The official BMAA guide to Free microlighting

Welcome to the world of microlights!

Affordable fl ying for all! Published by the British Microlight Aircraft Association 1 WELCOME to the British Microlight Contents Aircraft Association Offi cial Guide 1 Introduction to Microlighting! This guide aims to give you an all-round understanding of what can be found and achieved 1 Introduction within the wonderful world of microlighting. Going solo: A feeling I will never forget 2 History The ability to fl y has been a dream of By Dan Roach so many since that fi rst fl ight by the 3 Learning to fl y Wright brothers in 1903. The BMAA has been in existence since 1980, GLANCING across at the empty passenger seat I laughed ing checks, supervised by Marcus, he took control to take 4 Types of microlight supporting and helping people fulfi l out loud. I was pilot-in-command of an aircraft for the fi rst us into the skies. And that was when I experienced “that that dream. time and I couldn’t believe it. view” on what was a crystal-clear winter’s day. 5 I’d wanted to learn to fl y since I was a little boy, but it was I remember thinking, “You get paid to do this?” Reading Ownership Microlighting makes fl ying accessible something that seemed far out of reach. And then I heard my mind, Marcus grinned. “Welcome to my offi ce. What to all, offering an affordable and fun about microlight aircraft. do you think of the view?” My smile perfectly refl ected the 6 Build a plane way to take to the skies. There are Just over three months had passed since, at the tender age emotions I was feeling. many microlight training schools of 38, I fi rst walked through the door of my local fl ying  ree months later I was fl ying downwind and preparing around the UK, giving you the school. I had only intended to enquire about microlight fl y- for my fi rst solo landing. Was I nervous, scared, worried 7 BMAA initiatives when Marcus hopped out of the cockpit and nonchalantly opportunity to take a trial fl ight or ing, but Marcus made me feel so at ease that when he as- sumed that I wanted to book a lesson, I simply said yes. My announced, “I’m off to get a cup of tea. You can go and do a full course of training leading to a perception that aviation is some kind of exclusive club had that on your own now”? Briefl y, yes, but the training and 8 Youth schemes Private Pilot’s Licence. been totally misguided. teaching in the BMAA syllabus are superb, and as soon as he got out my focus switched to using the skills and follow- Less than two weeks later I was strapping in to a Eurostar 9 The BMAA The term “microlight” is based upon ing the procedures that I had been taught. the aircraft having a maximum of (or in my mind, a small fi ghter plane) for my fi rst lesson. I could almost hear the Top Gun theme tune and made a I’ve fl own many hours now and my aviators are well worn, two seats and being within a certain mental note to get some aviator sunglasses. but that fi rst solo was indescribably special. It was 15 min- weight parameter. The most popular utes that felt like 15 seconds, and it’s a memory I will cher- “Right, get the checklist out,” smiled Marcus. types of microlight are fl exwing and ish for the rest of my life. fi xed-wing planes, which you can Wow, I was going to be part of the fl ight crew from minute Front cover A Quik exwing from P&M and a one!  is was even better than I had thought. I was a little fi nd more about in Section 4.  xed-wing Skyranger (photo: Steve Grimshaw) nervous when Marcus asked me to start the checks, but he This page Pilot Mark Macrea coasting over the Welcome to the world of knew exactly how much to push me and when to ease off . beach (photo: Stuart Buchanan) microlighting! After I’d taxied out to the hold and completed the remain-

