Discover the region from another angle by gaining height

A breathtaking view of Cap-d’Agde from the flying club’s plane, the PA28 Patti Delaspre

Avant chaque départ, le pilote fait un tour de l’appareil pour vérifier si tout est aux normes. Patti Delaspre

L’aéroclub Béziers Cap-d’Agde propose des sorties tout l’été en ULM ou en avion, pour découvrir les paysages de la région.

Water as far as the eye can see, expanses of bright green fields and boats waiting in the port… It is not a dream that is taking shape before our eyes, but rather the sumptuous landscapes of the region.

Sylvain Gimenez has been a volunteer pilot for two years now at the Béziers Cap-d'Agde Aeroclub. With his helmet under his arm and his notebook in hand, the young pilot is about to take the Piper PA28 out of the hangar, one of the planes he uses to take tourists and locals for first flights.

“People come out with smiles on their faces”

Several flight offers are available at the Béziers Cap-d’Aéroclub. The discovery flight, as its name suggests, allows you to discover part of the region accompanied by a first-time pilot who will guide you throughout the trip.“We fly people for fun. Tourists or locals who are not necessarily interested in aviation, but rather in the idea of ​​discovering the region in an original way, seen from the sky”, says Sylvain.

For 30 minutes, the volunteer pilots of the flying club take thrill seekers on a route designed in the form of a loop. "We leave from the Béziers flying club, we see the Bagnas nature reserve, without flying over it because it’s prohibited. We go to Mèze, where we discover the Thau pond and the entire shellfish growing area with the oyster tables, the Lido beach, and an improbable view of Sète and Marseillan. Then, we follow the coastline, pass the beaches of Agde, and fly over the fort of Brescou. We continue past the Grau d’Agde to the mouth of the Hérault with La Tamarissière, we go up almost to the mouth of the department of l’ Aude, then we return to land at the flying club, explains the pilot.

"Half of people who fly for the first time feel some reluctance at first. It’s a small plane so they fear that it will move a lot, that it will be scary, or even that we will end up on our backs. But in reality, 99.5% of the time, if not 100% of the time, people come out with a smile on their face, stars in their eyes and the desire to do it again", enchants Sylvain.

Life at the Aeroclub

The Aeroclub Béziers Cap-d'Agde is an association made up of nearly 50 volunteers, including 4 instructors. “Most of the time is devoted to the aviation school, which allows future pilots, whether they are young people aspiring to become airline pilots or older people, to retirement, to prepare for the private pilot's license (PPL)”, explains Sylvain Gimenez. Currently, nearly 40 students are registered at the aeroclub.

In addition to the activities of the aeroclub, the association of amateur constructors (RSA) has been manufacturing a brand new aircraft for 8 years, the Oceanair, which will soon be presented to the general public. Discovery flights can be made at board this innovative aircraft.

“We sometimes create passions”

Although the discovery flight is only a taste of what future pilots could experience, Sylvain is delighted to “sometimes create new passions at the end of these flights”. For this, introductory flights are also offered at the flying club. “The introductory flight is between the discovery flight and the piloting flight. It's for those who would like to fly but haven't decided yet,”, explains the pilot. In this case, they are not accompanied by a first-time pilot, but by an instructor. The circuit remains the same as for the discovery flight, but the instructor is allowed to pass the controls to the passenger. “It's to confirm this desire to fly,” adds Sylvain. An excellent way to continue exploring the profession, and why not, become a pilot one day.

Flight from 60 euros per person. Information and reservations at 0

4 67 90 99 30

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