Anyone fly microlights?
Discussion
I'm thinking about learning to fly one of these things.
My thinking is:
I guess the most basic question is whether to learn on 3-axis or weight-shift; I'm tending toward the former as it's more of a 'proper' aeroplane and would make the transition to NPPL easier, should I choose to progress later, but are there any big advantages to weight-shift types that I need to consider?
How intrusive is the legislation that restricts use? Can you just go out and take off from a suitable field (with permission), when the weather's fine, or are there all sorts of restrictions on flight plans etc? What about maintenance/certification?
Anything to avoid, or any good advice from people with experience?
My thinking is:
- I'm colourblind, so I'm going to be limited to NPPL and fine-weather flying in the UK anyway, hence the normal limitations of microlights aren't as critical.
- I probably can't afford to buy and run anything fancy by way of a 'proper' plane, so I might as well resign myself to pottering around in fine weather.
- The idea of basic, string-and-canvas type flying technology kind of appeals...
I guess the most basic question is whether to learn on 3-axis or weight-shift; I'm tending toward the former as it's more of a 'proper' aeroplane and would make the transition to NPPL easier, should I choose to progress later, but are there any big advantages to weight-shift types that I need to consider?
How intrusive is the legislation that restricts use? Can you just go out and take off from a suitable field (with permission), when the weather's fine, or are there all sorts of restrictions on flight plans etc? What about maintenance/certification?
Anything to avoid, or any good advice from people with experience?
NoelWatson said:
I am informed the old safety issues have been eliminated with the new models
Worth some further thought then.£50K seems a bit steep for something with the functionality of a microlight and only a little higher cruise speed, though, and second hand availability and pricing doesn't look particularly promising?
Zippee said:
...but it will be in 3 axis (Thruster etc) due to the slightly more practicle layout.
Could you expand?This would be nothing more than an occasional weekend toy, so the low cost of a flexwing is appealing, but clearly 3-axis is considered to be a definite step up?
What are the advantages, would you say?
eharding said:
The ultimate G-loads they're tested to are quite low as well - +6/-3 (that's ultimate, not operational).
Having pulled maybe a couple of G lateral and braking in a racing car, that's actually pretty bloody inpressive for something made out of alloy tubes and fabric, braced with bits of wire!Smart roadster said:
Being restricted to an NPPL doesn't mean you can't fly group "A" aircraft.
No, I appreciate that - just that I was kind of thinking that the additional cost of buying and running a 'proper' aeroplane would be difficult to justify if I was limited to UK air space and fine-weather flying by my licence restrcition. If I could use it for the occaisonal jaunt to the South of France, it might be a different matter...Smart roadster said:
The big advantage of modern flex wings over "hot" 3 axis machines is greater pay load....
This is usueful, and something that hadn't occurred to me, I must admit. The main reason I haven't got round to doing anything about this yet is that basically I'm a bit of a fat b
d (circa 100 kilos) and I'm trying to get my weight down a bit to give me a comfortable magin for the weigh limits that most microlight training schools seem to apply.The issue of payload wasn't one I'd thought about, but it's certainly valid in my case!
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