2 3 2 History

THE British microlight movement really got underway in As the microlight movement grew, the UK Civil Aviation AX3 (photo 5) and AX2000, all aircraft made of tradition- the early 1980s. Hang gliders had developed from fl oat- Authority (CAA) decided that there should be regulation al materials; aluminium tube and fabric covering. down-the-hill machines to ridge soaring with some cross- to control pilot licensing and aircraft airworthiness.  e  e changes in defi nition also allowed three-axis aircraft country capability. BMAA was formed largely to manage this threat. By the to develop, and in 1999 Skydrive introduced the fi rst alu- Of course, soon pilots looked at ways of getting airborne end of 1982, the BMAA had 2500 members and was nego- minium microlight, the EV-97 Eurostar (see p8).  is air- without climbing up a hill. Winch launching was proving tiating licensing and airworthiness with the CAA. By 1984, craft has been extremely popular with schools and pilots tricky to get right, so someone just put an engine on a hang all new aircraft had to comply with Permit to Fly airworthi- and is still going strong 20 years on. Another very popular glider (photo 1, opposite) and it became a yet-to-be-named ness regulations and all pilots had to have licenses. three-axis aircraft is the Ikarus C42 tube and fabric air- aircraft type, the microlight.  e BMAA developed as an organisation to challenge regu- craft, available as a kit or factory-built (see p7). 1 2 3 Not long afterwards, simple wheeled structures were devel- lation and make a name as a strong voice for its members. Although at the very start of UK microlight fl ying pilots 4 5 oped to hold the engine and seat, and so the fi rst “trikes” Competition fl ying started in 1984, with the British team were enthusiastic builders and tinkerers, many now buy were born (photo 2). At the same time, other strange fl ying winning the fi rst World Microlight Championships in factory-produced aircraft.  ere are kits available such as contraptions were being created that were loosely based on 1985. Ever since then, the British team has won many team the Skyranger (see front cover and p13). Sold in the UK fi xed-wing aircraft with aerodynamic controls.  ese were and individual events. by Flylight Airsports, hundreds of examples are fl ying in largely American designs that found their way to the UK. As microlighting became more popular, aircraft became the UK. more capable. Flexwing design changed radically when the So, from the very simple “daredevil” constructions of 40 defi nition of a microlight was changed, allowing heavier years ago, UK microlighting has come a long way to become Photos aircraft and smaller wings.  e (see p7) was a very civilised form of recreational aviation. Microlight pi- 1 A Soarmaster from 1978 the fi rst fl exwing that could truly maintain level fl ight at lots all have one thing in common though: they do it for the 2 A typical early trike, the of 1983 100mph. An example of this type was the fi rst microlight love of fl ying, the camaraderie and the joy the sport shares (photo: Derek Allen) to fl y a pre-planned route of 1000 nautical miles in one day. with all microlight enthusiasts! 3 The canard-winged Pterodactyl was a popular early  e strange contraptions that had come from America and To see a more detailed history of UK microlighting visit our American design. This particular example, despite France emulating conventional aircraft types also devel- website, bmaa.org. dating from the early 1980s, is still in good ying oped into more recognisable conventional aircraft shapes. order (photo: Roger Pattrick) An early aircraft was the Shadow (photo 4). First as a sin- 4 The Shadow featured a high-wing and tandem gle-seat aircraft and later as a two-seater, it became very seating (photo: Keith Negal) popular and identifi able with its high wing and tandem 5 The AX3 is a  xed-wing but is made from tube and seating arrangement.  e  ruster design from Australia fabric like a exwing (see p9) became a school standard, later challenged by the

