10 Things

10 Things you should know about micolight flying!

1 WHAT EXACTLY IS A MICROLIGHT?
There are four different breeds of microlight: flex-wing, fixed-wing, foot-launched and paraplane. Explanations of each are below. What they have in common is a they all offer a low-cost way of enjoying recreational flying, whether it's from a fully-equipped licensed aerodrome or a farmer's field. Technically, a microlight, whether flex or fixed wing, can have a max takeoff weight (Mtow) of no more than 450kg (300kg for single-seaters) and a stall speed of no higher than 35 knots (40mph). They have an annual inspection, like an MoT, for the issue of a Permit to Fly.

2 FLEX-WING
Also called 'weight-shift' microlights, these are the backbone of microlight flying, accounting for about 70% of all the aircraft. They look like a hang-glider with a three-wheel seating pod slung underneath, and have an engine and propeller mounted at the rear. They can be single or two seat and offer an unparalleled open cockpit flying experience - a bit like flying a motorbike! The aircraft is steered up, down and through turns by pushing the whole wing around using a bar in front of the pilot. Cruise speed is around 50-75mph though the very latest Quik GT450 can reach a maximum speed of 95mph.

3 FIXED-WING
Also called 'three-axis' microlights, this a booming sector of light aviation with many new aircraft coming onto the market. These are really just 'normal' light aircraft, built to microlight limits, with the usual controls - ailerons, elevator and rudder, and sometimes with flaps. They can be made from metal, composites, 'rag and tube', or even wood. They can be factory-built or homebuilt from a kit. Performance depends on the design - anything from a cruise speed of 50mph for the traditional Thruster up to a max speed of 150mph for the 'hotship' Dyn'Aero Banbi.

4 FOOT-LAUNCHED
These are both powered hang-gliders and paramotors. The powered hang-glider uses a hang-glider wing and harness mated to a power unit - a small engine at the rear with a prop. The paramotor has a parachute type 'wing' attached to a harness with an engine and prop (surrounded by a metal cage) which is worn by the pilot as a backpack. There's no undercarriage, hence the foot-launch - the pilot takes off and lands running!

5 PARAPLANE
Also called 'powered parachutes', the paraplane has a powered trike unit suspended from a ram-air inflated parachute 'wing', similar to that used by skydivers. Single-seat and two-seaters are approved. If your legs aren't up to foot-launched flying, this could be the right one for you!

6 LICENCE & TRAINING
To fly a flex-wing, fixed-wing or paraplane, you need a NPPL(Microlight). To fly a Foot-Launched Microlight, you need a BMAA FLM Rating. Both have training schemes put in place by the BMAA. The NPPL(Microlight) syllabus covers all aspects of flying, both practical (flying the aircraft) and theoretical (groundschool). It takes a minimum of 25 flying hours to complete and you have to pass all flying and written tests to obtain your licence.

7 CAN I FLY A MICROLIGHT ON PPL(A)?
Yes, if you have the typical Single Engine Piston Rating on your PPL(A), then this covers you to fly a microlight. As with flying any new type of aircraft, it's advisable to take some instruction at first - your insurance company may insist on this anyway. It's fairly easy to convert to a fixed-wing microlight - all the controls are pretty much the same - but the low inertia may take some getting used to. However, converting to a flex-wing is a bit more challenging - the bar controlling the wing moves in the opposite direction from a control stick. Push the bar away from you to go up, pull to go down, push left to turn right, push right to turn left.

8 WHERE CAN I FLY FROM?
The great thing about microlights is that they can takeoff and land on really short strips because speeds are so low and because the aircraft are so light. Microlight training schools and clubs can be based at unlicensed airfields - unlike PPL(A) schools - and many are on fields or private airfields.

9 HOW DO I START?
Find a microlight flying club or school through the BMAA. There's a list online at the BMAA website, or you can call them to find one locally. Book a trial flight and go flying! Like to have a look first? There are plenty of fly-ins and events for microlights - look at the What's On planner in LOOP each month and find one near you. Microlight pilots are a hugely friendly bunch and most are happy to answer questions and may even take you up for a flight.

10 DO I NEED TO JOIN THE BMAA?
It's not compulsory but it's a jolly good idea! The BMAA is the governing body for the sport and provides support and information. It also provides technical support for builders and operators, processes NPPL(Microlight) licences, publishes an excellent bi-monthly magazine, has a network of local clubs, and also lobbies on behalf of the sport at national and European level.

Register for LOOP

Find a school/club

Book Flying Lesson

Buy an aircraft

Sell an aircraft