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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to worry about DS going for a flight in a light plane?

176 replies

crackofdoom · 01/10/2020 21:39

XP has just texted to say that he has a friend who is a pilot flying down to visit in a light plane in a few days' time, and can he take DS1 (10) up for a flight?

I'm torn. DS would love this. I feel terrified. I'm fairly scared of flying anyway, manage to keep it down when necessary, but to be honest the thought of the DC flying scares me more than the thought of me flying myself! DS was due to fly on a school trip this spring - which was cancelled due to COVID - I was a bit scared for him, but the trip was such an opportunity, and I know that commercial flights are really very safe, so I managed to keep it down.

But this one....? Can anybody talk some sense into me about realistically how safe light amateur flights are?

OP posts:
EggyPegg · 01/10/2020 22:22

I've been a passenger in, and on another occasion, flown a light aircraft. It is a fantastic experience! I'd let my DC go providing it was good conditions weather wise. But the pilot should be sensible enough to make that call.

They're usually 4 seaters so presumably your ex could go up with him too.

tttigress · 01/10/2020 22:22

I think it would be a great experience, you do realise flying is s lot safer than driving?

How ridiculous would it be to write a post AIBU to not let me son ride in a car!!

MushyMushi · 01/10/2020 22:23

@TheVanguardSix

And how many car accidents are there every day? Compared to, say, the daily number of light aircraft crashes.

I see your point, but if a plane crashes, that's it. Toast.

In a light aircraft, that simply isn’t true.

Planes don’t drop out of the sky. It’s a physical impossibility (unless a wing falls off).

You can land a light aircraft safely in virtually any field if anything did go wrong. They glide safely down.

Crashes just don’t happen in every day life. Someone has to make a serious error (one that means they fall far below the standard of a competent or average pilot) for a catastrophe to happen.

Chocomel · 01/10/2020 22:24

My kids did it and loved it. They still talk about it 10 years later. I would say yes. It's not like he'll be flying the plane himself...

HowFastIsTooFast · 01/10/2020 22:26

I've been in a few, including when I was 15 with my boyfriend at the time (his Dad's plane) and I don't think my Mum even knew until afterwards.

He's safer in the plane than in the car on the way there. I'd let him, notwithstanding this weekends horrendous weather forecast if you're in the UK. Obviously going flying in a storm would be a no.

To PP's mentioning how many accidents you hear off; in comparison to how many light aircraft flights there are it's a tiny, tiny, tiny percentage.

randomchap · 01/10/2020 22:28

It's extremely safe. Your DS will resent you for not allowing him. Not many children his age will have that experience. Don't let your irrational fears take this from your child.

SenorFrog · 01/10/2020 22:32

I'd have no problem either, I'd let him go

Bumpsadaisie · 01/10/2020 22:33

I'm a bit open mouthed at all the no way responses, tbh.

Cars are much more dangerous but you wouldn't think twice about any old friend giving your DS a lift.

Don't deprive your DS of an amazing opportunity!

StanfordPines · 01/10/2020 22:33

I’m staggered at all the people saying no.

When I was that age my parents had a couple of friends with light aircraft licenses. As you may know to retain your license you have to do so many hours of flying in a year. We would often get calls asking if we would like to go on a flight with them. One lad couldn’t drive so we would drive him to the airfield. BIL and his partner can both fly and I’ve flown with them.

Dinosaurus86 · 01/10/2020 22:36

Just out of interest - which airlines wouldn’t they be allowed on @IcyApril? Any of the well known ones?

pollylocketpickedapocket · 01/10/2020 22:41

God I'm the most anxious parent there is but isn't there more risk in a kid riding their bike on a road ??? Or even crossing the road??? Sure I hear more stories of kids being knocked down than incidents of light airplane crashes?
I'd let him have a go, only once mind! Especially if he'd love it

yelyah22 · 01/10/2020 22:45

We live near a very small airport, went up a few times with a family friend (who's a commercial pilot) when we were kids! I know a fair few people who flew their own solo flights very young too - it really is much safer than many things you presumably let your son do every day without even considering it!

And it's so much fun. Let him have this experience!

Soonbechrimbo · 01/10/2020 22:49

I wouldn't and I'm generally laid back parenting wise.

AgeLikeWine · 01/10/2020 22:53

Of course you should let him do it. Do you allow him to travel in a car? Ride a bike? Skateboard? All these activities have an element of risk attached to them, so please try to keep the risk of flying in some sort of rational perspective.

I get that you are scared of flying, but it is both unfair and selfish of you to project your fears onto your poor son. This flight will be a fun, enjoyable experience for him. Please don’t deprive him of that.

JunkCrumpet · 01/10/2020 22:53

Of course YABU. It's an irrational fear that's not based on the genuine dangers involved. Too many women on here think it's ok to project irrational behaviours onto your children and it isn't.

Averyyounggrandmaofsix · 01/10/2020 22:56

It's a yes from me, I think he's very lucky to have the chance.

Feellikedancingyeah · 01/10/2020 22:56

My dad had a private pilots licence and I flew with him a few times. It's safe !

HowFastIsTooFast · 01/10/2020 22:58

Just to add to my previous response, my flight in a light aircraft when I was 15 is one of my clearest and best memories from my childhood and teens. It felt like the best and most unbelievably exciting day of my life at the time. Don't deny him that based on your own (irrational but understandable) fears.

AgeLikeWine · 01/10/2020 22:59

Too many women on here think it's ok to project irrational behaviours onto your children and it isn't.

👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

MarkRuffaloCrumble · 01/10/2020 23:00

As long as the friend was a sensible sort (which they must be to have got their pilot licence) and they’re not the type to show off or pull pranks etc I’d be ok with it. But then I have family working in the aviation industry so it’s not an unknown quantity. I still hate flying whether large or small aircraft, but I couldn’t convince XH that he shouldn’t take the DCs flying even if I wanted to. But then I trust him to only take them with someone experienced and responsible.

emptyshelvesagain · 01/10/2020 23:00

Oh god of course it's ok. Light aircraft, hundreds of them, fly about the U.K. every day of the week with absolutely no issues.

MondeoFan · 01/10/2020 23:01

I'd be uncomfortable with it but wouldn't want to spoil his fun. It's a hard one. I'd probably end up saying yes but feeling totally sick about it.

Graffitiqueen · 01/10/2020 23:03

I'm also baffled so many are saying no?!

I would absolutely let my kids do this.

VenusClapTrap · 01/10/2020 23:07

Absolutely I’d let him go! He’ll love it. I learnt to fly in my early twenties when I could afford to blow all my disposable income on lessons. Happy days.

edwinbear · 01/10/2020 23:08

I’d be OK if I knew the pilot personally. I’m not sure I’d let mine go up with someone I didn’t know and trust. And I have had a flying lesson which was amazing, but obviously with an instructor.