It’s been over 100 years since the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, made the first ever powered flights in North Carolina. Now that we’re in the second century of aviation, we think it’s about time that people from all walks of life were given the opportunity to take to the skies, not just soldiers, pilots and wealthy enthusiasts. While we can all travel in a commercial jumbo jet, you don’t get to take the controls onboard a passenger aircraft. In Devon, on the other hand, we’re offering you the chance to be a pilot for a day in the cockpit of a light aircraft.

We can’t recommend this area enough for a flying experience. It’s the only English county with two distinct coastlines, bordered by the Bristol Channel and the English Channel, and you’ll be able to see both at once from the cabin of an aeroplane. Inland too, is easy on the eyes with the wild expanses of Dartmoor and Exmoor and rural farmland dotted with picturesque villages. There are multiple airfields and aircrafts to choose from which, along with the competitive prices, make this a perfect plan for everyone.

Where to fly a light aircraft in Devon?

• If you’re in Exeter, the county town, you can take off from the airport just a couple of miles from the centre. Beautiful views of the city and its eleventh century cathedral await you, and beyond you’ll be able to see from the estuary of the River Exe, to the peaks and plains of Dartmoor.

• Near Honiton in the East of the county is Dunkeswell aerodrome. There are multiple runways here allowing for take-off in almost any wind conditions and a flight path that will take you over the narrowest point of the county. You’ll enjoy views of the Bristol channel coastline, and the Jurassic Coast - so called due to the number of dinosaur fossils that are found in its rocks - to the South, and you might even follow this coastline and fly into the airspace of neighbouring Dorset.

• A small airfield operates near the North town of Umberleigh, in the middle of the charming rural landscape. Rise above the patchwork fields and into the air, enjoying views across the Bristol Channel to South Wales. Or take a longer flight from Umberleigh and tour the Southwest tip of England, to the point of Land’s End and maybe even catch a glimpse of the Scilly Isles before returning to Devon.

Kinds of aeroplane that can you fly

- Cessna: the classic hobbyist’s aircraft of choice, Cessna has been a trusted name in recreational aviation for decades. They’re success lies in their reliability, longevity and user-friendly design. Here you’ll find two and four seater models meaning that you can take the the controls under the supervision of the pilot, and have an audience if you want.

- Piper: another favourite in the world of aviation, Piper small aircraft are easily identified by their low wing design. The Piper Cherokee, which you have the chance to fly in Devon, is a bit more powerful than its Cessna counterpart without compromising on safety.

- American Champion Decathlon: if you’re after something a bit more sporty, look no further. The Decathlon is an aerobatics sports plane designed to handle the extreme g-forces involved in manoeuvres such as loops, rolls and flying upside-down! The Decathlon in Dunkeswell is owned by TV petrol head James May so you know that entertainment is guaranteed.

- Evektor Eurostar: another sporty option is the Czech-manufactured Eurostar. With it’s low wing, bubble canopy and streamlined profile, it’s surte to get your pulse racing before you even get in the cockpit. This is a lightweight, two seater craft which is well balanced and responsive, to provide a very rewarding flight experience.

- Havilland Tiger Moth: experience a piece of aviation history in the classic World War Two biplane! You’ll hear the whizz of the propeller and feel the wind in your hair in this open cockpit classic. Owing to the fact that inline arrangement of seats in the fuselage, it’s not possible to fly the Tiger Moth, but the experience of being a passenger is enough to take you on a trip back in time, as well as through this region skies.

Requirements to do this activity

In order to step into the cockpit of one of these aircraft and take to the skies, you can be as young as 9 years old. To have a turn at the controls however you’ll have to be a bit older but you’ll be surprised to learn that you can pilot a plane in the sky before you can drive a car on the road.

Before the 20th century, many believed that heavier than air flight was a scientific impossibility and even now, weight plays a critical part in aviation. Each of the aeroplanes on offer here has a specific weight carrying capacity, and the size of pilots and passengers has to be taken into account. In a two seater aircraft, depending on how much the flight instructor weighs, you’ll have to weigh less than 90 - 100kg. In the case that you want to carry some passengers in a four seater, the combined weight is limited to 230kg - so choose your companions carefully!

How long does a flight experience last?

Even nervous flyers can’t say no to this experience, as the shortest flights available in Devon are just 15 minutes. While there isn’t much time for getting to grips with the flight controls in a quarter of an hour, it’s perfect to experience the thrill of take-off and landing, and to get a new perspective on the landscape. A more standard duration is 30 minutes, in which time you’ll have time to take over from the pilot and fly the light aircraft yourself! Or choose an hour long flight and have even more pilot time, as well as enjoying views across a wider area.

If you choose a flight in the American Champion Decathlon, you can experience the stunts and tricks that inspire so many children - and adults - to become pilots. Of course, you won’t be able to carry out these manoeuvres yourself, but depending on the length of the experience (15, 30 or 45 minutes), you’ll be able to try your hand at the controls for some of the less intense parts of the flight.

Longer flights can also be arranged, allowing you to explore the whole Southwest from the cockpit of a plane. If you choose a flight of 3 hours or longer it will include landing at an airfield in either Cornwall or Dorset, where you’ll fill up on fuel for the aircraft, and a cup of tea for the human element, before taking off again and returning back to the start point.

With so much to choose from, we’re not going to ask which flight experience you want to do, but which one you want to do first! Let us know, and we’ll make it happen together.