The Murray Pioneer journalist Sebastian Calderon was among attendees who took to the sky as part of a local Try n’ Fly day last weekend.

Sebastian Calderon, Murray Pioneer

Success is the first word I would use to describe the Try ‘n Fly event, organised by the Loxton Aero Club, last Sunday.

We had hardly any clouds, and the sun shining into the swirling River Murray beautifully bordered the region’s landscape.

After a short drive to the Loxton Aerodrome, greetings were made with Bev Scarfe, secretary of the club.

We exchanged a few words about the event and about how grateful she was about organising everything, keeping in mind it’s only the second year they’ve done something like this.

“I’m just happy to deliver the opportunity for people to try a small bit of aviation and fall in love with it,” Ms Scarfe said

“Everyone can come to these events and try flying for the first time, its not expensive and you’ll really fulfil a dream of yours.”

At least 30 people were queuing already for short rides in the two-seat Jabiru light aircraft and the four-seater Piper Cherokee. Immediately, Bev knew I was an aviation geek and before I could say anything, she organised a short flight with Loxton Aero Club president, Alex Wild.

“You go up with Alex, he his the best and you two will get along,” Ms Scarfe said.

My ride was on a small Jabiru light aircraft, Alex’s personal aircraft, which is perfect for basic aeronautics training, since it’s manoeuvrable but powerful enough to carry two people.

Propeller clear, instruments checked and engine started, we taxied our way to Runway 25 along with the other Jabiru, which had a really excited young girl as a passenger.

Taking off always triggers an emotional and mental response in me, it is magic transmitted as energy from the brain to the heart.

Alex warned me that since it was such a light aircraft, we were going to feel more turbulence as we climbed our way to 1700 feet, but that I would feel comfortable because of the manoeuvrability of the plane.

After a few minutes in the air and a couple of important instructions, Alex gave me control of the airplane and said “the aircraft is yours, easy on the stick and the pedals, just feel it, enjoy it and when you can, turn right to circle that phone tower”.

As soon as the controls were mine, a journey of emotions started. It’s like being a young kid again, feeling free looking at the world from the skies and being able to tell my younger self “you did it again”.

Alex was born in South Africa but came to Australia 20 years ago to raise his family. You can tell he absolutely loves airplanes and what they can do.

He’s been flying for longer than he can remember, but the passion he transmits when speaking about it gets to you.

“I stopped flying to raise my kids, but now I went back to do it because I just love it,” he said.

“I enjoy every day of teaching or just doing simple touch-n-go’s, it has become my life.”

With Alex being a certified instructor, the real reason behind the Try ‘n Fly is to let people know they too can become pilots, whether it is for recreational purposes or to pursue a commercial pilot career.

“Facing your own fears of flying, opens a whole new perspective of the world,” Mr Wild said.

“Everyone can become a private or a commercial pilot. You just need to know where to start.”

Around 10 minutes later, we glided back onto the runway and stepped out of the amazing Jabiru, which I had fallen in love with.

Alex definitely knew what I was feeling, smiled and waved goodbye, as the queue had grown quite more in those 20 minutes, so he headed to bring emotions to another lucky person.

This article appeared in the Murray Pioneer, 31 July 2024.