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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:
Vallhala · 06/09/2011 17:28

2 is too young to behave appropriately and thus there is a risk factor. If it wasn't for that I'd say hell, go for it, the risk in other ways is very small indeed.

My DD is 14 and is soon to be taking to the sky in a microlight. Not my idea of fun, I want to learn to fly the "real ones" but she's going to love it, I'm sure.

Oh god, this is gonna get mighty expensive...! :o

BlueFergie · 06/09/2011 17:31

No, No way, No how, not ever.

A 2.6 year old in a microlight with no one there to supervise him or control/ comfort him except the person who is meant to be flying the aircraft (persumably this is a job the requires max attention)? And this young child has known issues with loud sounds?

Absoloutly out of the question, and I would be seriously worried about the sanity of a person who suggested it.

notlettingthefearshow · 06/09/2011 17:32

I wouldn't let him go - particularly if he doesn't like loud noises and might get upset.

Has DS actually expressed an interest in going? He's way too young to understand what it is and how terrifying it could be.

I would wait a couple of years, or a lot more!

GetAwayFromHerYouBitch · 06/09/2011 17:34

This is looking unanimous ......

stayforthekids1 · 06/09/2011 17:35

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Seriously.

Catsmamma · 06/09/2011 17:36

oh and...you say MY dp and MY ds

is he the father of the child? cos if he is YOU need a bit of a smack for that.

LadyBeagleEyes · 06/09/2011 17:39

God no.
Trying to control a microlite with a screaming toddler that you can't comfort.
And as others have said, what would be the point?
What would a 2 year old get out of it, it would be totally meaningless.
Tell your DH to take him to the swings instead.

Original poster
JoannaGlumley · 06/09/2011 17:59

Thanks for the replies.
I agree that it's far more about DP than DS. One of his friends took his six month old up which I think is stark raving bonkers

OP posts:
SouthernFriedTofu · 06/09/2011 18:00

The thing is, it is a risky thing to do but the payoff is the amazing feeling and tremendous views and adrenaline buzz. I don't think a 2yo would get any of the payoff tbh. He simply wouldn't get it. So it's taking a risk because your husband wants bragging rights. So, no. Selfish of husband to want to

WHat a very good point allhailtheaubergine what is the 2 year old going to get out this op's husband?

SouthernFriedTofu · 06/09/2011 18:01

One of his friends took his six month old up why? Confused what does dh of that?

CurrySpice · 06/09/2011 18:05

I think somone needs to bring down the gavel :o

Mabelface · 06/09/2011 18:05

Personally, I think your DH is being bloody selfish wanting bragging rights. A 2 year old in a microlight? Don't be so bloody stupid, Mr knob.

LeBOF · 06/09/2011 18:09

Taking a six month old baby up in a microlight is just pointless and dangerous. Does he dangle babies over balconies too?

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 06/09/2011 18:13

It's the kind of ridiculous projecting that makes people dress their small children in Nirvana tops like I did much to DP's disgust. On steroids.

izzywhizzyletsgetbusy · 06/09/2011 18:41

Just made a quick call to my pilot pa and asked him whether he'd take a child (I didn't specify any age) up in a microlight.

His reply was 'Hell, no way. Microlighting is an adrenaline sport for adults' and kids shouldn't be allowed anywhere near those machines'.

I reminded him of our adventures in the Beagle and he said that, in retrospect, he now thinks 8 was too young and 12-14 would have been a more appropriate age.

He pointed out that in the Beagle we sat beside him where he could see exactly what we were up to (which was looking down at the patchwork of fields and buildings below us and watching what he was doing at the controls while listening to his running commentary).

I mentioned safety stats for microlights and he said that any stats most probably only show fatalities, but he's aware that many serious injuries have been caused when microlights and other light aircraft are running on the ground. For this reason he wouldn't let a child in one unless it was firmly anchored in one place, and preferably nowhere near any others.

FTR, Mr Glumley is a knob/dickhead/twat/twunt/plonker/prat (delete where appropriate)

Reminds OP to up Mr Glumley's life insurance.

TandB · 06/09/2011 18:44

No bloody way! And I am the daughter of a flying instructor and pretty much grew up on an airfield, hitching lifts in planes whenever there was space and even going up with the stunt pilots.

No way on this earth would I be letting DS up in a microlight.

TheBigJessie · 06/09/2011 19:01

Sounds like the best way to ensure your little boy grows up to be phobic of flying!

Good Fog! Don't let this happen. It could be a horrific experience for your son.

exoticfruits · 06/09/2011 19:03

You must have set a record-all of us saying YANBU. Smile

SnakeOnCrack · 06/09/2011 19:33

Hell to the noooo!

What are his reasons for taking a toddler who hates loud noises and won't really understand what is going on up?

Original poster
JoannaGlumley · 06/09/2011 20:18

Dp thinks DS will enjoy it and that if he takes him for a really quick flight, if he hates it, it will be over really quickly.
To be fair, he is a really good pilot. But this also means he doesn't acknowledge that there is a risk even though friends have been killed and injured doing it.
I'm glad that it's pretty unanimous, definitely makes my case stronger!

OP posts:
Deesus · 06/09/2011 20:20

Definitely no! Wait till he's older...I don't remember anything from that age really so it'd be a bit pointless in any event. Would just possible scare him...as well as safety issues mentioned by previous posters.

umf · 06/09/2011 20:24

Nope. Not even if hell freezes over.

SnapesMistress · 06/09/2011 20:32

Never, not for a toddler

CurrySpice · 06/09/2011 20:34

Will he be a really good pilot with a sobbing 2 yo to distract him I wonder?

Haberdashery · 06/09/2011 20:35

God, no. In three or four years time it will be the most exciting thing that has ever happened to him (or even more years, perhaps, depending on the child). Right now it sounds completely bonkers.