Bristol Microlights. Where are they?
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Bristol Microlights. Where are they?
Hi All
I have been badly bitten by the flying bug since starting gliding recently....and I really really want to fly powered. Thing is, my local airport Bristol have a flight school and a fleet of Cesnas etc. And it’s currently £205 per lesson to learn with them. £205!
So I have seen lots about fixed wing Microlights and I’ve fallen in love with the look of the Eurostars and C42s etc. And it’s great that they seem far cheaper alternatives to LA. My question is whether anyone is aware of a flying school in North Somerset or Bristol? There’s a couple of good looking places in Kemble and Dunkeswell but that’s about 80 minutes drive for me.
Heres hoping
steve
I have been badly bitten by the flying bug since starting gliding recently....and I really really want to fly powered. Thing is, my local airport Bristol have a flight school and a fleet of Cesnas etc. And it’s currently £205 per lesson to learn with them. £205!
So I have seen lots about fixed wing Microlights and I’ve fallen in love with the look of the Eurostars and C42s etc. And it’s great that they seem far cheaper alternatives to LA. My question is whether anyone is aware of a flying school in North Somerset or Bristol? There’s a couple of good looking places in Kemble and Dunkeswell but that’s about 80 minutes drive for me.
Heres hoping
steve
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Hi Steve,
I'm not a microlight person, so unfortunately can't recommend anywhere. But since no-one else has replied yet, have you checked out the map on the BMAA site?
https://www.bmaa.org/try-microlighti...ools-and-clubs
I'm not a microlight person, so unfortunately can't recommend anywhere. But since no-one else has replied yet, have you checked out the map on the BMAA site?
https://www.bmaa.org/try-microlighti...ools-and-clubs
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That’s great thanks. I had seen that. Wish there was someone teaching fixed wings at BRS or Westonzoyland. Kemble seems like an excellent club so probably just do the commute and take that choice!
cheers
steve
cheers
steve
Steve,
Microlights are very nice indeed, but do be aware of their limitations!
* never fly after dark, let alone on instruments. Day VFR is all you get.
* being ultra light, you will be ultra shaken in turbulence, even over a wood on a hot day
* you can take a passenger, but depending on how the two of you are built you will be limited on fuel, and even more on luggage. Really not a travelling machine for two.
I would only recommend it if you can live with these limitations AND if you can avail of the big advantage of doing your own maintenance - though I am not aware of the situation in UK. Seems some PPL'ers can now do a fair deal of maintenance too.
Keep us posted, and good luck! Fly safe!
Microlights are very nice indeed, but do be aware of their limitations!
* never fly after dark, let alone on instruments. Day VFR is all you get.
* being ultra light, you will be ultra shaken in turbulence, even over a wood on a hot day
* you can take a passenger, but depending on how the two of you are built you will be limited on fuel, and even more on luggage. Really not a travelling machine for two.
I would only recommend it if you can live with these limitations AND if you can avail of the big advantage of doing your own maintenance - though I am not aware of the situation in UK. Seems some PPL'ers can now do a fair deal of maintenance too.
Keep us posted, and good luck! Fly safe!
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Thanks for that useful advice. Yes, I’ve done some research. Until a couple of weeks ago I thought of a microlight as a kite with a fan on it. Now the development of machines such as the Eurostar and the C42 means, for fair weather folk like me, a method of learning to fly at a much reduced rate. Also the syndicate system looks really appealing.
I’m getting used to turbulence now in my glider lessons ;-)
cheers
steve
I’m getting used to turbulence now in my glider lessons ;-)
cheers
steve
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Steve,
Microlights are very nice indeed, but do be aware of their limitations!
* never fly after dark, let alone on instruments. Day VFR is all you get.
* being ultra light, you will be ultra shaken in turbulence, even over a wood on a hot day
* you can take a passenger, but depending on how the two of you are built you will be limited on fuel, and even more on luggage. Really not a travelling machine for two.
I would only recommend it if you can live with these limitations AND if you can avail of the big advantage of doing your own maintenance - though I am not aware of the situation in UK. Seems some PPL'ers can now do a fair deal of maintenance too.
