A Cessna sense of flying

Last Saturday the 22nd of August, I finally ticked a milestone off the bucket list by taking a Cessna 172 flight from Point Cook to Melbourne. What an exhilarating experience it was!

Up, up and away!

Here's the video recap of the flight if you want to relive the whole experience (complete with jet sound effects for the #avgeeks in the room)

Operated by a good friend of mine (who happens to be a qualified pilot) out of the RMIT Flight Training School at RAAF's Point Cook base, the flight was a unique opportunity to try a different kind of aircraft and savour some amazing views/videos of Melbourne in the process.

The RMIT Flight Training School in Point Cook

The Cessna 172 aircraft

For some reason, despite the repeated assurances of the pilot and the strong safety record of the RAAF fleet, I was a little apprehensive about flying in a non-commercial aircraft. Turns out, I had scant reason to be afraid, as the flight turned out to be smooth, incredibly comfortable and much more illuminating than the commercial flights I've been on previously. 

Seeing Melbourne from a new perspective

Flying much lower to the ground gives you the chance to see your surroundings (other aircraft, birds, the city below) in beautifully micro detail, while also hearing the pleasing thrum of aircraft terminology in the background...

Melbourne behaving nicely on a Sunday morning

Docklands (including the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel)

The Richmond sports precinct (including the MCG) and Melbourne CBD in background

Apparently, the views are at a whole other level once the sun goes down. That might be the scene of my next adventure!