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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu or a bit pfb?

130 replies

JoannaGlumley · 06/09/2011 16:17

My DP flies a microlight and is really pushing to take my DS who is 2.6 up with him. I am not so keen but he's accusing me of being over cautious and pfb so I am after some opinions.
The microlight is just like a very small plane so is enclosed and he wouldn't need a helmet, he would be strapped in. DS has sat in it lots of times and taxied round with the engine off and hasn't seemed bothered. My main problem is that normally he hates loud noises, I can't use the Hoover, hairdryer, blender when he is in the room. It would only be a short flight but I'd worry that if he started kicking off he would distract DP. There also wouldn't be anyone to comfort him.

I also worry that he doesn't really get that the plane he sits in is the same as the planes in the sky so while he can recite the words 'the plane goes up in the clouds' he doesn't understand and it would be a huge huge shock.

So what do you think as I really am being made to feel like a killjoy? And what age would you let your kids go?

I've name changed so I can show this to DP and he can't see my history!!

OP posts:
Mario11 · 06/09/2011 16:18

god no wot if he falls and splats

LeBOF · 06/09/2011 16:18

No, I wouldn't let him go up at that age. Possibly older, when he's over the loud noises fear, but you have a reasonable safety concern there, IMO.

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 06/09/2011 16:20

No sodden way, those things are dangerous.

eurochick · 06/09/2011 16:20

The loud noises fear would put me off. And he is still at the "grabby" stage. It would be awful if he touched something he shouldn't while he was up there. When he is older hopefully he will be better with noise and likely to be better at not touching what he shouldn't.

nocake · 06/09/2011 16:21

I wouldn't let him go until you're confident that he won't be scared by the loud noise and he's old enough to understand that he can't misbehave while he's in the plane.

ll31 · 06/09/2011 16:21

can't imagine why anyone would let 2 yr old do that to be honest

Marymaryalittlecontrary · 06/09/2011 16:22

I think you have valid reasons for not wanting him to go up. Why risk it now when it will only be a couple more years before he will be old enough to understand what will happen and old enough to decide himself if he would like to go up?

DioneTheDiabolist · 06/09/2011 16:23

Your DP is the pilot and the dad, therefore I think you should trust him. He is aware of his flying abilities. He knows his son. Let your DS go. If he really doesn't like it, his dad can stop and they can get out.

I think you're being a bit PFB.

LetThereBeRock · 06/09/2011 16:24

YADNBU.I wouldn't consider it for a minute.

SouthernFriedTofu · 06/09/2011 16:26

Um hell to the no.

clam · 06/09/2011 16:26

I am the least fussy mother in the world, but I wouldn't behappy about this.

Sorry Mr Glumley!

eaglewings · 06/09/2011 16:32

No way would I let a kid that young go, how would his dad handle it if he kicked off?

dirtydishesmakemesad · 06/09/2011 16:34

I wouldnt let my two year old. I dont think i am over protective but i would worry.

CurrySpice · 06/09/2011 16:35

I am very relaxed mom and was ready to roll my eyes at your PFBishness but christonabike, there's no way I wold let a toddler go up in one of those!!!

GetAwayFromHerYouBitch · 06/09/2011 16:38

I wouldn't let him go.

He may well not enjoy it. it's very dangerous, and he won't remember it (probably) when he's older. To me, it's akin to allowing a 2.6 year old on a motorbike.

GetAwayFromHerYouBitch · 06/09/2011 16:40

Good point, from marymary, about him not being old enough to decide whether he wants to go up or not.

atosilis · 06/09/2011 16:43

Is that even legal? Maybe they should put warnings for the bleeding obvious - don't take children under 3 in microlights.

Catsmamma · 06/09/2011 16:46

i am right in thinking a microlight is one of these glorified hanggliders??

with a shopping basket for the pilot to sit in?

I think YANBU!

dearie me what is he thinking?

RitaMorgan · 06/09/2011 16:48

Er, no - it's dangerous, possibly scary for a toddler, and what is your ds going to get out of the experience anyway?

If he was 6 and really keen to do it then maybe, but a 2 year old will barely understand what's going on.

gapants · 06/09/2011 16:48

No no no no

EricNorthmansMistress · 06/09/2011 16:53

No fucking way. When he's 10, maybe. 2.6? Shock No fucking way. I feel vomitous just thinking about Ds up in one :(

iklboo · 06/09/2011 16:53

He can't 'just stop & they can get out' though. They're flying around. He'll need tower permission to land. What if the little one kicks off & they're nowhere near a safe landing place?
YANBU. I'd ask your DH to wait until DS is older.

southmum · 06/09/2011 16:55

no fookin way, Im also struggling to see what your DS would get out if it and IMO your DP only wants to do it for his own selfish reasons (macho oooh look at me taking my DS up in a paper plane etc etc)

No no and thrice no

schroeder · 06/09/2011 17:00

Another definite no from me!

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 06/09/2011 17:01

Fuck no.

Is it actually legal to allow a minor to fly like that? Confused

10 would be the absolute minimum for me - once they have at least some handle (albeit a weak one) on the concept of risk and can (kind of) make a proper decision as to whether or not they want to take that risk.