Microlight Lessons

[Hagar]

[quote][quote]Hi rottydaddy, in good old England the power that be are not as kind to GA flying over here to land at any airfield/airport all planes pay landing fees. This seems to work out at about

[zeberdee]

"The only reason to pay for a 172 is to get the utility (speed, range, 4 seats, IFR flight, good useful load) along with the fun.
For raw fun and nothing else, or to make very slow epic x-cs for bragging rights alone, an ultralight or microlight is definitely the thing to get. "

LOOK at this http://www.jabiru.co.uk/aircraft/aircraft_range.htm  Look at the J400 SCROLL down and CLICK ON THE COMPARISON betwwen the J400 and Cessna 172
The J400 will fly higher carry more with full tanks further at 11Ltr/hr less. It is a four seat plane


 

[Hagar]

[quote]"The only reason to pay for a 172 is to get the utility (speed, range, 4 seats, IFR flight, good useful load) along with the fun.
For raw fun and nothing else, or to make very slow epic x-cs for bragging rights alone, an ultralight or microlight is definitely the thing to get. "

LOOK at this http://www.jabiru.co.uk/aircraft/aircraft_range.htm

[beaky]

LOOK at this http://www.jabiru.co.uk/aircraft/aircraft_range.htm  Look at the J400 SCROLL down and CLICK ON THE COMPARISON betwwen the J400 and Cessna 172
The J400 will fly higher carry more with full tanks further at 11Ltr/hr less. It is a four seat plane


 

Yeah, I saw that... wasn't comparing the 172 to the J400, really, and frankly there's not much comparison- the Jabiru blows the 172 away, as long as one is willing to build it, and deal with the minor restrictions imposed by the Experimental certification (as apply to kitplanes in the US).
The next-generation 4-seat Cessna might be almost as good as the J400... but cost about 3 times as much and use more fuel, to boot.  I love the Skyhawk, but it's become an outdated design.

[beaky]

Archamedes could do a lot worse than visit for the International Microlight Exhibition in May Popham Airfield

Yes, I think there's a trike or something out there with his name on it...
I'd like one, too, someday, just for fun.
At the one Airventure gathering in Oshkosh I've attended so far, the Ultralight crowd seemed to be having a blast, and were the first ones in the air at dawn and the last to take one more hop at dusk... and for very little money.

[archamedes]

The landing charges are kind of like when you park your car in a carpark, sometimes you need to pay. Anyway, Its been quite good to look around at the prices to see what is the cheapest. I heard this somewhere but have no idea on how true it is that microlight pilots are compared to skateboarders and plane pilots compared to mountain bikers, because certain microlighters consider it an extreme sport rather than just flying for fun. Is this true? I would love to take a look at one of those microlight shows that was explained on the last page, souns like fun.

[Hagar]

I heard this somewhere but have no idea on how true it is that microlight pilots are compared to skateboarders and plane pilots compared to mountain bikers, because certain microlighters consider it an extreme sport rather than just flying for fun. Is this true?

I think a better comparison would be motorists & bikers. Microlights are sometimes regarded as a bit of a nuisance & are not welcome on some airfields. I suspect this is due to the behaviour of a minority. As with all hobbies a wide range of people from all walks of life is involved. (Both microlights & bikers are welcome at Popham.)

I would love to take a look at one of those microlight shows that was explained on the last page, souns like fun

I don't know where you live in the UK but Popham Airfield is in Hampshire between Winchester and Basingstoke. http://www.popham-airfield.co.uk/Location_Maps.htm
It's just off the M3 & not difficult to get to. The next Microlight Exhibition is on 5th & 6th May. You can see what's available & talk to the people who do it.

To give a lttle hint of the atmosphere here's a couple of the many photos I took at this event last season.



G-GSCV is an Ikarus C42, a popular 2-seater fixed-wing microlight. http://www.pilotweb.aero/content/articles/view_article.aspx?id=3260

[archamedes]

thanks for that hagar i think i will definatly make an appearance. I come from hertfodshire so a little bit of a trek but worth it. I did find a microlight only flying club near me that will do the whole training for