YOU know those dreams when you’re floating gracefully above the clouds?

I had one recently, but I wasn’t asleep – I was wide awake and gripping the controls of a Piper Archer light plane, staring straight ahead at the pink horizon over a shimmering cotton wool sea.

Nothing can prepare you for the sheer wonder of flying in a small aircraft for the first time. I was lucky enough to get the chance thanks to a taster flying lesson with Shobdon Aeroclub.

Now if I was 100 per cent honest, I’d have to say I wasn’t looking forward to the actual putting of the hands on the controls part of the experience.

Jody Hoare, my very affable instructor, seemed to be doing a perfectly efficient job of getting us airborne from the air field at Shobdon. I was more than happy to gaze at the toy town scenery below. Besides, this was rather dream-like, and in that state of mind, I didn’t necessarily feel like actually trying to fly the thing.

But after a couple of circles around the north of Hereford it was time to go above the clouds and get the full experience.

“Are you ready?” Jody asked, at 2,000 feet.

Every fibre of my being screamed “no”, but I heard myself gingerly saying “yes”.

And then I was doing it – holding the control wheel and gazing at the blue skies ahead. It was mesmerising.

“We try to give you a proper taster,” said Jody.

“The idea is to get you on the controls – let you get a feel for it in your first lesson.”

That first taster with the club can start from £79 for half an hour.

Jody talked me through a couple of turns and explained the way the aircraft turned, but, really, it was as much as I could do not to burst into joyous laughter – I was above the clouds, steering a plane, with rays of golden sunlight pouring through the window.

So how realistic is it to get your private pilot’s licence?

Roughly £7,530 all in is the answer. That includes the 45 hours of flying you need, medical, club subscription, exam fees, pilot’s licence and other costs.

Once you’ve got it, you can in theory hire a Cessna from £114 per hour from Shobdon and fly to Calais for the night, or perhaps the Scilly Isles.

Alternatively, you may just opt for a trip above the clouds for a bit and a spot of lunch at the excellent Shobdon Airfield Cafe – open seven days a week.

Being a member of the club offers discounts, and it’s a friendly place to hang out. Even if you’re not flying, you can bring your family down and watch the planes and helicopters landing and taking off.

If you are thinking of going for it, it will probably take six to 12 months, and you’ll need regular medicals – the frequency will depend on age.

If you do go up there – like me, you’ll probably find yourself dreaming about how you can scrape the cash together to go the whole hog. That’s what I was thinking, as Jody told me he was taking back the controls to land.

One last glimpse of the magical heavens and the setting sun, before dropping through the clouds, back into the gloom of a grey winter afternoon.

Maybe I won’t be going up again soon, but what a magical experience, and what a fantastic facility right on our doorstep. Since that day I find myself gazing at light aircraft flying above our county with a fresh perspective and a little jealousy.

For details visit shobdonairfield.co.uk