Oxford is known as the city of dreaming spires, where academic heights and flights of intellectual fantasy find their place in the towers of the ancient university. And while studying, investigating and teaching are undoubtedly important and noble pursuits, sometimes we all need something a bit more visceral to really feel alive. To that end, we’re offering you a way to break out of the libraries, lecture theatres and archives, and soar above the spires of the city and over the whole county of Oxfordshire in a light aircraft.

Before we go any further, let’s make one thing absolutely clear. We’re not just talking about flying in an aeroplane, but actually flying an aeroplane yourself. That’s right, here you have the chance to go one step beyond where most people will ever go, and find yourself in the pilot’s seat of a plane. Getting up into the skies and looking back down on the landscape is an incredible experience whether you take the controls or not. And this county is one of the best places to do it, with both green and pleasant scenery to enjoy, and a wide range of modern, historic and aerobatic aeroplanes on offer for a flight. You’ll get so much more than you can dream of on a flight experience here, and a price that’s lower than you can imagine!

Where can you find aircraft flight experiences in Oxfordshire?

There are many airfields in the county, but most are owned and operated by the military or the RAF. Of the two civilian aerodromes, the larger is found outside Bicester. This town is in the Northwest of the county, a little over 10 miles away from Oxford. The Chiltern Hills rise on the horizon to the south, coming into much clearer view once you’re in the air, and a green, rural landscape stretches away into the distance.

The other option is Enstone airfield, west of Oxford and close to Chipping Norton. The tiny village punches above its weight when it comes to precision engineering and speed - not only does it have the airfield, but it’s also home to the Alpine F1, formerly known as Renault F1 and Lotus F1, Team.

What can you see on an aircraft tour in Oxfordshire?

• Oxford: Even from a distance, the historic buildings and intricate spires of the city make Oxford one of the highlights of any tour of the county, whether you’re travelling on land or in the air. The oldest buildings of the university are almost 1,000 years old, but those that standout out in the skyline are the the14th century spire of the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Christopher Wren's Tom Tower which crowns Christ Church Cathedral, the elegant bell tower of Magdalen College, and the Georgian era Radcliffe Observatory. It’s a sight that will set your imagination alight.

• Countryside: Just because it’s a landlocked county - in fact, it’s in the geographical centre of England - doesn’t mean Oxordshire doesn’t boast natural beauty. The Chiltern Hills and the Vale of the White Horse are breathtaking landscapes in the south of the county, where the River Thames flows on its way to London. Other parts of the landscape have been sculpted by human hand into stunning creations, for example the grounds around Blenheim Palace.

• RAF bases: Nestled among rolling hills and farmers’ fields, several RAF bases are found in Oxfordshire. One of these, Brize Norton, is the largest RAF station in the country. Count how many different kinds of planes and helicopters you can see on the runways and in the hangars as you fly overhead. And you’ll get bonus points if you can spot Vespina, the private jet just by the Royal Family and government ministers which has recently had a Union Jack themed makeover.

Options for organising a flight & types of light aircrafts?

Now that you know where to go, you’ll be dying to know what kind of plane you can get your hands on. Well there are several tried, tested and terrific models that are used for trial lessons. You can find the classics in civilian aviation - Cessna and Piper light aircraft. These come in 2 and 4 seat models and are known for their reliability, ease of use and excellent visibility. The other option is an Austrian-designed Diamond DA20, a more modern aircraft with a distinctive bubble cockpit which allows 360º views. You can choose the length of your lesson, with options ranging from 20 minutes to 60 minutes. You’ll learn how to use the controls and have a go yourself in any lesson, but there’ll be more time to get the hang of it in a longer flight. If you’re really serious about learning to fly, why not become a pilot for a day, with a 5 hour introductory course?

For the history buffs among us, there are flights in historic aircraft available in this region. Two vintage models from the giant in 20th century aviation, deHavilland, can be found on the runway, a 1930s Tiger Moth biplane, with its classic tandem cockpit, and a Chipmunk, one of the most popular training aircraft in the post Second World War period. Like with a trial lesson, you can take a short, 15-20 minute flight in one of these, or a longer trip of 1 hour, in which you’ll enjoy the experience as a passenger.

Finally, for the daredevils out there, a 25 minute aerobatic flight is sure to get the adrenaline pumping. Once again, you’ll be a passenger on this ride, which includes loops, rolls and dives in the skies. The plane of choice is Mudry Cap 10.

Activity requirements: Age and weight

Fasten your seatbelts for a piece of news that you’re not going to be able to believe - you can pilot a plane in Oxfordshire from just 13 years old. While your older siblings are sweating over their entrance exams for Oxford University or stressed about their dissertations, you can be feeling the freedom of flight high above the ground in a light aircraft. There are no upper age limits, so stuffy old professors and Oxford dons are also welcome. The only thing to bear in mind is that there are some weight limits on passengers. These vary from plane to plane, ranging from 96 to 110 kilograms.

This is the place to start the journey of your lifetime, tell us how you want to get going, and we’ll make your dreams come true!