5 ways to take off

If the Flugtag has inspired you to aeronautical feats, here

GLIDING LESSON The London Gliding Club (based in the leafier surroundings of Dunstable) can arrange a trial gliding lesson for £65. You'll go to 2,000 feet and spend about 20 minutes in the air. £170 buys you a whole day with free flights and lunch. Call 01582 663 419, or visit www.londonglidingclub.co.uk.

MICROLIGHT FLIGHT You can take a half-hour microlight flight along the Thames or visit beauty spots in Oxfordshire by contacting Thames Valley Microlight Centre at Ipsden near Reading. You pay from £65 for a session in an open or enclosed cockpit craft. Call Dennis Pearson on 07931 593 177, or visit www.tvmc.info.

HELICOPTER TOUR Head down to Redhill Aerodrome near Gatwick Airport and you can take a 40-minute helicopter flight for £125. A trial flying lesson (30-min briefing, plus 30-min flight) costs £130. Call 01737 823 514, or visit www. londonhelicopters.co.uk.

PARAGLIDING DAY Green Dragons Airsports at Woldingham, Surrey runs onedayhangliding and paragliding courses where you learn coordination, take-off and landing skills and then try five low-level flights. You pay £135 on weekdays, £150 at weekends. Call 01883 652 666, or visit www.greendragons.co.uk.

BIGGLES FLIES AGAIN Red Letter Days can organise old-style flights in either a Tiger Moth or De Havilland biplane. You pay from £195 and the biplane flight takes you on a tour of London sights. Both planes take off from the Imperial War Museum site at Duxford. Call 0870 444 4004, or visit www.redletterdays.co.uk.