Fixed wing microlight training near Luton
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Fixed wing microlight training near Luton
Hi everyone. I have been following this forum for a while, but this is my first post.
I have been looking at doing my PPL for a while now and have finally decided to take the plunge. However a good friend recently suggested that I do a trial flight in a fixed wing microlight of the newer variety such as the C42/Eurostar and get my NPPL instead. This does make sense as my main reason for going for a PPL is purely flying for pleasure. The NPPL(m) seems cheaper, and easier to obtain for this purpose. I dont think I have any real need to do the full PPL on the cessna/piper types since all I really want to do in the future is get up in the air and enjoy myself! I have read similar advice in these forums so am seriously considering this option.
I have been looking for a microlight club in Bedfordshire or Buckinghamshire to get a trail lesson in one of these but cant find any. Yes I have googled and found the bedford microlight club but they do not offer flights in the c42 type fixed wing aircraft. Would anyone be able to recommend one for me in this general area? I dont really want to travel into london or the midlands if i can avoid it..
many thanks for your help!
I have been looking at doing my PPL for a while now and have finally decided to take the plunge. However a good friend recently suggested that I do a trial flight in a fixed wing microlight of the newer variety such as the C42/Eurostar and get my NPPL instead. This does make sense as my main reason for going for a PPL is purely flying for pleasure. The NPPL(m) seems cheaper, and easier to obtain for this purpose. I dont think I have any real need to do the full PPL on the cessna/piper types since all I really want to do in the future is get up in the air and enjoy myself! I have read similar advice in these forums so am seriously considering this option.
I have been looking for a microlight club in Bedfordshire or Buckinghamshire to get a trail lesson in one of these but cant find any. Yes I have googled and found the bedford microlight club but they do not offer flights in the c42 type fixed wing aircraft. Would anyone be able to recommend one for me in this general area? I dont really want to travel into london or the midlands if i can avoid it..
many thanks for your help!
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Microlight Flying School at Peterborough Conington in Cambridgeshire
This place is about 45 miles from Luton just off the A1. Less than an hour probably.
This place is about 45 miles from Luton just off the A1. Less than an hour probably.
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Wow, thanks for the fast reply guys. I am giving both of them a ring now to get further details and book a trial.
They are both about over 1 hr away from me with traffic which is ok. Im surprised there are none operating from Cranfield airport.. there seem to be a lot of flying schools there.
They are both about over 1 hr away from me with traffic which is ok. Im surprised there are none operating from Cranfield airport.. there seem to be a lot of flying schools there.
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Ok, booked on a introductory flying day at the Microlight school in peterborough on saturday! Cant wait.. 
I wonder if there is heating in the cabin 
thanks again
I wonder if there is heating in the cabin thanks again
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Good luck with your training , I hope you enjoy the Eurostar, but if you don't get on with it traveling slightly further will get you to a very nice C-42 at Chatteris airfield Home Page (with very good cabin heat)
Don't be too dismissive of the Bedfordshire Microlight Center's Thruster. It's a excellent and fun aircraft to fly and it maybe more the kind of thing that's within your budget if you decided you'd like to buy your own aircraft one day.
, I hope you enjoy the Eurostar, but if you don't get on with it traveling slightly further will get you to a very nice C-42 at Chatteris airfield Home Page (with very good cabin heat)Don't be too dismissive of the Bedfordshire Microlight Center's Thruster. It's a excellent and fun aircraft to fly and it maybe more the kind of thing that's within your budget if you decided you'd like to buy your own aircraft one day.
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Fenland flyer, thanks for your advice sir.. I will see how the trial goes at peterborough with flycb first and then consider my options. I am trying to keep driving distance to a minimum for obvious reasons but will certainly consider chatteris if i need to.
One question guys.. I notice that the eurostar aircraft at flycb seem to have quite a bare instrument panel (http://www.flycb.uk.com/images/popup-img/gal_pop1.jpg). Is this quite normal? I have seen many videos on youtube of the same aircraft with a much more complete panel inclusive of attitude and heading indicators. I guess they must be different model variations. Just a case of looking at the horizon then!
One question guys.. I notice that the eurostar aircraft at flycb seem to have quite a bare instrument panel (http://www.flycb.uk.com/images/popup-img/gal_pop1.jpg). Is this quite normal? I have seen many videos on youtube of the same aircraft with a much more complete panel inclusive of attitude and heading indicators. I guess they must be different model variations. Just a case of looking at the horizon then!
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I have flown a few hours in a Eurostar and rate it highly. The cockpit visibility is unsurpassed.
You are quite right! This aircraft is cleared for daylight VFR flying only and such things as artificial horizons serve no purpose if this is to be observed at all times.
As a training aircraft they have proabably fitted the aircraft with the basics but you may find one or more of the fleet has some additional instrumentation fitted, either vacuum driven or digital such as the Dynon units.
