Looking for pure thrills? Climb aboard a ULM pendular, the flying machine closest to Icarus' dream: sitting in the open air, with no fuselage around you, only the wind and the sky surrounding you. At the Meaux-Esbly aerodrome, just 45 minutes from Paris, France ULM opens the doors to this thrilling aerial sport through an introductory flight supervised by a certified DGAC instructor.

The pendulum (also called a “flying cart”) is a motorized hang glider: you sit astride, in tandem with your instructor, under a large flexible sail that catches the wind. This is one of the purest and most accessible ways to discover flying: no license required, no experience required, just the desire to fly.

How does your introductory flight work?

Upon arrival at the Meaux-Esbly aerodrome, you are welcomed by your instructor, who introduces you to the machine, the safety regulations, and the flight procedure during a full briefing on the ground. You are fitted with a helmet with an intercom, which allows you to communicate with your instructor throughout the flight, both to ask questions and to receive explanations about the piloting.

Once in the air, your instructor first takes the controls for takeoff and then gradually lets you take part in the flying, in complete safety: you feel the movements of the machine, the effect of the wind on the sail, and you can, if you wish, hold the stick and steer the machine yourself under the supervision of your instructor. You will fly over the countryside of Seine-et-Marne, its villages, fields, and waterways, with an unobstructed 180° view, with no windshield to block your view of the horizon.

Upon drop-off, a debriefing with your instructor concludes the experience: an opportunity to reflect on the sensations you experienced, to ask your final questions and, why not, to consider what comes next if you've been won over by the desire to fly.

Three flight durations to choose from

This activity is offered in three packages, to suit your wishes and your budget:

20 minutes: an introduction to pendulum piloting, ideal for discovering the sensations without a time commitment.

30 minutes: a more comprehensive flight, with more time at the controls and a longer flight over the surrounding countryside.

40 minutes: the most immersive experience, to fully enjoy the flying and the landscape, with time to really take control of the aircraft.

Please note: In the case of a booking for 2 people, each participant flies individually, one after the other, in tandem with the instructor (the powered hang glider is a two-seater piloted by the instructor with only one passenger at a time).

Whether you're passionate about aviation, looking for thrills, or simply curious to discover what it feels like to be in the sky without a cockpit around you, this introductory flight in a powered hang glider is an unforgettable experience.