| Outdoor activities are great for mind and body. For the | | | | air transport. Flights ascend to around 2000 feet and |
| adventurous and those who just enjoy the great | | | | journey destination depends on the direction of the |
| outdoors, the challenge is often finding the next thing to | | | | wind. Subject to getting in and out of the basket |
| do. | | | | ballooning is accessibility to all ages and levels of |
| Presented here are ten air related activities. Some of | | | | fitness. A great way to see beautiful scenery. |
| them are not for the faint hearted and some are not | | | | 6. Gliding |
| recommended. | | | | A fixed wing aircraft with no engine can be a |
| 1. Base Jumping | | | | wonderful experience. Flights can last for hours and |
| Base jumping is a relatively recent phenomenon. It | | | | reach altitudes of 30,000. It is a very accessible |
| embraces jumping with a packed parachute from | | | | pastime - it's not expensive and pilots can fly solo as |
| fixed structures such as tall buildings, bridges and cliffs. | | | | young as 16 years of age. |
| It is highly dangerous and people have died doing it. | | | | 7. Microlight |
| Genuinely not recommended. | | | | A microlight is a small (maximum 2 seats) motorised |
| 2. Bungee Jumping | | | | aeroplane which can fly at slow speeds. Flying a |
| Bungee jumping started in New Zealand and has now | | | | microlight is not subject to the same regulation as |
| spread around the globe. It involves jumping from | | | | other aircraft and for some people may be an |
| height attached to an elasticised line. Jumps usually | | | | affordable introduction in to the world of flying. |
| take place from a fixed structure but have also been | | | | 8. Parachute Jump |
| done from helicopters or hot air balloons. A fun | | | | There are basically two ways most people take a |
| experience but not without risk so check out company | | | | parachute jump. One is on a static line which means |
| reputation before signing up. | | | | jumping out of the aircraft solo and the canopy opens |
| 3. Hang Gliding | | | | automatically after a few seconds. The other is |
| A hang glider is an unmotorised aircraft where the pilot | | | | tandem jumping where the novice is joined by a |
| is strapped on to an aluminium frame by a secure | | | | harness to an experienced practitioner. The advantage |
| harness. Hang gliders are lunched by foot, usually by | | | | of the latter is that preparation for a first jump can |
| jumping of a hillside. When the sport first started flights | | | | take just 30 minutes. |
| were usually short in duration but today they can | | | | 9. Paragliding |
| extend for hours. Not to be undertaken without proper | | | | Paragliding is very similar to hand gliding. The main |
| training. | | | | difference between the two is the configuration of the |
| 4. Helicopter Flight | | | | wings. A hang glider has V-shaped wings whereas a |
| A helicopter flight is a totally different experience to a | | | | paraglider has a more oval shape. |
| fixed wing aircraft. The greater manoeuvrability can be | | | | 10. Skydiving |
| a fund experience for first timers. Most people opt for | | | | Skydiving is a more advanced form of parachuting. It |
| a helicopter flight as a site seeing experience, for | | | | involves jumping from higher altitudes and involves |
| example a tour over the Manhattan skyline or the | | | | freefall before the canopy opens. Most people |
| Grand Canyon. It can also be a faster (albeit more | | | | experience skydiving in tandem with an experienced |
| expensive) means of commuting short distances. | | | | jumper. |
| 5. Hot Air Ballooning | | | | All these activities carry an element of risk. Choosing a |
| Hot air ballooning is a remarkably peaceful means of | | | | reputable operator is essential. |