Discover for yourself the amazing sensation of being in an open cockpit aircraft.
Book Trial Microlight Flight

2 TYPES OF MICROLIGHT Microlighting has evolved as vibrant sport over the last 25 years when people started adapting hang gliders to fly with light engines. There are essentially 2 types of microlight, FLEX WING and '3-AXIS' otherwise known as 'Fixed Wing'. One is controlled in a similar way to a hang glider using weight-shift, the other has moveable control surfaces like a conventional aeroplane, with rudder, elevator and ailerons.

What can you do in a microlight ? From simple beginnings the microlight has developed into a state of the art flying machine capable of flying long distances at speeds of up to 100 knots or more! In 2003 Ian flew the Quantum 912 shown above all the way to Greece and back. In 2001 Brian Milton and Keith Reynolds embarked on first round the world expedition using a Quantum 912, just showing how reliable and airworthy these machines really are. The same machine with a slightly slower wing and turbo-charged engine was used to tow an Atos hang glider over Everest in 2005!

HOW DO THEY WORK? Flexwings - Open cockpit specializes in training with Flexwing microlights, essentially a large hang glider wing with a trike unit suspended underneath. The pilot controls the aircraft using WEIGHT SHIFT, by manoeuvring the wing around its hang point, where the wings is attached to the trike - as the centre of gravity is displaced the pilot can control the direction and airspeed of the aircraft.

HOW DO THEY WORK? Ultralights or 3-Axis - enclosed cockpit The second type of microlight is commonly called a 3-axis microlight in the UK, often called an Ultralight in many other countries. Here the controls are the same as a light aeroplane, where the pilot controls direction through the use of ailerons and rudder, and airspeed with the elevator. The enclosed space is far warmer than an open cockpit and tends to suit the more 'GA-orientated' pilot, and is certainly less strenuous than weight shift microlighting.

However no words can adequately describe the FLEXWING open cockpit's sensation of 'feeling the freedom,' and the amazing visibilty it affords. Still try for yourself both types if you can as no-one should immediately decide on a mode of microlighting without a first flight in each type - as they both have pros and cons that are too detailed to discuss here...

FLIGHT TRAINING will start with an introductory flight so that the student can develop a feel for the unusal sensation of flying, before sitting in the front seat where the process of learning continues. The instructor sits behind the student and the first basic exercises are covered so that the student can learn to control the aircraft his/herself. Typically 10-15 hours will be needed before the student can be suffciently prgressed to go for the 'first solo' a milestone in any students career.

Learning will take you as long as is required to meet the skills requirement to go for your GFT, General Skills Test, and then further training will help the student develop navigation skills and learn to fly distances away from the airfield without getting lost! Each student is different and the rate of learning will depend as much on the student as on the instructor.

Buying your first machine... There are many types of design in each category of microlight and it will take some time before a novice can appreciate the more subtle differences between them. Probably the best distinction is between new and old machines, and here money plays an important part. A new flex-wing microlight can cost anything from around £20,000 and upwards, whilst a ten year old machine can go for as little as £5000. Even older machines can be aquired for around £2000 although we'd recommend you buy yourself a newer machine!! Age is as important as hours flown when looking at an older microlight. Cheap isn't always best, and the capabilities of more modern machines fully justifies their higher cost. Second hand Quantums go for around £7000-8000 with two-stroke engines to £12-£15,000 with four-stroke engines.

FLIGHT TRAINING FOR NPPL A minimum of 25hrs is needed to attain the unrestricted NPPL (microlight). This will include 10 hours of solo flying and 15 hours of dual flying with an instructor. 2 qualifying cross countries are required with 2 out-landings of greater than 25nm from the point of departure. However 25 hours is a minimum requirement and there is no guarentee that a license will be gained in this amount of time. It is quite possible to take 10 or even 20 hours longer depending on the individual.

WHAT DOES IT COST? To train for the Natioal Private Pilot’s License (microlight), you should anticipate a cost of around £2000-£2500. It would be advisable to purchase your own aircraft after 5-10 hours as this will both reduce the cost by around £20 per hour, and facilitate your going solo. However for those who wish to stick to school aircraft the going rate at most schools is in region of £90 and in some schools as much as £105 per instructional hour.

The Goal – Unrestricted NPPL (microlight)
All the information required to gain the NPPL microlight can be found on the
links page

http://www.nppl.uk.com