4 5 3 Learning to fl y

LEARNING to fl y is one of the most rewarding of chal- lenges. Students remember their fi rst solo and their GST (General Skills Test) for the rest of their lives. Anyone planning to learn wants to know how it all works, how much it will cost and how long it will take.  e National Private Pilot’s Licence (NPPL) microlight rating requires a minimum of 25 hours fl ying training, 10 of which must be solo. A few achieve their licences within weeks, but others can take a year or so.  ere is also a restricted licence that requires at least 15 hours training, which means you can only fl y solo and you are able to fl y no more than eight miles from your takeoff quickly, but if bad weather causes delays some schools to drive a car, and not on current medication for psychiatric Along with the fl ight test there are also fi ve ground exams  e Aircraft Technical exam ensures that the student pilot and when it is not, and can anticipate and plan for changes point.  is option can be a good fi rst step towards gaining off er intensive courses, both in the UK and abroad so problems, you’re fi t to fl y. that need to be passed. If the thought of groundschool understands how the aircraft fl ies and how its engine and to the weather during a fl ight. your full licence. you can learn in more consistent weather conditions. A budget of £3000 to £4500 should cover your training, in- study and exams worries you, don’t let them. You have control systems work. It also covers the factors that aff ect Human Factors covers all the diff erent factors that can af- aircraft performance.  e cost of training varies widely, depending on a number  ere is an age limit of 14 for learning to fl y. At 16 you can cluding both fl ying and groundschool, compared to £8000 the support of your instructor, you can take groundschool fect the way a pilot performs in fl ight. of factors, including: fl y solo and at 17 you can take your GST fl ight exam, which to £11,000 for a light aircraft licence. classes in all subjects, and each subject relates to what goes Air Law training ensures that the pilot understands how You can fi nd the BMAA syllabus at bmaa.org.  ere are on in the air whilst fl ying.  ey are much easier to under- the laws of the air apply to him or her. • Your and your instructor’s availability. Th e more you fl y, will give you your Microlight NPPL. You are then able to  e fl ying will involve progressing from straight and level many microlight training facilities throughout the UK: the faster you learn. At least once a week is best, if you take to the skies and can carry on fl ying for life, so long as fl ight and simple turns, to taking off and landing, dealing stand when put into that context. Navigation training provides pilots with the necessary visit bmaa.org/try-microlighting/schools-and-clubs to fi nd have the funds and the time. the CAA licensing rules are followed and your licence is with emergencies, and other skills, until that magical mo-  ere are fi ve multiple-choice exams: skills and knowledge to plan before a fl ight and then fl y to where you can visit your local school. kept current. ment when the instructor steps out and sends you on your that plan, knowing at all times where they are and how to • Weather. If it’s good, progress can be made surprisingly • Air Law Because the microlight category has a maximum all-up fi rst solo circuit. No one ever forgets it. get where they want to go.  ese days many pilots also use • Navigation weight, there are restrictions on maximum seat weight of After that, there’s more solo taking off and landing, then a GPS as backup, but the training is still crucial. Photos A  xed-wing EV-97 Eurostar SL (left); and a 90–120kg, depending on the type of aircraft. Contact the cross-country fl ights, at fi rst with the instructor, then solo, • Meteorology Meteorology lessons give a suffi cient understanding of the exwing Quik from P&M Aviation (right; photo: East of BMAA for more information. until you’re ready for your General Skills Test and that un- • Aircraft Technical weather, and how it aff ects the performance and safety of Scotland Microlights) You don’t have to pay for an expensive medical. If you’re fi t forgettable moment when you are awarded your wings. • Human Factors the aircraft, so that the pilot can know when it is safe to fl y

6 7 4 The types of microlight

Microlight aircraft are defi ned by maximum you share, and some have individual fl oor-mounted sticks weight – 450kg for two seat and 300kg for in front of each seat. In either case the aircraft follows the single seat – and a maximum stall speed of stick: move it forward and the aircraft points down and speeds up; pull it back and the aircraft climbs and slows, 35kts. They can have one or two seats, not meaning it’s usually time for a spot of throttle. Move the more. There are three different control types: stick to the left or right, and the aircraft banks that way. three-axis, weightshift and parachute Fully enclosed cabins off er increased comfort, particularly for non-fl ying partners and friends. In fact, many modern fi xed-wings come with heated cabins. Fixed-wing Generally, fi xed-wing aircraft need to be kept in a hangar at the airfi eld. A few can be folded and taken home on a BET your fi rst thought was: “Hang on, that isn’t a microlight! trailer. – that looks like a plane!” Prices for fi xed-wing machines are usually a little more  anks to the rapid technical advances possible with the than for fl exwings; older ones that do around 50mph can relatively light regulation required for microlights, the perfor- be as little as £4000 secondhand, but if you’re looking to mance of the newer fi xed-wing versions outstrips that of the buy new, prices start at approximately £28,000.  e more traditional light aircraft you see at airfi elds, and by a consider- luxurious models can cost in excess of £100,000. able margin.  ey use smaller airfi elds, fl y faster and cost less Mind you, for the top price you’ll get a machine that will fl y to buy and maintain. In fact, they are so good that many pilots off something as short as a 150m runway, cruise at 130mph of heavier aircraft are changing to fl ying microlights. or fl y fl at out at 160mph, can be self-maintained, use as lit- Most fi xed-wing microlights are fully enclosed, though many tle as 10 litres of fuel an hour and could fl y non-stop from of the older ones just have a windscreen. Mostly you sit side by London to Madrid.  side, which is more sociable than tandem seating! You’ll have headsets and an intercom to talk to each other in fl ight, but helmets are very rarely used. On the ground, you Facing page EV-97 Eurostar (photo: Paul Kiddell) steer using the rudder pedals – push left to go left – and control your speed using the throttle and brakes. In the air the main This page Thruster Sprint from Thruster Air Services control is the joystick. Some have a single central stick which (photo: Ken Crompton)

