What'd it take to get YOU up in a microlight
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Under the clag EGKA
Posts: 1,026
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I fly both, in the UK I fly spams and in France I fly a Sky Ranger when ever I can. Flying up the Gorge du Verdon at sunrise in a tiny string bag is one of the highlights of my year every year. And it costs next to nothing. I had a bit of a brush with a Mirage last year though over the Garrigue. Exhilarating and bumpy, I gained a few hundred feet in the vortex and then lost it again quite quickly but this kind of thing can happen a lot in a very light craft so we were sort of prepared for it. I have truly learned to fly in micro lights despite having flown from Tigermoths to JP and Vampires in my youth. There is no more seat of pants experience or more accessible.
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Strathaven Airfield
Posts: 895
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Julian,
You can hire a microlight, but for single seat use only. Come to Strathaven and we have all ways to get you in the air, sales, hire and shares.
For you light aircraft types, we are offering FREE flying on our C42 Ikarus in February and March.
Just turn up (actually give us a call - 0797 997 1301 - and we'll book you in) with a pilot's logbook - no minimum hours or licence required - and you can have 20 minutes in the Ikarus with our instructor Glenn.
Unfortunately, it doesn't count towards your one hour with an instructor ;-)
And if we tempt you to the dark side.....
XA
You can hire a microlight, but for single seat use only. Come to Strathaven and we have all ways to get you in the air, sales, hire and shares.
For you light aircraft types, we are offering FREE flying on our C42 Ikarus in February and March.
Just turn up (actually give us a call - 0797 997 1301 - and we'll book you in) with a pilot's logbook - no minimum hours or licence required - and you can have 20 minutes in the Ikarus with our instructor Glenn.
Unfortunately, it doesn't count towards your one hour with an instructor ;-)
And if we tempt you to the dark side.....
XA
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Midlands
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have “tried out” a range of 3 axis micros and also flown WS (with an instructor). The difference between a modern 3 axis like a C42 or Eurostar and a 152 is quite surprising, with the micro wining hands down. Many of the micros have “grown up” versions with more payload “group a” status (VLA’s) and these are just as cheap to run and as nice if not nicer to fly (CS props, more power etc).
Some of the modern VLAs will lift 2 X 90kg pilots and 4 hours plus fuel with no problem at speeds which make an Arrow look solw. You can also operate them out of relatively short grass strips (mine is on a grass strip (600m) but I use less than ˝) which can make flying very convenient and save on costs. You will love the handling and the visibility.
With regard to strength, these aircraft were tested CS-VLA or section s and have a very good safety record. If I was doing a force landing I would choose the modern machines every time, if I was having a mid air then you have less of a bettering ram at the front which may be a disadvantage.
Rod1
Some of the modern VLAs will lift 2 X 90kg pilots and 4 hours plus fuel with no problem at speeds which make an Arrow look solw. You can also operate them out of relatively short grass strips (mine is on a grass strip (600m) but I use less than ˝) which can make flying very convenient and save on costs. You will love the handling and the visibility.
With regard to strength, these aircraft were tested CS-VLA or section s and have a very good safety record. If I was doing a force landing I would choose the modern machines every time, if I was having a mid air then you have less of a bettering ram at the front which may be a disadvantage.
Rod1
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Might as well ask what it would take to get you up in a glider, hot air balloon, space shuttle...
Although I don't like the safety record of the space shuttle. But I understand that training for a space shuttle ride includes rides in the vomit comet. Now there's an idea...
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Me and a group of the girls were talking about flying last night
My initial reaction was "a lot of beer", but on second thoughts, yep, why not ? Looks like fun, and life's just tooo short ...
Once went past two guys strapped to a flying tent at about 7,000', not long before sunset one summer's eve. As they flew off towards the sun, looking for all the world like the scene at the end of ET, I couldn't decide whether it looked wierd or wonderful - made me smile, though !
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Norfolk UK
Age: 80
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I went up several times in a friends 3 axis micro in the 80's and really enjoyed it.
(He also learned to fly helicopters and frightened me a bit as he was not too hot at it.)
Talking to a friend who is a professional commercial pilot and and does aeros in his Pitts,he will not go near microlights,but interestingly also said he would be worried about vertigo in a balloon.
I would love to try a balloon flight at low level,but reckon I might be a bit vertiginous at anything above 100'
Lister
(He also learned to fly helicopters and frightened me a bit as he was not too hot at it.)
Talking to a friend who is a professional commercial pilot and and does aeros in his Pitts,he will not go near microlights,but interestingly also said he would be worried about vertigo in a balloon.
