Microlight lessons
 

Hi all.

Deciding to go through the Microlight (weightshift) route to get into flying.

A friend took me up in his last week for the first time and let me fly quite a lot. I successfully completed 3 circuits and landed each time much to his suprise!

Anyway, how much should I be looking at paying for lessons using a school aircraft?

Much appreciated.

Lee.

Lee,

There's a list of microlight schools on the BMAA site.

As far as costs go, you'll get more answers by asking here.

Buy some warm clothing if you're about to start your flexwing training at this time of year!

You don't need to go down the flex wing route to fly microlights - though you may find it cheaper to continue flying thereafter if you do fly flexies.

Most training schools can train 3 axis (conventional stick and rudder aircraft) or flex wing - indeed at your location (Herts?) Plaistows farm near St. Albans train on flexies and three axis.

Dunno the training rates there but budget for £80/hour.

You will need to buy your own aircraft (or share) to continue flying microlights and second hand flexies can be had for £3,000 upto £20,000+ they are easy to trailer and hangar and are an affordable route into flying.

3 axis tend to be a bit more expensive to purchase and run (due hangarage) though you can get wing folding and trailerable aircraft.

Tony

The current hourly rate with Jay at Plaistows is £80. He will lend you a flying suit when you train with him (and will expect you to buy one from him eventually). You'll need to buy your own balaclava and bar mitts (about £24) - essential for keeping warm between now and next May!

Learning on a weightshift is a realistic proposition during the winter because the school aircraft is kept fully rigged and you won't be out in the cold for much longer than an hour at a time. The tricky bit is rigging and de-rigging an aircraft in the cold during winter!

Jay lets his students fly solo in his school aircraft provided you pay a contribution to hull insurance (fair enough). And you'll need to have your own third party liability cover before you fly solo (about £80 per annum).

Also budget for 5 lots of £15 for exams, £28 for charts, plus ruler, protractor, chart pens, etc.

Also join BMAA right away - they are very helpful and their magazine "Microlight Flying" is the best source of information on the sport.

Good luck

Springers

Heard some good reports about Jay. I believe he has started training at Hunsdon too, if that's nearer to you.