Advice on taking young kids as passengers
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Oxford
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Even my son, who now at 13 is determined to be a pilot, used to go to sleep when younger at times. I think the whole thing is quite soothing. Keeping the headset on was a bit of a challenge but he likes talking and once he realised Daddy could only hear him if he wore it properly, he got the idea.
I disagree with Mary, but I guess all children vary.
Don't, though, end up having to explain to A&E why your 4 year old has a broken toe 'because Daddy ran it over with his aeroplane'. Takes too much explaining...
I disagree with Mary, but I guess all children vary.
Don't, though, end up having to explain to A&E why your 4 year old has a broken toe 'because Daddy ran it over with his aeroplane'. Takes too much explaining...
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Brighton, UK
Age: 45
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My little 2 year old boy is more excited about going in a light aircraft and a helicopter than pretty much anything else in the world. He gets pretty upset when i fly off without him on board!
However, despite the initial excitement his attention span is short - so the iPad becomes necessary.
We've now done perhaps 20 flights, He's never been sick, and can't wait to get back in the aircraft.
I would not normally take him up alone - always and only with my wife. This way we can have clear duties- I am the pilot and she is the child carer. We've had some funny incidents - at 5000 feet she opened up his milk, and it hit the ceiling. Another time the airvent came open and freaked him out, and he tool a little calming. However, none of these events affected safety because our duties were clear.
He likes the helicopter best because he sits in the middle front seat (Enstrom) and has wonderful visibility in all directions. He loves seeing vehicles, sheep ,etc. He still loves being in the aeroplane, and his child seat boosts him up high enough to look outside - he loves seeing the clouds and gets very excited seeing other aeroplanes.
I wouldn't change it for the world - the whole family loves it and it means we get to do exciting day trips to different cities, or the beach, that would otherwise be impossible to do on a day trip without messing up his routines.
As he gets a little older we'll start flying further, but for now it's 60 minutes max, with our most regular destination being Le Touquet at just under 30 minutes.
However, despite the initial excitement his attention span is short - so the iPad becomes necessary.
We've now done perhaps 20 flights, He's never been sick, and can't wait to get back in the aircraft.
I would not normally take him up alone - always and only with my wife. This way we can have clear duties- I am the pilot and she is the child carer. We've had some funny incidents - at 5000 feet she opened up his milk, and it hit the ceiling. Another time the airvent came open and freaked him out, and he tool a little calming. However, none of these events affected safety because our duties were clear.
He likes the helicopter best because he sits in the middle front seat (Enstrom) and has wonderful visibility in all directions. He loves seeing vehicles, sheep ,etc. He still loves being in the aeroplane, and his child seat boosts him up high enough to look outside - he loves seeing the clouds and gets very excited seeing other aeroplanes.
I wouldn't change it for the world - the whole family loves it and it means we get to do exciting day trips to different cities, or the beach, that would otherwise be impossible to do on a day trip without messing up his routines.
As he gets a little older we'll start flying further, but for now it's 60 minutes max, with our most regular destination being Le Touquet at just under 30 minutes.
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Rochester
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I can't wait to take my son flying (almost 3) but am working on the basis that he should ask to come up rather than me just take him. I would be devastated if it put him off for life if I took him up too soon and he didn't enjoy it.
Though the vast majority of kids love their flying, be careful what you do. If you decide on a few aeros, be prepared to clean the aeroplane after they are sick. Not a nice job!. Of course, you will carry a sick bag for them, but one cannot guarantee then using it.
The older Master RBF was happy flying in his car seat and child size ear muffs. Once admonished to keep his hands off the yoke, he did
Crosswind landings got him sick twice in the flare. Lots of cleanup in one case
Consider instruction in use of sick bag as there may be very little warning.
For some strange reason he was terrified of over water approaches
Crosswind landings got him sick twice in the flare. Lots of cleanup in one case
Consider instruction in use of sick bag as there may be very little warning. For some strange reason he was terrified of over water approaches
One small piece of advice. Avoid thermic summer afternoons after a bacon sandwich and hot chocolate lunch with a little one on board....
...Farnborough LARS were ever so helpful in assisting me with a direct routing home, whilst said little one revisited his bacon sandwich and hot chocolate inside of my Katana!
...Farnborough LARS were ever so helpful in assisting me with a direct routing home, whilst said little one revisited his bacon sandwich and hot chocolate inside of my Katana!
