Frequently Asked Questions

What is a microlight?
TOP	A microlight is a category of aeroplane mainly defined by its maximum take-off weight of 450kg. Microlights can be either "Flexwing" (hang-glider style wing) otherwise known as "weight-shift" due to the method of control, or "Fixed-wing" (3-axis control) which usually have a more 'conventional' appearance and are controlled by stick & rudder. Neither type is 'best'. They both have pros and cons. They can both be flown under the same licence although a short conversion course is highly recommended if a pilot transfers from one type to another since the method of control of both types is very different. Flexwing and Fixedwing pictures

Do I need a licence?
TOP	All flying in the UK is controlled by the Civil Aviation Authority. The CAA have decreed that all powered aircraft must be piloted by licenced pilots. The licence is known as an NPPL Microlight (National Private Pilots Licence, Microlight category) and is required to fly a microlight aeroplane without supervision. Once a licence has been gained it lasts for life, but to remain valid the holder must fly at least 5 hours a year (13 months) as 'pilot in command'.

Who runs it?
TOP	The British Microlight Aircraft Association www.bmaa.org have been given power by the CAA www.caa.co.uk to organise and self-regulate all flying related things to do with Microlight Aircraft, including Flying Instructors, Aircraft Inspectors, Flying examiners, Airworthiness and License Administration. The BMAA is a self-governing body which is ultimately responsible to the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) and all their instructors are regularly tested and revalidated. The aircraft are all regularly inspected by BMAA inspectors. For further information: general@bmaa.org


Where do I learn to fly?
TOP	MICROLIGHT FLIGHT TRAINING at Eshott Airfield (near Felton) Northumberland is run by Dave Gray FI, and caters for those in the North East of England. The BMAA have lists of all Microlight Flying Schools in the UK (and some abroad run by ex-pats) and will be glad to give you the name of your nearest flying school. general@bmaa.org

Where can I fly?
TOP	You can fly a Microlight Aircraft from any land with the land owner's permission. You can fly anywhere in the world you like subject to Air Law and the conditions on the aircraft's Permit to Fly. In 1998 a Pegasus Quantum 15-912 was flown around the world by Brian Milton and Keith Reynolds. My aircraft is a replica of this machine and you can see pictures of my 2001 European flying holiday This time next year you could be coming with us!

How much does it cost?
TOP	Trial flights cost: £90 for 1 hour, £75 for 45 min, £50 for 30 min or £40 for 20 min. The flight can be bought and paid for in advance in the form of a gift voucher. This makes a superb gift for a friend or loved one. It's just like a book token or a record token. It could be added to for a longer flight. Flying tuition at MICROLIGHT FLIGHT TRAINING is charged by the hour (or part of the hour pro-rata) @ £75/hr in my microlight aeroplane which is the top-of-the-range Pegasus Quantum 912 or @ £55/hr in the student’s own machine. These prices also cover any time taken for briefing and debriefing before and after the flying lesson. Once the student is solo a supervision fee of £20/hr is charged. A student who was very perceptive and quick on the uptake could gain his licence for just over £800 in his or her own aeroplane! Realistically, most people spend in the region of £1500 to £2000 to get a licence. Microlight aeroplanes can be bought second-hand from about £2,500 or new from about £10,000. (You tend to get what you pay for!) Microlights can be de-rigged and trailered which is cheaper but more time consuming. Alternatively, secure hangarage is available at Eshott Airfield for £1020 pa. (£85/month) Running a microlight costs about £10 to £20/hr (depending on the aircraft) when fuel, maintenance, hangarage and insurance are taken into account. New PEGASUS microlight aircraft prices

How do I get started?
TOP	Most people make their entry into the sport by having a trial lesson or "Air Experience" flight as it is called in the syllabus. (Ex.3). This can be a 30 min. or 1 hour flight in the rear seat during which time the basic operation of the aircraft will be explained and demonstrated and you will be given the opportunity to take control if you wish. This will give you a good idea of whether you like flying or not. (see above for costs) Alternatively, and more usefully, the trial lesson can last an hour (or more). If conditions and time permit, at my discretion, we can land after 30 min. or so and change seats so you can experience flying from the front seat which is the normal position. These trial lessons of whatever duration can be logged time towards a PPL (Private Pilots Licence) should you decide to embark on a course.

