So I decided on a Tiger Moth flying experience from Buyagift.
A bi-plane, the Tiger Moth was operated by the Royal Air Force from the 1930s to the 1950s primarily to train pilots. My husband is learning to fly and when I presented him with this Tiger Moth experience gift on holiday he was really surprised and very excited.
A memorable experience, never forgotten.
Experiences like this last longer than material things, you won't be talking about the phone you bought in 2016 when you are old and grey but you will remember the time you went up in a Tiger Moth and did a loop and roll! Yes, this was what was in store for him.
The booking process was simple - he entered his details online and then rang the aviation company in Gloucester, Tiger Airways.
So a month later we set off for Gloucester airport. Firstly he watched a DVD to know what to expect. The film showed you what not to touch, the basic controls and how not to put your foot on the plane! Yes indeed, something I didn't know was that the plane was made of wood and canvas!
After meeting the lady pilot and going over a few instructions he donned a leather jacket, a hat and goggles like Biggles and climbed into the front open cockpit of the bi-plane. A headset kept him in touch with the lady pilot and he was strapped in with a four-point harness.
After taxying on the grass airstrip, then picking up speed, they had lift-off, soaring like eagles gliding on the air.
Acrobatics
When airborne and away from the airfield she let my husband take control of the plane to turn left, right and climb then she retook control and asked if he wanted to do a loop. So he did. He's certainly braver than me, flying upside down in an open cockpit plane, that's for sure.
So they went into a dive to pick up some speed and then they looped. The experience was, less scary that he thought before he knew it he was looking at the floor, then they were upright.
After flying some more, the pilot asked if he wanted to try something else and they went into a victory roll. This is when you roll sideways in a complete loop otherwise known as an aileron roll. This felt more like a ride at a theme park, except at 3000 feet rather than a few hundred, with the wind rushing past his face, a real adrenaline rush.
Then he took control again and was directed back to the airfield where she took control and landed the plane.
"It was a great experience, a bit chilly though but thoroughly enjoyable"
After the experience, he was given a copy of the photo taken earlier and there was an opportunity to have a DVD of the experience. If you think you or a loved one would like to try the Tiger Moth experience I would recommend you get it from Buyagift as the process of booking was simple and straightforward and they offer free exchanges too if you or your recipient change their mind.
Flying a Tiger Moth plane was one gift he will never forget, great memories that will last a lifetime.
I didn't manage to capture his acrobatics but here is a little video I made of the experience. Tell me, would you or a loved one like to try this? Have you ever given a gift experience?
* I was gifted this experience for an honest review
Oh my!What a gift! You truly have the knack of giving great gifts, your hubby must have been delighted. I personally would of been a bit scared and would of had a fake illness. Joking aside it sounds like you had a great day and I really love that you can get a photo and a dvd to remember the day.
ReplyDeleteHe was delighted. I would have been too scared myself :)
DeleteI totally agree that experiences last longer than anything else but you'll create lasting memories and I think that's amazing. This is totally the kind of thing my dad would love to do! x
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong I love new gadgets, my Iphone is the best but experiences like this bring people together talking and remembering.
DeleteWOw what an absolutely amazing experience that is! Something you would just never forget. x
ReplyDeleteWOW what an experience, I mean that looks fantastic! H x
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing gift. I got the chance to be in a helicopter 2 years ago and was an amazing experience. I bet this was just as amazing
ReplyDeleteWe went in a helicopter, like you, over the Grand Canyon and that was a great experience too. I was slightly nervous but it was brilliant.
DeleteOh wow, he's so brave! It looks like so much fun, but also petrifying! x
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm with you on this one The London Mum but he loved it!
Deletewow what an amazing gift, i bet he had an amazing time.
ReplyDeleteHe did thanks Melanie.
DeleteThis is an amazing gift idea!
ReplyDeleteNow Mel, this is am amazing gift, what a fantastic experience it looks and sounds x
ReplyDeleteIt was really excellent and he loved it.
DeleteWhat ana amazing experience, it must have been exhilarating.
ReplyDeleteWow this is a lovely gift. It looks like a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I always try to buy each other experiences now, rather than gifts. They are so much more fun.
ReplyDeleteThey are and you keep taking about it for months, even years later. He has driven luxury cars before too with buyagift and that was amazing as well.
DeleteHappy anniversary! What an awesome gift idea! Looks like your husband loved it X
ReplyDeleteMiss Kitty Kaos - Adventures Of A Riot Grrrl
What a cracking idea for a gift. Made of wood and canvas though - eep!
ReplyDelete