Give your loved ones the magical gift of flight this Christmas. We have listed our top three gift experiences to take the stress out of shopping and make you everyone’s favourite gift giver.
Whether you have to buy for your grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces , children, parents, friends or co-workers there is a gift for everyone at AFTA.
Our flying lessons are the perfect way to take in the stunning coast of Cork, while also having the opportunity to take over the controls and experience the thrill of flying. Suitable for everyone in the family from ages 12 to 99.
Our 737 simulator experience takes you into the front seat of the flight deck. Our instructors will take you on a flight to a destination of your choice. For this experience you are the First Officer, so buckle up and taxi out under the guidance of an expert instructor. Our Boeing 737 NG Simulator is built from a real 737 with the latest graphics, it is the closest experience you will have to being a commercial pilot. Suitable for all the family.
Finally our Aerobatic flying lesson, is not for the faint hearted. Our Slingby T-67 was built for aerobatics, if you know someone who has a need for speed, always looking for a new experience, or loves the thrill and excitement of rollercoasters, this is the most unique gift you can give. They will never forget it.
Find out more about our top gifts below.
- New Book: Irish Air Spectacular
Irish Air Spectacular is a unique collection of spectacular aviation photography captured over Ireland. Featuring the work of renowned aviation photographer Frank Grealish and others, these images offer a unique air-to-air perspective of flight against the backdrop of our island.
The wonderful book will make an ideal Christmas gift and is avialble for €35 with all profits going to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Please e-mail us at [email protected] or call us on 021 4888737 to order your copy.
2. Airplane Flying Lesson
Give the unique gift of flight this Christmas! These vouchers make an ideal gift for someone who has not flown before and also for someone who is actively flying/training at the present time. It gives the would be pilot a unique insight into becoming a pilot. They will have the opportunity to handle the aircraft and also to enjoy the scenery from aloft where sights such as Cork Harbour, Kinsale, the west Cork coast to name but a few. This experience will remain forever as a fond memory of the day they got to fly their own aircraft. Don’t forget to bring your phone to capture those special moments!
60 minute Introductory Flight: €195
3. Cork From The Air by Dennis Horgan Photography
Not many people get to see their home from the air. The view from an airplane is short-lived and the close-up of the landscape disappears quickly. Dennis Horgan has flown extensively over Cork city and county to take spectacular photographs of its scenery and man-made features, which are gathered together in this unique collection. From the ruggedness of West Cork to the fertile lowlands of East Cork, this absorbing collection showcases the beauty of the landscape from a rarely seen and often unusual perspective. Take a tour of Cork’s varied landscape of coastline and mountain, rivers and lakes, ancient monastic sites and its colourful, vibrant city and towns.
This is available at AFTA for €25.00 per copy
4. Boeing 737 Simulator Experience
Experience the thrill of flying a jet airliner! Take control of a high-fidelity fixed-base Boeing 737 NG flight simulator, with assistance from our experienced instructors. The AFTA Boeing 737 Flight Experience offers an insight into the fascinating world of commercial aviation beyond the cockpit door. This is an ideal gift for all ages that will never be forgotten.
60 minute Boeing 737 simulator experience: €195
5. Aerobatic Flying Lesson
Have you ever felt like doing something completely different? Then go for it! Loop the Loop, Barrel Rolls, Cuban Eights, you name it, this is real flying! Experience the exhilaration that only aerobatic flying can give, when you take to the skies with one of Ireland’s top aerobatic pilots and perform these manoeuvres in our Bellanca Super Decathlon airplane. This will give you something to talk about for years to come……GO ON, TRY IT!
40 minutes aerobatic training flight: €195
6. New Book: Pat Punch – A 50 Year Journey in the Sky
Cork Airport based pilot Pat Punch celebrates 50 years of flying this year and to celebrate he has written a book to document his memories and experiences during that time. Pat started flying in 1970 with Munster Aero Club at Cork Airport and was a founding member of Centenary Flying Group in 2003. They have been flying Cessna 172, appropriately registered G-EICK, since 2007. That particular aircraft is featured on the cover of this book.
In November Pat celebrated 50 year’s flying light aircraft and the book, written entirely since the first COVID lockdown in March, is about that ’50 year journey in the sky’.
The proceeds from the book are for two very worthy causes, Marymount Hospice, Cork and Cork ARC-Cancer Support House. The book is available at AFTA at €10.00 per copy.