Since I was a teenager I wanted to fly open air in an ultralight aircraft. The all-around view and floating sensation while still being in a motorized aircraft had a lot of appeal. So I went for a Discovery Flight with the ultralight pilot and owner of Adventure Aviation Trike Flights, based out of the Lake Chelan Airport 3 miles northeast of Lake Chelan and the town of Chelan.

After suiting up in a flight suit that felt like a snowmobile suit, checking our helmet intercoms, and getting general instructions, I hopped in the rear tandem seat that is elevated higher than the pilot so as to better see over and around. I quickly got a neck muscle workout when aloft, pushing my head and helmet into the 60+mph wind blast from that position.

Takeoff and landing distances were relatively short because of the aircraft’s light weight and large fabric wing above. Once up, we banked right and headed south over the Lake Entiat section of the Columbia River, wine country vineyards, town of Chelan, Lake Chelan and its surrounding hills, and looked down into the frothing canyon of Chelan Falls. Terrific views all around, and a fun way to be a motorized bird.

2012-07-02 Lake Chelan Adventure Aviation Trike Flights ultralight aircraft suiting up

Suiting up and checking helmet



2012-07-02 Lake Chelan Adventure Aviation Trike Flights ultralight aircraft taxi from airport hangar

Taxiing from Lake Chelan Airport hangar



2012-07-02 Lake Chelan Adventure Aviation Trike Flights ultralight aircraft leaving airport hangar

Taxiiing out to runway



2012-07-02 Lake Chelan Adventure Aviation Trike Flights ultralight aircraft taxiing on runway

Lining up to get on runway for takeoff