Up in the Air – Angeles City Flying Club, Pampanga

April 6, 2020July 27, 2021 Rex Lim Lim EXTREME ACTIVITIES, TRAVEL GUIDE

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Angeles City Flying Club definitely gave me a different kind oh high, find out why here!

“You do this to control the Ailerons, while if you do this, it will control the elevators” Sir Michael briefly instructed as he languidly shifted the aircraft’s joystick from left to right. Then in a few seconds we’re hundreds of feet up in the air. Fear turned into bliss. Time started to slow down as I took full control of the aircraft.

Angeles or Magalang?

Table of Contents

If you are looking for a brand new experience, then the nearest one from Metro Manila would be the Angeles City Flying Club.

Angeles City Flying Club is a non-profit flying club and school. Their objective is to share with everyone the joy of flying with an ultralight plane or other variations such as Sport Aircraft and Microlight.

Originally their airport was located in Angeles City in Pampanga. But due to commercialization, they moved to Magalang, Pampanga inside the much larger Woodland Airpark.

This flying club caters to several kinds of aircraft and one can enroll as a full time member. Alternatively, one can also walk-in and/or book in advance to avail their trial flights at corresponding prices.

This entitles you to a one (1) day membership wherein they will teach you some of the basics of ultralight flying. Right after, one can also enjoy the view of planes taking off while having snacks and coffee at their airport cafe. You can also spend time by the pool or lounge at the provided cottages.

The Shift

I planned a solo trip spontaneously that day without any prior bookings with the Angeles Flying Club.

The compound is quite hidden near the solitary Mt. Arayat. Upon arrival, the buzzing sound of ultralights resonated from everywhere. I signed up at the Guardhouse and proceeded to the office to register.

Luckily, slots were available and I can have a trial flight that day. Sweet!

Upon signing waivers and personal sheets, their friendly staff handed me over to Sir Michael Albrecht. He was an Advanced Flight Instructor of ACFC, and he immediately instructed me to follow him while handing over a pair of safety glasses and ear-muffs.

During Sundays, guests and members frequent the area. Majority of the flight instructors are foreign nationals including the one assigned to me. “This is how you navigate the aircraft” said Sir Michael. “You steer this to control the Pitch (side-to-side), this one the Yaw (vertical axis), and this one, the Roll ( front-to-back axis)”.

“I don’t actually care about your GoPro if it falls down, but strap it up and don’t let it get caught up with the propellers. Or else, we will be spending the rest of the afternoon with the Carabaos” he added.

I was excited to fly with him. A technical staff prepared the two-seater plane and buckled me up. Engine started with a faint rumble, that sound made me tense up a little bit. Then without any further ado, we traversed the grassy runway until we reached the end.

There was this drag as we gained speed on the runway. Wind came from all the corners of the plane during the take-off. We gradually gained momentum until the wheels started to create a large gap from the runway.

Then, there’s the shift, a little pressure started to build up in my ears. What started as a fear-inducing, leg wobbling flight – all turned into heightened feelings of excitement and euphoria. Turbulence made the ride even more exciting.

A Different Kind of High

I only availed the fifteen (15) minute trial flight since it was quite expensive. I expected that the flight will be really short, but I still availed anyway, charge to experience. But up in there, time started to slow down as we passed swiftly over rectangular patches of paddies, meandering rivers, winding provincial roads and small barangays.

Mt. Arayat loomed faintly from a distance on that summer afternoon.

Sir Michael then handed the joystick for me to control the plane. I was hesitant to control the aircraft myself at first, but I did it anyway. The plane suddenly wobbled and I panicked a little bit.

I eventually managed to stabilize the ultralight from the draft of wind coming at us. Man, it was awesome to be up there flying on your own. It was a different kind of high.

For almost ten minutes, I held on to that joystick ’cause my life actually depends on it. Sir Michael made funny faces while I also took pictures midflight.

It was this day that I became an ultralight pilot. But not in the Volt Cruiser like how I planned when I was a kid to apply at the Camp Big Falcon.

Man, this is definitely the dream.”

What Goes Up, Must Come Down

Fifteen minutes passed and we turned around to start the landing. Smoothly, we descended down and carefully touched the ground. Unbuckling my seat belt, Sir Michael congratulated me for not barfing up during the flight. He shook my hand for a job well done.

I was also allowed to roam around the hangars and found out that more planes are stowed inside.

How To Get There:

From Manila, several bus companies headed north passes by the Dau Bus Terminal, fare starts at 135php for the Victory Liner. (Travel Time: 1.5hrs)
From Dau in Mabalacat, Pampanga walk towards the McArthur Highway and wait for Jeepneys bound for Concepcion. Tell the driver to drop you off at the Dolores-Magalang Intersection or simply tell them you are going to the Angeles City Flying Club, fare is 20php. (Travel Time: 20minutes)

For free shuttle courtesy of ACFC, pick up time is 07:00 AM. Drop off time is 05:00 PM (Mon/Tue/Wed/Thurs) and 05:30 PM (Fri/Sat/Sun) Office hours.
Alight at the intersection and charter a tricycle to take you to their compound in Brgy. Sta. Maria, fare is at 70php/trip. (Travel Time: 10-15 minutes)
For the flying rates, please see below:
15 minutes – 2888.00
20 minutes – 3888.00
30 minutes – 4888.00
45 minutes – 6888.00
60 minutes – 7888.00
Inclusive of one (1) day free membership, in line with that you can use their facilities (swimming pool and nipa hut) for free. Rates are per person or aircraft. The aircraft are two seaters, flying will only be you and the pilot.
Maximum weight limit is 100kg (220lbs).
Best time to fly is in the morning, between 08:30am to 10:30am.
They accept Debit Cards and Credit Cards, no ATM Machines nearby, if going to ACFC Compound after Dau Bus Terminal.