Flex Wing training in the South East?
 

Hi

Im thinking about having a go at flex wing microlights and was wondering where people might recomend? I already have a full PPL and am looking for something a bit different instead of bimbling around in cessnas etc. I am based in South Buckinghamshire.....

Any recomendations would be great!

Thanks
Foz2

Foz2

The BMAA site always a good resource for information



http://www.bmaa.org/pwpcontrol.php?f...=gb_south_east

BS

Foz2; I hope you realise that for someone with 3-axis experience, a flex wing/weightshift can be a bit difficult as the control movements are 180 deg different, so you can't let your instincts and reactions operate as you would in a 3-axis aircraft.

Chevvron

Fully aware that you have to 'fly the wing' and that it is the opposite to fixed wing 3 axis.

If I like flexwings then I will probably just fly them exclusively and hang up my 3 axis gloves. Apart from the thrill of being in an open cockpit, i really cant afford to keep flying spam cans. I would imagine it to be risky ( from an instinct point of view) to fly both 3 axis and flexwing, but if you are exclusively on one or the other then I would imagine it to be fine.

I spent some time at Tony Hughes' outfit (Wiltshire Microlight School) near Yatesbury. Its just West of Marlborough on the M4.
Yes, its a bit of a slog but its worth it.

Tony is a decent guy, very enthusiastic. He teaches well (I'm very critical when it comes to instructors) and is fairly strict when it comes to standards. He won't tolerate sloppiness. His school made me a better pilot for sure. He owns his airfield and has top notch machinery. He can also sell you or help you buy second hand machinery with his extensive technical knowledge.

The facilities are also comfortable and well organised. The clubhouse is good and well stocked with food and drink. Definitely a cut above the other schools I've experienced.

EGML

Damyns hall aerodrome, Upminster Essex

3 Microlight schools there, you can learn Flexwing, hang gliding (towed up behind a Flexwing :0 ) Gyros plus there is plenty of GA planes there (last count there was 45 planes based there) and its in the south east!

(off topic)
Re the Wiltshire Microlight Centre: what's the plane tucked between two hedges? Looks like a staggerwing sesquiplane ?

Foz2 - check your PMs.

G

I too trained at the Wiltshire Microlight Centre with Tony and fully agree with your comments. I also bought my XL-Q from him and never looked back. He's honest and trustworthy and insanely knowledgable on all things microlight!

Funny that as I trained with Tony Hughes (aka Thug) and know many who have too and all would disagree with you as he is the biggest con man going. If assaulting students, taking parts of students aircraft and dragging out training (to make you a better pilot) for as long as possible make him a decent guy then I'm sure his x dressing adds to this too. If his wood work teaching skills give him the extensive technical knowledge you think he has then I suggest you seek another opinion. As for buying an aircraft from him, I got the tee shirt alone with others and you find that they are over priced ex school a/c that he has left in the sun for the last year needing new sails a few years down the road.

If you can't find anyone closer to home then I would recommend going with Sandra Reid, at Old Sarum. I did just that recently and had a brilliant day out.

You might need a sense of humour, as she has, because coming from a 3 axis background will cause you some difficulties! and some sarcastic comments from the back seat. Flex wings steer the wrong way on the ground so the first task you will face will be taxiing slalom fashion down a row of cones on the way to the hold for the runway in use. "where are we going now?". Once in the air the "rudder pedals" don't achieve anything but that won't stop you instinctively using them. With all of the flight controls operating in reverse sense to what you are used to it will be "difficult" to maintain "straight and level", not made any easier when using a foot operated throttle to maintain airspeed. "I know you are a man but please try to concentrate on two things at once".

Nice one Sandra, I'll take you in a 3 axis sometime to get my own back.

Rans6...

ps I would second what vincegod wrote.