Here at Air Experiences, we offer flying experiences across the country – and Wales is no exception. For those in the south of Wales, or even the other side of the Bristol Channel in England, Cardiff Airport – or Maes Awyr Caerdydd – offers the perfect location for your first flying experience. It’s not just the only airport in Wales to offer scheduled international flights on passenger jets; it’s also a fantastic airport for experiencing the thrill of flying a light aircraft. CLICK HERE to see our flights
Cardiff Airport started life as RAF Rhoose, built during the Second World War for Spitfires to operate out of. After the war it suffered a period of abandonment, which saw its runways littered with unused bombs and its buildings falling to bits. But by the early 1950s it was brought back to life as the international airport we know today, operating flights to France and Ireland. Subsequent development has seen the range of destinations grow enormously, with runway extension in the 1980s allowing bigger jets, such as Boeing 747s, to use the airport. It’s now also the primary maintenance base for British Airways. On a few memorable occasions, Cardiff has even played host to one of the most famous aircraft of all time: Concorde.
Concorde at Cardiff Airport (from Wikimedia Commons)
Concorde may no longer be flying, but the number of international flights operating from Cardiff means that you’re never short of things to see on a visit to this busy airport. This makes it a particularly interesting place to go flying, as there’s always something going on. As you taxi to the runway for take-off on your flying lesson, you might even find yourself waiting behind a jumbo jet departing for warmer climes!
While you may not be flying quite as far as them, you’ll have plenty of stunning views to enjoy when you fly from Cardiff Airport. For a start, the airport’s location right on the coast will give you some spectacular sea views across the Bristol Channel and across to Somerset and Devon, with the tall towers of the Severn bridges visible as you look upstream towards Bristol. Nearby you’ll see the city of Cardiff, and in the distance, weather permitting, you should be able to spot the mountains of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
The Severn Estuary from the air (photograph licensed for reuse from Geograph.org)
If you’d like to book a flying lesson at Cardiff Airport, or you’d like to treat someone to a memorable flying experience for Christmas, take a look at our light aircraft flying lessons. Prices start from just £50, making it a fun and affordable Christmas present for those difficult-to-buy-for people!
Published December 2014