How do I get a licence?
TOP	In order to fly a microlight aeroplane solo and unsupervised you must eventually be at least 17 years of age and in possession of: l An NPPL Microlight Licence. (National Private Pilots Licence, Microlight catagory). (In order to apply for an unrestricted licence you must have a total of at least 25 hours flying time, of these at least 10 hours solo and at least 5 hours navigation training, and also pass the 5 exams referred to below). l A medical ‘declaration of fitness’ countersigned by your own doctor. Note. For the purposes of the trial lesson none of the above requirements are necessary however the following would normally prevent you from flying: Epilepsy, fits, severe head injury, recurrent fainting, giddiness or blackouts, uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure), coronary artery disease, insulin controlled diabetes, or any psychiatric condition or disorder liable to cause incapacitation. Colour vision should be normal. The general health requirements required for flying microlights are the same as those required to drive a goods vehicle as defined by the DVLA.

Do I have to be clever?
TOP	No, but a certain amount of common sense and perception is very useful. Microlight flying is real flying and like all flying is essentially a thinking person’s sport! As well as the practical flying skills you are required to have certain theoretical knowledge and must pass multiple choice exams in the following areas: l Air Law (The "highway code of the air" taken before going solo). l Navigation (How to find your way about without getting lost) l Meteorology (Knowledge of the weather and how it affects aeroplanes. both taken before solo qualifying cross-country flights. - Two of 40nm or more) l Aeroplanes (General) Part 1 (Principles of flight and a basic knowledge of how aeroplanes work etc.) l Human Performance Limitations. (A little bit of basic human biology related to flying. i.e. how flying affects the human body) All of these exams have a 70% pass mark and there is no penalty for wrong answers. None of this stuff is rocket science!* Simply things connected with flying designed to keep you safe and legal. Finally you sit a General Flying Test (GFT) with an examiner, part of which is an oral test concerning in large part the aeroplane type being flown for the test. This constitutes Part 2 of Aeroplanes (General).

How long does it take?
TOP	Exercises are taught to a syllabus approved by the BMAA. The minimum time required to teach all the exercises up to solo standard is 8 hours and it is possible to go solo after this time. The actual time taken to achieve solo standard however will vary with the student’s ability, aptitude and perception (not to mention luck with the weather). In order to apply for an unrestricted licence you must have a total of at least 25 hours flying time, of these at least 10 hours solo and at least 5 hours navigation training. A restricted licence can be obtained in 15h at least 7of which are solo. For the licence application there are time limits on the validity of: l the exams. [12 months, except Aeroplanes (General) Part 2 which is 9 months] l the qualifying cross-country flights. [9 months] l the solo, or pilot-in-command hours. [9 months] You can take as long as you like doing your dual hours, there is no time limit on dual hours. However, I would recommend that once you have decided that you have the finances to learn to fly, that you spend your money as quickly as possible. You will spend less money in the long run this way than if you try and make your money spin out over a long time. It is a proven fact that the main benefits to learning anything is frequent repetition and practice.

Do I need a radio?
TOP	No. Not if you fly in uncontrolled airspace, and there's plenty of that in Northumberland! You only need a radio if you wish to fly in controlled airspace where a 'clearance' is required from an ATC (Air Traffic Controller). You don't need a radio to learn to fly with. When the time comes when you need to talk to your passenger (and the rest of the world) FLYCOM communication equipment and Icom radios are the best you can buy: www.flycom.co.uk For technical specifications on Icom radios: www.icomuk.co.uk

Do I need to be very fit?
TOP	No. I have taught two paraplegics to fly Flexwing Microlights. I have also taught students who had lost the sight of one eye. For fixed-wing microlights no strength at all is required but for flexwings a normal amount of upper body strength is required. A medical is not required but there is a basic requirement for good health equivalent to the requirements of the DVLA Group 2 standard for professional driving. The following would normally prevent you from flying: Epilepsy, fits, severe head injury, recurrent fainting, giddiness or blackouts, uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure), coronary artery disease, insulin controlled diabetes, or any psychiatric condition or disorder liable to cause incapacitation. You are required to periodically sign a declaration of health countersigned by your doctor confirming that you do not suffer from any of the above conditions.

Am I too old to fly?
TOP	No. There is no upper age limit but you do have to be 17 to go solo and subsequently get a licence. (You can start learning at any age). I have taught people 16 to 70+

Is it dangerous?
TOP	Flying is like the rest of life, it contains hazards. At MICROLIGHT FLIGHT TRAINING I teach you how to recognize and deal with these hazards, and thus keep you out of danger. You can make flying as safe or as dangerous as you choose. On a scale of danger from 1 to 10 where playing tiddlywinks is rated 1 and smoking is rated 10, I would rate microlight flying at about 5 and driving motorcars about 6. Flying (like driving) is not of itself inherently dangerous but can be very unforgiving of carelessness.

How can I pay?
TOP	Most students pay as they go by the hour or part of the hour pro rata. A discount of 10% is given If lessons are bought in a block of 10. This means you get 10 lessons (10 hours flying) for the price of nine. Briefing and de-briefing time (approx 40-50 min) is extra to the flying time and is not charged for.

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