Flying without wings…

“Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man.... Landing is the first!...”

This morning, we decided to join the BNM photography Club for an aerial photo shoot of KL and surrounding areas and had the opportunity to fly a small 4-seater plane from Sungai Besi TUDM Airport. The flight was not just about admiring scenery but also a test of our mental and physical endurance and it is classified as an extreme sport.

(A few choices of the 4-seater planes)

We had a choice of a Cessna 172 Skyhawk or a Piper PA28-180 Cherokee. And we decided to fly the Piper Cherokee instead as it is more stable than the Cessna. Cessna has always designed an airplane that is lighter than Piper. But being heavier, Piper is somewhat easier to handle in adverse conditions.

(Bright and sunny day during take-off)

(First aerial shot of the city skyline)

But for the purpose of aerial photography, many prefer the high wing Cessna compare to the low wing Piper as one can see up and to the side better in the low wing, but you can't see down so much because the wing is obstructing your view.

(Clear view with dark clouds in the horizon)

(Hazy aerial view of KL city)

(View from inside the plane)

At 0900 we were off the ground and flying over KL, The plane flew 1500 feet above sea level. We could see KL and parts of Selangor from an angle which we have never seen before.

(Twin towers and KL tower)

(KL tower and twin towers from different angle)

Today we had Mr. Mann to pilot the plane and the co-pilot was allowed to fly the plane for a while, but not during takeoff and landing of course. The back seats were quite comfortable for two people. Because it was a small plane, the noise was not well insulated and it felt like a sauna on the hot tarmac. But once the plane was flying high in the sky it was quite cooling and breezy.

(Closer shot of the twin towers)

(Zooming to catch a glimpse of our Putramas Apartment on the far right)

It cost us RM600 per hour per plane but the experience of flying a plane is really worth the money.