Wednesday 30 / October / 2024
There is a constant, never ending debate about what the best thing to do in Oman is. People, like me, are perpetually torn between taking friends or relatives who are on an extremely short visit to the desert or the beaches or the mountains. I mean, that’s the problem you face when you live in a country that’s as beautiful as ours. But now, I think I’ve found a solution.
Who, at least once in their lives, hasn’t dreamed of flying? Here in Oman, this is one activity that can be hard to find, and for a long time, I simply had to wait for the annual Muscat Festival to get my thrill on some of the high-flying rides. But now, that has all changed.
SkySchool, a premier para-sporting school that has been operating successfully around the globe for the past 13-years, has finally opened here in Oman. Though the name sounds magical, the instruction is serious, with a certified APPI syllabus available to any sky-loving enthusiasts who want to parasail, paraglide, or paramotor on their own. Upon completion of the course, students receive an APPI pilot licence that will allow them to fly on their own in most parts of the world.
SkySchool is not just about teaching semi-pros, it is also about letting total beginners and the curious among us to experience life above the clouds. So, for those who just want to relax and enjoy the view without having to do too much, Tandem Flights with an instructor are on offer.
I was familiar with parasailing and paragliding, but I’d never heard of paramotoring. A rapidly developing airsport, paramotoring is also known as powered gliding. It is an evolution in paragliding that uses a foot-launched ultra-light aircraft. Paramotoring using the same basic mechanisms as paragliding, with the only difference being that instead of depending on a cliff top, strong breeze, or thermals, paramotoring uses an engine, which lets you enjoy the activity anywhere, anytime.
Beyond the thrill of getting airborne, this sport is the absolute best way to see the beauty of Oman from a whole new perspective as you soar over ocean, desert, and hill. So next time I have out-of-town visitors, or I’m simply craving the chance to get off of solid ground, I know exactly where I’ll be headed. —[email protected]
SkySchool Oman
skyschooloman.com
+968 9786 0115
Take a Ride
Tandem flights are available for those who just want to enjoy the view. OMR 60 for a 20-minute ride.
Learn to Fly
The paramotoring course starts with basic training that includes lectures, ground handling of the wings, and learning about the engines. After the lecture, you will go on your first flight, which will be monitored by the Chief Flying Instructor, who has more than 20 years of experience. OMR 650 for 12 days course including lessons, exams, kit, equipment, and fuel.