Its a great little aircraft to fly but be aware it does not cruise all that fast - 90Kts (ish) so getting from A to B can be a bit of a plod. Ideal I suppose for student navigation.
However, when you have your NPPL(M) you can consider flying some of the faster micros such as the Dynamic - 115Kts cruise.
ps the Eurostar I flew had a decent heater too !!
Good luck on Saturday - weather looks a bit breezy though.
You are quite right! This aircraft is cleared for daylight VFR flying only and such things as artificial horizons serve no purpose if this is to be observed at all times.
As a training aircraft they have proabably fitted the aircraft with the basics but you may find one or more of the fleet has some additional instrumentation fitted, either vacuum driven or digital such as the Dynon units.
Its a great little aircraft to fly but be aware it does not cruise all that fast - 90Kts (ish) so getting from A to B can be a bit of a plod. Ideal I suppose for student navigation.
However, when you have your NPPL(M) you can consider flying some of the faster micros such as the Dynamic - 115Kts cruise.
ps the Eurostar I flew had a decent heater too !!
Good luck on Saturday - weather looks a bit breezy though.
A microlight requires:
- Airspeed
- Altitude
- Compass
- Such engine instruments as are required by the engine manufacturer
Complex navigational equipment is fun to play with, but unnecessary and frankly a distraction whilst learning. Most of such installations you'll see in private aircraft or youtube videos are also probably illegal modifications.
Looking them up, Bedford Microlight Centre seem to have a Thruster T600N Sprint. Having flown that and the Eurostar, I think I'd actually slightly favour the Thruster as the better and more rugged training aeroplane - it's just slower than the Eurostar, that's all.
If they're nearer, and presumably cheaper, I'd go with the Thruster.
That said, I think I know most of the instructors at both FlyCB and Flylight - all very good, and they look after their aeroplanes well also. So, you should have a good experience all round.
The instrument panel on the photo you posted looks perfectly normal to me and I've seen much more sparse ones on both light and microlight aeroplanes. Absolutely nothing to worry about - and you'll be taught to keep your head out (where the view is better anyhow) and just glance inside periodically anyhow, so that really is a non-issue.
G
- Airspeed
- Altitude
- Compass
- Such engine instruments as are required by the engine manufacturer
Complex navigational equipment is fun to play with, but unnecessary and frankly a distraction whilst learning. Most of such installations you'll see in private aircraft or youtube videos are also probably illegal modifications.
Looking them up, Bedford Microlight Centre seem to have a Thruster T600N Sprint. Having flown that and the Eurostar, I think I'd actually slightly favour the Thruster as the better and more rugged training aeroplane - it's just slower than the Eurostar, that's all.
If they're nearer, and presumably cheaper, I'd go with the Thruster.
That said, I think I know most of the instructors at both FlyCB and Flylight - all very good, and they look after their aeroplanes well also. So, you should have a good experience all round.
The instrument panel on the photo you posted looks perfectly normal to me and I've seen much more sparse ones on both light and microlight aeroplanes. Absolutely nothing to worry about - and you'll be taught to keep your head out (where the view is better anyhow) and just glance inside periodically anyhow, so that really is a non-issue.
G
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Hello, I also live in Luton, and I fly from RAF Halton (near Aylesbury), where I did my PPL training in 2009.
They also have a microlite club with 2x Eurostars and 2x Thrusters. The aeroplane club has 3x C152's, a PA28, a Citabria and an Aquilla, all available to train in.
Halton is about 20 miles from Luton and about 40 minutes drive.
They *do* accept civilian members, and are one of the cheapest places around - and no home landing fees
If you'd like more info or to join me on a flight sometime, PM me.
Alan.
They also have a microlite club with 2x Eurostars and 2x Thrusters. The aeroplane club has 3x C152's, a PA28, a Citabria and an Aquilla, all available to train in.
Halton is about 20 miles from Luton and about 40 minutes drive.
They *do* accept civilian members, and are one of the cheapest places around - and no home landing fees
If you'd like more info or to join me on a flight sometime, PM me.
Alan.
Hello, I also live in Luton, and I fly from RAF Halton (near Aylesbury), where I did my PPL training in 2009.
They also have a microlite club with 2x Eurostars and 2x Thrusters. The aeroplane club has 3x C152's, a PA28, a Citabria and an Aquilla, all available to train in.
Halton is about 20 miles from Luton and about 40 minutes drive.
They *do* accept civilian members, and are one of the cheapest places around - and no home landing fees
If you'd like more info or to join me on a flight sometime, PM me.
Alan.
They also have a microlite club with 2x Eurostars and 2x Thrusters. The aeroplane club has 3x C152's, a PA28, a Citabria and an Aquilla, all available to train in.
