’d be brave enough to something like that. Still it looked like you had a blast.
Alouise if I was brave enough you definitely would be. I have a fear of jumping off of things and when I saw the nose dives that I was going to have to do I thought I was going to faint. I had to keep drinking water because my mouth was so dry and my palms were so sweaty before flying. But then as soon as we took off I felt complete bliss!
Wow, what an incredible experience. I’d love to be able to flip a plane.
I love the motto:
“If you are going to try something, don’t try it half assed, go for it 100%”
Perfect!
OMG! I still have the voucher for flying a plane I got for my birthday. Never had the courage to call and make a time. Now I MUST do it! Well done Deb. You are amazing!
Alright Merav. I can’t wait to see how you like. If you loved skydiving, stunt plane flying will be a piece of cake for you!
Looks like you folks are still enjoying the tour! The plane-flying must have been incredible… bet Dave was jealous! Someday when I find my fortune I’ll have to follow in your footsteps and try all of your amazing adventures for myself! (Also, I agree and love the motto!) Keep flying like a kiwi! Cheers
Kristen you are so right. Dave was jealous. Thanks for stopping by. we are just now finished with the Flying Kiwi and can get you the photos and stuff. You are one major adventurer yourself. The way you leapt off that bungy jump was amazing!
What a video! I love how Vincent has the calm, authoritative instructor voice the entire time, as you exclaim. Like you, I haven’t heard of anyone else offering such a service; I wonder how they got the idea. It’s brilliant, and when we make it to New Zealand, this activity is definitely on our list!
I know eh. I am so embarassed when I watch the video. i am whooping and hollering all the way through. We commented to Vincent on how he must be going deaf from all the people screaming into his headset. He said that he does have volume control:) He also said that it is the quiet ones that he worries about. They normally are the ones that start to feel sick and throw up. We screamers just have a great time letting all the stress out
What an adventurous experience! Absolutely amazing, once in a lifetime activity. Takes great courage to do this, sounds like an unforgettable ride. Really liked this post and the photos.
Thanks! When in New Zealand you just have to let go of all fear and go for it. So many of the things here are a once in a lifetime opportunity, we would feel awful if we went home missing out on something extraordinary like this.
thanks for the kind words.. was fun flying with you.. and one correction.. the “throttle” you mention.. is/was the joystick.. looking forward to seeing if Dave deos actually turn up to have a flight
Thanks for the correction Vincent, I will get on that. I know of a few people that want to come now after seeing the video. Everyone is in agreement, it’s pretty much the coolest thing you can do in the air.
Look at you go in that plane! I’m so impressed! What a blast!
Thanks JoAnna, you have to give it a try one day.
Pingback: Skydive Abel Tasman, New Zealand - The Planet D: Around the World Adventure Couple
Pingback: Giant Out of This World News!!! - The Planet D: Around the World Adventure Couple
That’s an incredible experience.
Pingback: Sky Dive Taupo, Embrace the Fear - The Planet D: Around the World Adventure Couple
Pingback: Grounded, for Now « Wanderings
Pingback: skydive video » Blog Archive » Sky Dive Taupo, Embrace the Fear | Read Travel Blogs
Pingback: skydiving » Blog Archive » Sky Dive Taupo, Embrace the Fear | Read Travel Blogs
Pingback: New Zealand with The Flying Kiwi - The Planet D: Around the World Adventure Couple
Pingback: Skydivenut.com | Blog | <b>SkyDive</b> Taupo, Embrace the Fear
Pingback: Skydivenut.com | Blog | <b>SkyDive</b> Taupo, Embrace the Fear | Read Travel Blogs
Pingback: Mongol Rally - A Year in the Making - The Planet D: Around the World Adventure Couple
Pingback: Top Adventure Destinations In the World - Part 1
Pingback: Smooth Sailing in Abel Tasman
Pingback: Top Thrill SeekingThings to do in New Zealand