Want to be a Pilot? (it's cheaper than you think!)
The syllabus for the NPPL (M) requires a minimum of 25 hours flying instruction of which 15 hours must be dual and 10 hours are solo.
The course will cover both general handling skills and navigation to include two Solo Qualifying Cross-Country flights. There is only one Skills Test to be taken - the General Flying Test.
You are required to demonstrate the aeronautical knowledge to pass the Microlight set of written exams including an oral technical exam during your GFT. These subjects cover:
* Aviation Law
* Human Performance & Limitations
* Navigation
* Aircraft General
* Aircraft Specific (Oral as part of GFT)
The medical requirements are for a certificate of fitness from your GP, equivalent to the DVLA Group 2 professional driving medical standard.
You can find out more information on the NPPL here.
There are two types of microlight
aircraft, one is derived from hang-glider technology and the basic
principle to operating the weight-shift, as it is called, is by moving
the wing in the airflow to manoeuvre the aircraft in the air, usually
you are open to the elements in this type of aircraft.
Weight-shift are great fun to fly - think of a
motorbike in the sky - and can be purchased from as little as £1,000.
The other type of microlight aircraft uses the conventional stick and rudder
to control it. Sitting in an enclosed cockpit, these have surfaces on the wings and tail-plane
(ailerons, elevator and rudder) which can be moved in
the airflow, to manoeuvre the aircraft in the air. This
standard configuration is better known as 3-Axis.
As the flight for life team only use 3-Axis types we are concentrating
on these below.
Most aircraft are brought in a syndicate, typically a couple of students who a learning at the same time purchase an aircraft between them, sharing the cost of insurance and maintenance etc.
Costs of aircraft vary from £2,500 for a second hand Thruster TST to £75,000+ for a new Dynamic (below).
Although the Dynamic is a very sleek aircraft the £2,500 Thruster is still capable of taking you and a friend to France for lunch.
Some of the most popular aircraft choices (by price):
THRUSTER TST & Sprint Price: £2,500 - £15,000 (Typical £4,500)
Very strong, and originally designed in Australia for the rugged outback.
The Thruster range starts with the 55hp open cockpit 2 stroke TST (left) up to the fully enclosed Sprint version (above) powered by the 85hp Jabiru 2.2lt 4- stroke engine. |
X-AIR Price: £2,500 - £10,000 (Typical £5,500) Similar to the Thruster, but not as aerodynamic. This means that the X-air is slower and less fuel efficient. The Xair has been around for a while, and it's not as popular as the Thruster. Consequently there are quite a few low priced examples around. |
CFM SHADOW Price: £3,500 - £12,000 (Typical £7,500)
The design is over 20 years old, and they are no longer made, but the Shadow is still one of the safest Microlights, and possibly the easiest to fly. The visibility from the front is superb, the rear seat unfortunately is small and noisy. The wings come off and it can be kept in a trailer. Powered by 60hp 2-stroke Rotax engines. The Shadow is a classic.
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DENNY KITFOX Price: £7,000 - £16,000 (Typical £10,000)
Powered by 65hp 2-stroke or 90hp 4-stroke engines. The Kitfox is a roomy and a competent aircraft.
The Kitfox wings can be folded single handed in 5 minuets, keeping hangerage cost low.
The earlier models were known for poor handling but the later Mk3 has been greatly improved.
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 RANS S6ES COYOTE II Price: £5,500 - £22,000 (Typical £12,000)
One of the most popular microlights ever built with over 2,000 of them flying world wide.
The Rans has a large cockpit and a useful luggage compartment which makes it ideal for touring. It's constructed using aluminium tubes bolted to a main steel safety cell. The body and wings are covered in a rip proof nylon called Dacron. It can be powered by both 65hp 2-stroke and 90hp 4-stroke engines. The wings can also be folded.
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 JABIRU UL 430 & 450 Price: £19,000 - £45,000 (Typical £25,000)
All composite with removable wings and a 85hp 4- stroke engine makes the tiny Jabiru a popular choice. Built for speed and economy, the Jabiru is delicate, and difficult to fly at slow speeds - not recommended for a beginner. Although there is space for luggage, weight is an issue with the Jabiru, with owners having to trade fuel capacity for luggage.
Max speed is 140mph, and with up to 6 hours endurance the Jabiru can cover great distance. Current record holder for speed, height and fuel consumption. |
IKARUS C42 Price: £30,000 - £48,000 (Typical £33,000)
Made from alloy tubes with the wings covered in fabric and the main body covered in fibreglass.
90mph cruise is achievable from the popular 90hp Rotax 912 4-stroke engine.
Easier to fly, and more robust than the Jabiru, this combined with cheep repair costs makes the Ikarus Popular with training schools.
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DYNAMIC Price: £45,000 - £65,000 (Typical £50,000)
The Dynamic along with the Dan-aero Ban-Bi are part of the new generation of carbon fibre 'Hot Ships' Powered by the Rotax 912s 110hp 4-stroke.
The new bread of Microlights can fly at over 160mph. But weight limits can be an issue. Currently these Microlights are the fastest 'Hot Ships' available.
Remember a simple £2,500 Thruster can still get you to France for lunch!
Quite a few Microlights can be de-rigged (wings taken off) and kept in a trailer. This drastically reduces the cost of keeping the plane at an airfield. Some owners have been known to keep the plane at home in its trailer, and then tow it to the airfield when required.
Here's a link to how the flight for life teams Jabiru (G-SIMP) is Rigged.
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