Dahican Beach in Mati, Davao Oriental is already a sight to behold from eye level, but soaring over the whole area on an Ultralight Plane offers an even more stunning perspective. There’s just something really thrilling about boarding a tiny aircraft with no windows and doors and flying over bodies of water and land. If you’re heading to Davao Oriental, this is one of the most unique activities you can do there.

Ultralight aviation involves flying on lightweight, 1- or 2-seat fixed-wing aircrafts. After ticking off Skydiving and Bungy Jumping, flying on an Ultralight Plane was just one of those activities on my long bucketlist of things to do. I was expecting an extreme ride, but it was surprisingly relaxing just flying over the landscape. You don’t want the experience to end as you just soar over the scenery.

Discovery Flights are operated by the Mindanao Saga Flying Club (MSFC), a flight school based in Bgy. Dahican, Mati City, Davao Oriental. The Trial Instructional Flights are 15-minute flights those who want to just try flying in an ultralight aircraft. You’re in the hands of a certified pilot who controls everything, so you can just sit back and enjoy the ride.

There are two types of aircrafts that you can choose to ride: an open ultralight and a closed light sport aircraft with doors and a floor. The open aircraft is a favorite of tourists since it offers a more thrilling ride and gives an unobstructed view, which adds to the quality of the experience. It’s also slightly cheaper compared to riding the closed door aircraft.

Flying on Ultralight Planes is a highly weather dependent activity. To ensure the safety of pilots and passengers, flights may be cancelled without prior notice especially if it rains or if the winds are too gusty. According to MSFC, the best time to fly is early morning, as soon as the sun rises (about 6:30 am to 8:00 am). This is the time when the winds are at its calmest and it is not too hot yet.

By 9:00 to 10:00 am, the winds start to pick up and become gusty and this goes on until late afternoon. According to MSFC, sometimes the winds die down at 4:00 pm and they can resume flying, but there’s no guarantee that there will be flights in the afternoon. It’s best to schedule your flight first thing in the morning as soon as you arrive to avoid disappointment. For those planning to go there, here’s a quick guide to help you out.

LOCATION:

Mindanao Saga Flying Club is located at the Mati National Airport in Mati City, Davao Oriental, Philippines.

HOW TO GET THERE:

1. Fly to Davao City (Francisco Bangoy International Airport). Major airlines fly daily to Davao City from Manila and Cebu.
2. From Davao City you can get to Mati, Davao Oriental by bus or by van. Buses are more comfortable but take longer. Vans are faster but can be mostly cramped. Buses are supposed to leave hourly starting 5:00 am, but schedules are not strictly followed. Vehicles will leave depending on the units available and number of passengers.
   1. BUS: Board the Bachelor Express bus going to Mati, Davao Oriental (via Panabo City and Tagum) from the highway outside the Davao City airport or at the Ecoland Transport Terminal. Fare is P240 per person and travel time is about 4-6 hours depending on the road conditions and traffic getting out of the city.
   2. VAN: Ride a van from Gaisano Mall or Victoria Plaza. Fare is P220 per person. Travel time is 3-4 hours.
3. Alight at the Mati City bus terminal and hire a tricycle or habal-habal going to the Mati Airport. Fare is about P30 per passenger. Travel time is 15-20 mins.

NOTE: The airport is a bit isolated and it’s hard to get a ride from there, so it’s better if you ask the driver to wait or pick you up after a certain time.

WHO SHOULD TRY IT:

Ultralight Flying is a fun and relaxing activity that tourists visiting Mati, Davao Oriental might be interested to try. Only one passenger can ride at a time since the ultralight planes only have two seats, one for the pilot and one for the passenger. Because of the small size of the aircraft, there’s also a weight limit for passengers of about 95 kgs or 200 lbs for all aircrafts.

For parents traveling with kids, take note that toddlers and young children are not allowed to ride with parents. However, MSFC may allow children as young as 6 years old to ride with the pilot in the closed-cockpit aircraft as long as they can take and follow instructions from the pilots.

WHAT TO WEAR:

You can wear anything you like but it can get pretty windy and cold especially if you are riding the open aircraft so you might want to bring a light jacket. You’ll be strapped in the aircraft, so shorts, jeans or leggings are preferred to skirts and dresses. Closed footwear is better compared to slippers. There’s a platform for feet though, so as long as you don’t move your feet much, there should be no danger of your footwear falling off.

WHAT TO BRING:

Bring enough cash to pay for the activity and an action camera or phone with a strap for your gadgets.

For those who want to ensure good photos & video, for an additional P200.00 per person you can rent their GoPro (which is mounted on the aircraft’s wing). Otherwise you can bring your own camera when you fly but it will be at your own risk. I brought a GoPro attached to a chestmount and a strapped smartphone, but the rented GoPro still provides the best vantage point for videos. You can just screencap the video for photos.

RATES & PROMOS: (as of April 2018)

• MSFC has two types of aircrafts: an open ultralight and the closed light sport aircraft (with doors and floor).
• Open aircraft: P2,700.00 per person
• Closed aircraft: P3,200.00. per person
• This is inclusive of P2,300 for the flight and P400 (landing fee)
• They have ongoing 5+1 promos, so if six are riding, you only pay for five.
• If you are a Mati City resident, it’s 3+1 (you have to show proof of residence in Mati).

OPERATING HOURS:

Mindanao Saga Flying Club is open from Monday (by appointment only on Mondays) to Sunday from sunrise (usually 5:30 am) to sunset.

For 15 or more guests, reservation is required. For those reserving for 15 people or more, a 50% down payment will be required. But if you are a group of less than 15, there’s no need to reserve. Just advise them through text message or FB Message at least two days before your confirmed arrival date.

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO:

Mindanao Saga Flying Club, Mati National Airport, Mati City, Davao Oriental, Philippines.

• Website: www.sportflyingph.com
• Facebook: Mindanao Saga Flying Club
• Contact numbers: 09173070670 or 09399902995