Microlights – known as Ultralights in some countries – are small aircraft which can be tremendous fun to fly. They are also a very inexpensive way of getting airborne. While the very early types had a reputation for being dangerous, these days microlight flying is as safe as any other form of aviation.
So what exactly are microlights?
Two Types of Microlight
There are two very different sorts of microlights.
Three-Axis or Fixed-Wing Microlights are basically small airplanes. They look like smaller version of wellknown light aircraft such as the Cessna 152, and fly in the same way too. Many are open cockpit, and look very much like early aircraft from the start of the 20th century. But others are closed-in and look very modern. What is the difference between these and small aeroplanes? It is purely a weight difference – microlights are smaller and lighter than other aircraft.
Flexwing Microlights have wings that look like hang-gliders, with an open cockpit underneath them. They are flown similarly to a hang-glider in that there is a bar which the pilot moves to change direction. However, there the resemblance to hang-gliders ends, for modern flexwing microlights are sophisticated machines, and some of them are very fast.
Are Microlights Safe?
In the very early days of microlight flying, the sport was unregulated and people tried to teach themselves to fly – resulting in an unacceptable number of accidents. But things have changed dramatically. Microlight flying is now controlled by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and is as safe as any other form of flying. Pilots are properly trained and the sport is well regulated.
How Far Can a Microlight Fly?
There is a myth that microlights are very slow and can’t fly far. But with modern aircraft this is not the case. While the average speed of microlights is around 60 knots (70 mph), there is a new microlight that cruises at around 175 mph. As for distance, in 1986 a young lady called Eve Jackson bought a microlight, learned to fly it, then flew it from the UK to Australia! UK based microlight pilots regularly travel to continental Europe, and there is a three-day microlight rally every year. It is no longer the case that these are aircraft for only local flights.
How to Learn to Fly a Microlight?
There are microlight schools at many airfields, and they can be easily found by doing a search on the internet, or looking in any aviation magazines. The Microlight Private Pilot’s Course takes from 25 to 30 flying hours, with some written exams to be passed as well – but they are not that difficult. Once qualified, most pilots buy their own aircraft, or a share in a group-owned one.
Microlights are far cheaper than other light aircraft, on the whole – although there are some highly sophisticated new machines with a corresponding price tag. But for those who want to fly cheaply, this is the way to do it.
So now all the prospective pilot needs to do is decided which type of microlight he or she would like to fly, and contact a flying school. Most of them do introductory trial lessons, so it is easy to find out if this is the type of flying for you. What are you waiting for?
Related Article
 |
