Solo grey nomad Jeff C reckons he travels with the ultimate campsite conversation starter … his very own two-seat aircraft!
The ‘aerochute’ – which looks like a go kart with a parachute attached – packs away in the back of Jeff’s modified 20’ Gazelle Infinity caravan and totally transforms his travelling experience.
As well as people eager to chat about his prized ‘toy’, there’s no shortage of brave fellow grey nomads eager to hitch a ride.
“They normally sort of just hint they wouldn’t mind going up,” said Jeff, 67. “But that’s good because the weight distribution means it actually flies better with two people.”
The aerochute packs away neatly into Jeff’s caravan
Of the hundreds of people Jeff has flown with, the vast majority have been women … and not just because they must weigh less than 100kg.
“Plenty of men have one look at the aerochute and say ‘I’m not going up in that thing’,” he said. “But you’d be surprised how many women instantly say ‘I’d love to give it a go’.”
Easy to operate and with the ability to take off from beaches and paddocks, the machine flies at about 45km/h at an altitude of anywhere from 5 to a 5,000 feet, but only in perfect weather. The flying experience is described as like ‘sitting in an armchair in the sky’.
As the aerochute’s engine is at its rear and it has a low nose, the front of the plane actually fits under Jeff’s bed in his caravan.
“I only actually lose about 3 feet of the caravan and I can still use the toilet with the plane in there, but I have to share it with a landing wheel!” said Jeff. “However, it’s just me and my companion dog, Sam, so it doesn’t matter too much .., although the plane has to come out when I need a shower.”
Another big plus of travelling with an aerochute is that an ancient law still permits pilots to camp next to their aircraft in country airports.
“I just pull up my caravan at an airport and, if an official challenges me, I just confidently explain the rules,” said Jeff. “They tend to leave me alone when they realise I’m pretty unique and it’s certainly saved me a few dollars.”
Jeff, who also scuba dives as he travels, reckons life is pretty good.
“I have to pinch myself every day,” he said. “I really am one of the luckiest grey nomads in the world.”
And who would argue?