8 9 Flexwing Powered parachutes

FOR most people, fl exwings are the defi nitive microlight, IF circumstances rule out pursuing a full microlight pilot’s with a hang-glider-style wing that is fl exible like a sail – licence, there are always powered parachutes. hence the name. You can get foot-launched fl exwings, You will need a pilot’s licence to fl y one, but it’s simpler known as powered hang gliders, but most people choose and quicker to get than for other microlights, and there are wheeled versions, colloquially known as trikes.  ey are a only three controls: the throttle and two lines.  e throttle bit like aerial motorbikes: the pilot sits in the front with the makes you climb or descend, and you pull the left line to passenger tucked in close behind. turn left, and vice versa. Simple. On some models, the lines To continue the motorbike analogy, to keep warm you’ll are connected to foot pedals. need a fl ying suit and a full-face helmet to keep the wind With a cruising speed of around 45mph, you can show your off your face and allow you to hear each other through the friends round the local scenery, and when you land, the intercom. Your school will provide these for your training. whole ensemble lives on a trailer that will fi t in your garage. On the ground, you steer the front wheel with your feet.  e aircraft also has a footbrake on the left and a foot throt- tle on the right. When in fl ight, you manoeuvre the aircraft Single-seat deregulated by using the base bar of the wing: bar forwards, pitch up, or fl y slowly; bar back, pitch down or fl y fast, in conjunction microlights (SSDR) with power increases or decreases. Pull the right wingtip down to go right; pull the left wingtip down to go left. SINGLE-seat microlights can be fl exwing or fi xed wing, or  e view is unparalleled, and the direct connection with powered parachutes.  ey have a maximum take-off weight the controls makes you feel in closer contact with the air including the pilot of 300kg. For this type you need a li- than with any other form of powered fl ying. It’s a buzz that cence to fl y but you do not need an aircraft permit; this never loses its appeal. reduces the cost and allows for development, such as ex- periments with engines, propellers and so on. SSDR off ers When you’ve fi nished fl ying, you can fold the wing up and an aff ordable and fun style of fl ying, and the plane can be trailer the trike home, though many owners prefer the con- small enough to be housed in a trailer or even in the boot of venience of keeping them rigged in a hangar at the airfi eld. your car.  ere’s a huge choice of types. Older machines are perfectly serviceable, will do 50mph and are available from about £2000. If you want to buy new, prices range from £10,000 to £65,000 – enough to buy an aircraft that can cruise at Photos, from far left exwing 100mph and is a serious touring machine. How serious? (photo: Gavin Clark) ; playtime in a Flylight Dragon y  ey’ve been fl own around the world – that’s how serious! SSDR microlight (Ben Ashman); and Aerochute Dual

10 11 5 Owning a 6 Build your microlight own plane

ONCE you have decided to fl y microlights you may want to YES! It is possible to build your own plane; lots of peo- take the decision to purchase your own aircraft. You can do ple do. If you are the type of person who might enjoy the this by looking at the secondhand market or buying from challenge of building your own plane, there are several kits new, giving you fl exibility to purchase within your budget. available to buy.  ere are a variety of diff erent types, styles and models to You will need a work space that will be inspected, which choose from within the aircraft marketplace. could simply be a garage at home.  e kit will arrive with a Another possibility – and one that is maybe more cost eff ec- build manual and you will have the support of the kit man- tive – is to become a shareholder within a syndicate, a group ufacturer to help you along the way, plus a local BMAA of people who share ownership and responsibilities for the inspector who will visit several times during the build to care of an aircraft. It is also possible to hire a microlight by ensure all steps are followed and that the build quality is the hour at certain airfi elds and clubs. up to standard. Aircraft are normally hangared or kept at an airfi eld, which Very few specialist tools are required to build your own will incur a monthly fee payable to the proprietor or owner. plane; you just need patience, time and skill. Once the Some microlights can be trailered home for safekeeping, build is complete and the aircraft has been registered and and are rigged and de-rigged for fl ying. insured it would be taken to an airfi eld for a test fl ight by Just like a car, most aircraft will also need an annual inspec- a BMAA test pilot. It would then be signed off ready to re- tion for a permit to fl y, similar to an MOT, and will also ceive its permit to fl y, after which will come your proudest need to be insured. moment: to take to the sky in a plane built by your own fair hands! For more information visit bmaa.org.

