Winter in England is pretty cold and miserable, so it was with great excitement that I booked myself a two week trip to Morocco to learn how to paraglide with Mid-Wales ParaGliding Centre (www.MWPGC.co.uk) I made a video of the trip which you can watch at – (https://youtu.be/hCSudnACSMc)
As an Autistic Adult, I have many difficulties day-to-day and require a fair bit of support in order to manage. Aviation is however, my special interest, I find that when I am in the sky, all my problems are left “on the ground” and I get an immense sense of calm and focus, what some would call a flow state.
For the past almost decade, I have been a keen skydiver, having completed over 300 jumps and 22 hours of “Tunnel Time” it was something I pursued with passion and which led me all around the world on trips and competitions.
But although falling through the air was thrilling, I always had a dream of flight. To be able to soar like a bird, complete freedom to go any-and-everywhere. I followed this dream at the end of 2023 initially by undertaking tuition towards my PPL, this was short-lived however, as no sooner had I begun, I was diagnosed with lung-cancer, which put a pause on any aviation related activities.
I was very fortunate, that after surgery to remove half of my left lung, I was able to fully recover, and was even physically better than I had been with the tumour restricting my airways. I was now more determined to return to the skies. I was also fortunate to be able to move house in 2024 to be closer to a drop-zone and flight school.
Because of my medical issues I was initially unsure that I would be able to get a class 1 or class 2 medical, something I would need for my PPL, I therefore, decided to ease into things by undertaking a Gliding flight at my local club. Although I very much enjoyed being in the air again, something was missing.
Later that year (2024) I did a days taster paragliding, and go a little taste of ground handling, and even a small hop or two. It was a really great day out, but unfortunately I had had to travel all the way up to the Peak District (from Lincolnshire) so this wasn’t something I could partake in on a regular basis.
Almost a year later, the need to get in the air was gnawing away at me, and with no feasible way of paragliding locally I got in touch with Mike Chilvers the instructor for UFLY4FUN at wingland airfield, and I booked in to do a introduction to paramotoring course on my birthday which would include 5 flights.
I was immediately hooked, as I had been with skydiving. I had an immense amount of fun learning to ground handle, was incredible nervous about using an engine, and struggled with the weight. It was however an incredible experience and put in place the missing piece – a canopy!
It was also an incredible milestone, my first flight as a pilot – 100% freedom, in complete control and the first time I have gone up instead of down! I knew I had made the correct decision to switch from fixed-wing to flex-wing. I of course wanted to continue, but by the time I had completed the course, as well as a further 10 flights, winter was starting to creep in.
Being Autistic, I often am very all-or-nothing, and when I get a special interest I pursue it with great determination. Because of this, and knowing that I intended to also gain my PG qualifications long-term I decided to join a trip to Morocco to complete EP and CP training, a last minute decision that would result in the best two weeks of my life!
The group would be staying in Mirleft, approximately 3 hours south of Agadir airport. With several flying sites nearby, and lovely beaches to train ground handling and undertake first hops, whilst also enjoying the wonderful weather and bright sunny skies of the Morocco coast.
The first 3 days was spent on the dunes of Aglou, initially the group were introduced to the wing and harness, learning the components and how to do daily inspections, something we then were responsible for doing every day the rest of the trip. Once everyone was competent with ground handling, including raising the wing, turning and running, and putting the wing back on the ground safely, it was time for our first hops!
One by one, we lined up at the top of the dunes, raised our wings, turned and ran. Up into the air and away from the ground, with a good 10-20 seconds to enjoy a taste of flight, enough time to sit in the harness, make one or two small turns, then line up on the beach to land on the soft sand with the waves cheering you on.
Now what comes down, must go back up. I can admit I am less fit than most, and I struggled a lot with the next part. Climbing the dunes with the heavy and awkward combination of harness and loose canopy, with sand slipping out under every step, and the sun beating down – there’s no escape in the shade of the canopy, as the material serves only to trap heat like a green house.
The only respite came from the many breaks I took on my ascent, and the copious litres of water provided by Brian who was my support and motivation on every climb. This was the hardest physical challenge I have ever had to face, and I am not ashamed to admit that I did throw up once from over exerting myself. I did not give up, and I continued to carry my own equipment like a badge of honour, although I did not manage as many flights as the rest of the group as a result.
Each day I was able to complete more than the day before, three flights/climbs on day 1, three and a half on day 2 (one flight only made it halfway down the dune) and four flights on day 3. I was proud of my progress, and was just about keeping up with the group, which meant we could all move on to bigger hills and longer flights.
Over the following 3 days we all completed the tasks and theory needed to attain the Elementary Pilot award, this marked the mid-way point to gaining a Club Pilot rating and also the mid-way point of the holiday.
In week two we all had a chance to experience several flying sites, from Nigel’s/Le Nid, to Legzira, and a wonderful site called “The Bowl”. Each takeoff and landing area had its own challenges and obstacles, but we had almost perfect conditions for all but two of the days on the trip, and aside from a few slope landings, and close calls with cacti, everyone had successful flights, completed soaring flights, spot-landings, and even a few top-landings.
With all but one student completing their CP this was a very successful trip. And what a bunch of amazing people! I can’t imagine a better group to have gone out with. We had three instructors, Steve Prime, Secondary Steve, and Chris (who joined us for the second week) Each had their own unique teaching style and all were equally fantastic and friendly.
Among the group we had a few qualified pilots who chipped in with the support, driving cars and keeping spirits up, and the rest of us students day 1 and masters by day 14! There was an incredible range of personalities, but everyone got on well, egged each other on and made it such a great community to be a part of. And a few in particular really help me out, from ensuring I was eating when I struggled, to helping me with leaving my stuff places.
Overall it is easy to say this was the best two weeks of my life, I have so many moments and things I am proud to have achieved. I feel I have learned a lot, and I can’t wait to continue to fly and soar. I hope to meet up with the group members again, and I am already planning my next trip with Steve! Thank you so much for such a great experience.