Halton is about 20 miles from Luton and about 40 minutes drive.
They *do* accept civilian members, and are one of the cheapest places around - and no home landing fees
If you'd like more info or to join me on a flight sometime, PM me.
Alan.
G
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Guys I cant thank you enough for all the informative advice you have provided me. I have saved long and hard to do my PPL and just need to make the right decision before I part with my £££. This forum and its members are helping so much in reaching my decision.
Hopefully I will enjoy the flight in the Eurostar on Saturday. I have already had a lesson in a Cessna 172 so I can make the comparisons! NPPL(m) or PPL.. that is the question
You are right Genghis.. I wouldnt dream of refusing that offer! Alan, pm sent
Hopefully I will enjoy the flight in the Eurostar on Saturday. I have already had a lesson in a Cessna 172 so I can make the comparisons! NPPL(m) or PPL.. that is the question
You are right Genghis.. I wouldnt dream of refusing that offer! Alan, pm sent
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depending on which side of Luton you are, you could try
Exodus Airsports | Escape to the Sky
About 25 minutes from central Luton
I'm learning there, on a Eurostar, and they have 2, and 2 instructors.
Exodus Airsports | Escape to the Sky
About 25 minutes from central Luton
I'm learning there, on a Eurostar, and they have 2, and 2 instructors.
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A 172 and a Eurostar/Thruster is quite a contrast.
I migrated from PPL to Micros as I had already done Night and IR in a previous life and despite my best efforts rarely flew with two seats filled let alone four so I moved to micros and I instantly halved my cost per flying hour.
If you start with NPPL(M) its no problem moving to PPL/NPPL(SSEA) if you feel the need to make use of the utility that can offer you. . . . at a price.
I migrated from PPL to Micros as I had already done Night and IR in a previous life and despite my best efforts rarely flew with two seats filled let alone four so I moved to micros and I instantly halved my cost per flying hour.
If you start with NPPL(M) its no problem moving to PPL/NPPL(SSEA) if you feel the need to make use of the utility that can offer you. . . . at a price.
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IanPZ.. all I can say is OMG!! That place sounds Ideal for me. Just 25 mins drive from my house and their prices also look cheaper than flycb in Peterborough.. I wish I had waited a while before I got all excited and booked a trial at flycb 
Oh well, I can always do another trial there next week I suppose 
Ian, how do you find the lessons there and more importantly how are the instructors? I will still do the trial at peterborough on sat but I am really leaning towards Exodus at the moment due to the location as well as the price. I will do a trial there myself, but if you give me your recommendation then ill totally be leaning towards them. I really wished id waited a bit longer for your post as Exodus seem ideal for me.
Fake Sealion (nice name), Yea the cessna i did my trial on was pretty much a dark metal box on wheels.. I still enjoyed it a lot mind you but just from looking at the pictures the Eurostar ev97 looks a lot more airy, modern and bright!
Oh well, I can always do another trial there next week I suppose Ian, how do you find the lessons there and more importantly how are the instructors? I will still do the trial at peterborough on sat but I am really leaning towards Exodus at the moment due to the location as well as the price. I will do a trial there myself, but if you give me your recommendation then ill totally be leaning towards them. I really wished id waited a bit longer for your post as Exodus seem ideal for me.
Fake Sealion (nice name), Yea the cessna i did my trial on was pretty much a dark metal box on wheels.. I still enjoyed it a lot mind you but just from looking at the pictures the Eurostar ev97 looks a lot more airy, modern and bright!
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They *do* accept civilian members
sorry.(I'm a member of Halton Aeroplane club that's also open to Civilians)
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Not dismissing the bedford microlight centre for any other reason other than the fact that they dont have one of the more modern microlights such as the eurostar. Really not too keen on flying the thruster..Im sure they are a lovely bunch. I guess I just have my mind set on the eurostar now.
Not dismissing the bedford microlight centre for any other reason other than the fact that they dont have one of the more modern microlights such as the eurostar. Really not too keen on flying the thruster..Im sure they are a lovely bunch. I guess I just have my mind set on the eurostar now.
Which is exactly why most schools now are using something like a Eurostar, C42, CT or Dynamic. Not because they're better aeroplanes (although they're all perfectly good aeroplanes) but because they look new and shiny, and this appeals more to people who don't know much about aeroplanes so can only go on "does it look like a real aeroplane".
I think I've flown most of the more modern microlight aeroplanes - certainly everything that's been discussed in this thread so far, as well as a wide range of light aeroplanes. I choose with my own money for fun mostly to fly a really basic early Thruster. It's cheaper, handles well, and is virtually unbreakable. To be fair, the newer T600N Thrusters are much better aeroplanes than that, but I really wouldn't put much in terms of flying or learning quality and enjoyment between that and the "hot ships".
G