When microlighting goes bad

[Ayahuasca]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErgpJzcAS6s

I am thinking of taking up microlighting but found this on you-tube. What happens when the engine stops...

(not fatal by the way, but very painful).

Any experienced pilots know what he could have done better?

Apparently these machines have a 5:1 glide ratio which doesn't seem all that good.

[useyourdellusion]

Ayahuasca said:

Any experienced pilots know what he could have done better?

Fitted a fuel filter.

Seriously though, that's quite scary. A mate of mine was thinking of taking it up too, I might have to show him this.

[sjp63]

I was trained to always expect an engine failure (its not that it happens that often, but it just good practice) so it is a bad idea to fly over trees at that height especially in one of those low performance machines.

These days most microlights glide pretty well although when the engine stops you need to get the nose down pretty quick.

[andytk]

I counted 4 seconds between engine failure and hitting the tree tops.

Even with a crap glide ratio, how the hell low do you have to be to have 4 seconds to impact?

His error would appear to be attempting to cross difficult terrain too low?

Flying over the truck stop/park is in contravention of UK regs (you have to be able to glide clear of populated areas in the event of engine failure). Although this looks like the states/Oz due to the truck types, so different regs apply.

Andy

[poo at Paul's]

Yup. Needed more height before the turn, or turn far tighter and be above that lovely road when the motor let go!

[E31Shrew]

Good to see liberal use of protective clothing!

[simonrockman]

He wasn't planning on gaining much height, even in the summer it gets cold if you fly high.

[hman]

A company that worked for me got me an experience flight ticket in a microlight.

I returned it to them and said that if they wanted more orders from me then they shouldnt be tempting my fate.

[Totti]

I fly Microlights and its a good cheap way of getting into aviation. Id recommend it to anyone!

[funster]

Too low, too slow. He stalled pretty much straight away indicating he didn't get anywhere near cruise speed - the pre-curser to that was not 'flying the runway' (take off to about 10ft when poss, build up extra speed then climb) when he first took off and instead went straight into the climb. Unfortunately the guy had 'novice' written all over him, but he survived which is the main thing.

Definitely take up microlighting if you can, it's far safer than you might think and a relatively cheap way to get some good flying in. Also consider the range of aircraft available too, I fly an Ikarus C42 which give a 120 mph cruise speed, no traffic and a 400 mile+ range - happy days. Use www.microlighthangar.co.uk as a good source of info.