I would love to try a balloon flight at low level,but reckon I might be a bit vertiginous at anything above 100'
Lister
Blah Blah Blah
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Malmesbury VRP
Age: 48
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For me to fly a microlight or PFA aircraft they would need to allow flight in IMC and night otherwise it does not interest me.
Having to wait for decent weather, daylight and having to avoid white fluffy things in the sky is a pain in the ****.
Having to wait for decent weather, daylight and having to avoid white fluffy things in the sky is a pain in the ****.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: England
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
what you do, is, put the cabin heat on !
www.ylac.com
www.ylac.com
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: UK,Twighlight Zone
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nothing, I have 300hrs in micro-lights and love every minuted of them. Fun simple flying. Alas they don't meet my business needs for fast IFR but for the VFR bimble they are ace.
The micro-light crowd are generally much more adventurous than the spam can brigade. You only have to look at the places they get to for competitions around the world.
The micro-light crowd are generally much more adventurous than the spam can brigade. You only have to look at the places they get to for competitions around the world.
For me to fly a microlight or PFA aircraft they would need to allow flight in IMC and night otherwise it does not interest me.
Having to wait for decent weather, daylight and having to avoid white fluffy things in the sky is a pain in the ****.
Having to wait for decent weather, daylight and having to avoid white fluffy things in the sky is a pain in the ****.
Before going down the PFA route, I used to fly 40-50 hours a year, limited mostly by cost. Now I fly in excess of 100 hours a year. IMC/night is obviously an issue but not the primary one (for me at least)
Blah Blah Blah
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Malmesbury VRP
Age: 48
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Mariner9
Fair enough I suppose but surely somewhat inconsistent with basing an instrument-capable aircraft at a farm strip with no lights or ILS etc
However I can depart in pea soup and I can depart in the dark. The problem is when it comes to landing
But Filton/Lulsgate and Gloucester are up the road. Or if it is only a matter of dark casuing an issue I can get Mr Farm owner to stick the landrover with flashy lights at the end of the runway and use the flashy gps to get me on approach.
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Midlands
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The IR guys seem to have GPS approaches to their strips well sorted. Of course I completely understand that they are just for practice. As to night ops a few portable lights and a car, are I am told standard procedure at some strips.
LAA aircraft are of course VFR/day only, even if fully equipped. Mine has no lights, apart from a high intensity anti collision beacon.
I have not found going from a fully equipped IFR machine (with IMCR) to a VFR only aircraft has made any difference to my touring, but I only fly for fun. Bose could never manage without an IR as he has to get to his work meetings. How many PPL/IR's in the UK, 200 - 400?
Rod1
LAA aircraft are of course VFR/day only, even if fully equipped. Mine has no lights, apart from a high intensity anti collision beacon.
I have not found going from a fully equipped IFR machine (with IMCR) to a VFR only aircraft has made any difference to my touring, but I only fly for fun. Bose could never manage without an IR as he has to get to his work meetings. How many PPL/IR's in the UK, 200 - 400?
Rod1
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Down South, preferably inverted
Posts: 235
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm learning to fly in a spam cam, and doing aerobatics in something more fun.......and my old man is learning in a weight shift microlight...
He's been in the back of a few spamcams. And he's been up with MY instructor doing some aeros........so that I'm not the one finding out if he likes it or not
.......luckily he loves it.....
I've been up with HIS instructor in a weight shift to ensure that my dislike of unrestrained heights didn't cause me to freak out - which it didn't.................although he probably won't get me in the thing with him until the summer, as my idea of fun is NOT freezing to death........
I can see why he likes it - but it doesn't do it for me.
He's been in the back of a few spamcams. And he's been up with MY instructor doing some aeros........so that I'm not the one finding out if he likes it or not
.......luckily he loves it.....I've been up with HIS instructor in a weight shift to ensure that my dislike of unrestrained heights didn't cause me to freak out - which it didn't
.................although he probably won't get me in the thing with him until the summer, as my idea of fun is NOT freezing to death........I can see why he likes it - but it doesn't do it for me.
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Norfolk U.K.
Age: 68
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Talking to a friend who is a professional commercial pilot and and does aeros in his Pitts,he will not go near microlights
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 3,325
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got taken up in a weight-shift (Mainair, with the 4-cyl 4-stroke Rotax) a few years ago. What fun! It was like sitting on the bog at 2000 feet - nothing to see downwards except the ground a long way away. I'd seriously consider one if I ever gave up my beloved Chippy.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 3,218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What'd it take to get YOU up in a microlight
What'd it take to get YOU up in a microlight
Glider? Some spare time.
Hot air balloon? A parachute. They're a lot more fun to jump than ride back down.
Space shuttle? An available seat. And a spare flight suit. Size 42R, thanks.