Keep us posted, and good luck! Fly safe!
Microlights are very nice indeed, but do be aware of their limitations!
* never fly after dark, let alone on instruments. Day VFR is all you get.
* being ultra light, you will be ultra shaken in turbulence, even over a wood on a hot day
* you can take a passenger, but depending on how the two of you are built you will be limited on fuel, and even more on luggage. Really not a travelling machine for two.
I would only recommend it if you can live with these limitations AND if you can avail of the big advantage of doing your own maintenance - though I am not aware of the situation in UK. Seems some PPL'ers can now do a fair deal of maintenance too.
Keep us posted, and good luck! Fly safe!
Even considerably heavier light aircraft on a permit, like my Kitfox 5 (MAUW 635kg), can be subject to the same " restrictions" but this does not stop one doing some serious travelling like Scotland to Germany or to Switzerland and back! However, as you point out, you ought to be prepared to do some (or preferably most) of you own maintenance. This is what makes a BMAA or LAA permit aircraft much more affordable than a Cessna etc in the UK.
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* never fly after dark, let alone on instruments. Day VFR is all you get.
* being ultra light, you will be ultra shaken in turbulence, even over a wood on a hot day
* you can take a passenger, but depending on how the two of you are built you will be limited on fuel, and even more on luggage. Really not a travelling machine for two.
It depends which side of Bristol you are, but Compton Abbas have some microlights, and it's a great strip to learn from.
Last edited by RTN11; 13th Sep 2018 at 23:23.
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Many thanks. Compton Abbas just that bit too far really. Kemble better. Have a lesson booked for Saturday morning in the lovely Eurostar. Then back to gliding at Bath and Wilts Gliding Club all day Sunday.
its like falling in love. I just want to be up there all the time .....never saw it coming!
its like falling in love. I just want to be up there all the time .....never saw it coming!
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Enjoy!
Microlight flying is some of the most fun I've had. The take off and climb performance is on another level, and they are very capable machines. The only limitation is the imagination of the soft squidgy thing in the left seat.
Microlight flying is some of the most fun I've had. The take off and climb performance is on another level, and they are very capable machines. The only limitation is the imagination of the soft squidgy thing in the left seat.
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G Steve: What a great. enthusiastic thread! Please keep us posted and i hope your microlight flight today is a success and you soon gain your powered licence.
There's nothing quite like it.
You can leave converting to PPL and doing all the fancy ratings for the future.....
C..
There's nothing quite like it.
You can leave converting to PPL and doing all the fancy ratings for the future.....
C..
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Thanks Cusco.
Well im happy to report that my lesson went ahead and it was an immensely satisfying experience. That’s an understatement, it was INCREDIBLE.
My young instructor Lee handed control to me at about 500 ft and we climbed up to around 4500 ft I think. We flew towards the Severn and the Forest of Dean and I learned how to control the ailerons, rudder, flaps, throttle etc.
I’m astounded by my own feelings about flying this early on.
So help feed feed me here guys, any documentary, podcast, or book recommendations for a budding aviator?
Im 52 this month, but I feel 25 again. What is that mysterious force that kept me up there with the birds?
I don’t want to crawl around on the surface of the earth anymore.....I want to be airborne forever ha ha.
Right, I’ve calmed down now. Time for a cup of tea!
cheers
steve
Well im happy to report that my lesson went ahead and it was an immensely satisfying experience. That’s an understatement, it was INCREDIBLE.
My young instructor Lee handed control to me at about 500 ft and we climbed up to around 4500 ft I think. We flew towards the Severn and the Forest of Dean and I learned how to control the ailerons, rudder, flaps, throttle etc.
I’m astounded by my own feelings about flying this early on.
So help feed feed me here guys, any documentary, podcast, or book recommendations for a budding aviator?
Im 52 this month, but I feel 25 again. What is that mysterious force that kept me up there with the birds?
I don’t want to crawl around on the surface of the earth anymore.....I want to be airborne forever ha ha.
Right, I’ve calmed down now. Time for a cup of tea!
cheers
steve
