Microlighting

 

Exhilarating but safe, reliable and fun... microlight flying is an experience you won't forget in a hurry!

Flex-wing Microlights

From simple beginnings the "flex-wing" microlight has developed into a state-of-the-art flying machine capable of flying long distances at cruising speeds of 100mph or more. No longer are they recognisable as the same machines used by the pioneers in the early 1980’s.
High tech composite materials, and the latest design developments have created stunning aircraft, as ‘James Bond’ as you could wish for! The latest Quik-R from P&M even has folding wings!

So how far can you go in a microlight? Well...

In 2003 Ian flew his Quantum 912 all the way to Greece and back, a round trip of something like 4000km.
In 2001 Brian Milton and Keith Reynolds embarked on their first successful round the world expedition using a Quantum 912 illustrating how reliable and durable these machines really are. Every year it seems some intrepid microlighter will come up with new challenges. London to Sydney, Cape Town to Norway, Tierra del Fuego to Iceland and then the UK. It’s all been done!
A Quantum 912 “variant” aircraft modified with a slightly slower XL wing and turbo-charged 914 engine towed an Atos hang glider over Everest in 2005! A remarkable feat by anyone’s book.

 

The two types of microlight

At Learn to Fly we use 'flex-wing', or 'weight shift' microlights, which are basically a beefy hang glider wing with a trike unit suspended underneath. First seen in the early 80s, flex wings have evolved into superb flying machines. These days they are incredibly well designed and aesthetically packaged, and combined with the massive increase in safety brought about by the introduction of the Rotax 912 giving 4 stroke engine reliability, a flex wing is an extraordinary craft to fly. They offer the best visibility of just about any powered aircraft you can think of!
The second type of microlight is commonly called a 3-axis microlight in the UK, often called an Ultralight in many other countries. The controls are the same as with conventional planes, 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. Try both types first before you embark on a flying course if you are unsure about the differences.


So... How do flex wing microlights work?

The cockpit is open to the elements, which makes flying incredibly exciting and exhilarating, and it affords you an amazing all round view. The Flex-Wing is controlled in a similar way to a hang glider, using weight shift  - the pilot maneuvers the craft around its hang point, i.e where the wing is joined to the trike unit. As the pilot moves the ‘control bar’ the centre of gravity is displaced, giving the pilot complete control of the direction and airspeed of his machine. Flying height is controlled by the application of Power or Thrust. So simply put ‘airspeed’ is controlled using the bar and ‘power’ controls the height you fly at. Cruising speed on a typical modern microlight ranges between 55mph and around 70-80mph. The latest Quiks are reputed to exceed 100mph in straight and level flight!
"Physically", flying is not that difficult - technique is more important than strength. The pilot holds onto a bar, in front of him at around chest height, and by moving it he shifts the weight of the whole aircraft. Only a small amount of displacement is required to make quite an impact! The first instinct is to tense up and grip the bar, however you won't get a feel for flying by doing this. A flex wing flies at something called Hands Off Trim, and that means what it says. You don't need to be holding on for these things to fly straight and level!
The wings are called flex wings as they literally flex in flight, and can dump loading very efficiently making them exceptionally strong and robust.
Being windswept is pretty inherent in this style of flying so make sure you wrap up warm and wear the right clothing. There's no fun in getting cold up there. Flying suits and helmets and headsets are the order of the day, especially in our UK climate.

Our aircraft

We train on some of the latest machines - the Pegasus Quik and Quantum 912 microlights.
These aircraft are the leading flex-wing microlights in the world and are manufactured by P&M, the UK's predominant microlight manufacturer.
All microlights produced in the UK have to meet strict standards set by the Civil Aviation Authority, and monitored by the British Microlight Aircraft Association. The standards set by the UK in microlighting are some of the highest in the world, so you can be sure that you are flying in completely airworthy machines.

So... what do you need to fly legally in the UK?

You need a license to fly a microlight in the UK and in almost any other country, so your goal will be the NPPL(M) or National Private Pilot License (microlight). This license allows you to fly any microlight aircraft in this country so long as you have currency on type. Click here for more info on learning to fly. It is simple to convert between types of microlight by doing a short "differences training" flying course, usually 10-15hrs depending on individuals. You should also be able to fly abroad with this license so long as you inform the aviation authority of countries you are flying to, who may want to validate your documents. But with the range on a modern flex wing, travelling abroad is certainly one of the great attractions of microlighting. France for example, is a microlighter's paradise when it comes to touring in mid-summer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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