Right A Skyranger under construction. This aircraft Left A syndicate can be a great way to go ying on a is one of Britain’s most popular kits (photos: Pete and budget Mandy Jenkins)

12 13 7 BMAA initiatives

The BMAA has many initiatives to support, encourage and grow the microlight community. Described here are four such initiatives; for the complete picture visit bmaa.org

Competitions Support programmes THE BMAA Open Series competition has been designed THE BMAA encourages all to discover and enjoy the to take the best bits of some competition tasks and make world of microlight fl ying.  e number of female pilots is them better, to use the fun side of any task and to dispense growing year on year and more and more disabled fl yers are with the over-complicated parts. Reconnecting each task now participating, competing and organising wonderful with the actual fl ying skill, it was designed to include pre- fl ights for charity. cision landings, short-fi eld operation, strong navigational skills and eff ective use of GPS navigation tools. BMAA Wings award scheme Events are held up and down the country during the fl y- ing season, each one organised by a team of volunteers THE BMAA Wings scheme is designed to encourage who marshal the event, organise food and refreshments all BMAA members to continue to improve their fl ight plan- weekend, and keep everyone topped up with fuel as they ning, their aircraft handling skills and their understanding require. Each event levies a small fee to cover costs such as of aviation safety.  e aim throughout is for the BMAA landing fees and camping facilities; competitors otherwise member to become a safer and better pilot. need only pay for their meals. All great fun and, most im-  e Wings scheme has four levels of award: Bronze, Silver, portantly, increasing pilot skills and camaraderie! Gold and Diamond. To qualify for each level, the pilot will gain achievements from a selection of fl ight, educational This page Events and safety tasks. After the fi rst Bronze Award, each level White cli s (photo: Andrew Fell) becomes slightly more demanding, encouraging pilots to THERE are many organised events all over the UK and expand their skills and knowledge, while having fun and Facing page abroad that bring the microlight world together: fl y-ins, air becoming a better pilot. Microlight world champion David Broom displays, competitions and many more! For more informa- at the 2015 World Air Games, Dubai tion on what is happening, or for more information on any (photo: Marcus King/James Pagram) of the BMAA initiatives, visit bmaa.org.

14 15 8 Youth schemes

New Horizons The Bursary scheme Build-a-Plane project IN 2013 the BMAA purchased an aircraft kit to be con- My favourite thing about ying is the satisfaction you structed by students in a school in Coventry.  e New Ho- feel crossing the hedge at the end of the strip on a rizons projects are just one way that the BMAA encourages “ perfect approach. There is something very gratifying young people to become interested and engaged in aviation. about gradually aring and the plane gently sinking  e fi rst aircraft was completed by the students and is now to the ground under your control 1 2 fl ying, owned by a BMAA member. – 17-year-old Lucinda Beeson, Further aircraft have been built by groups of young people 3 in schools, colleges and other youth groups. Builders have Bursary award winner gained practical experience of engineering as they con- struct the kit; they also learn about aerodynamics, aviation WE think almost every airfi eld has an enthusiastic young- history and modern aviation. Some students have recorded ster who shows up every weekend and is happy to clean, and published the build using social media, encouraging work and do pretty much anything to get a fl ight. For other groups to ask for BMAA projects. some, just being given the opportunity to talk fl ying with Any group can apply for a New Horizons aircraft; they will those who have climbed the dizzy heights to attaining a need suitable premises and someone with build experience licence is enough to keep up the weekend pilgrimage to the to oversee the project.  e BMAA pays for the kit, so there local airfi eld. is very little cost to the builders. It is exactly these people that the BMAA wishes to support, to bring their NPPL a little step closer and the next World Champion a natural next progression! Left Bursary award winners Lucinda Beeson (1) and We award funding each year to selected candidates be- Thomas Palmer (2) – that  rst solo means the world tween the ages of 15 and 20 on the date of the award. In or- to a young pilot; and (3) Benenden School girls with der to qualify they must show some history of an interest in the Skyranger Swift they built, with appropriate microlighting and will be selected by an appointed panel. registration  ere will be some additional fl ying and ground-based as- Right Connor Foster, recipient of a BMAA bursary sessments to ensure we get exactly the right people.

16 17 BMAA trial flight 9 The BMAA: Who we are If you would like to take to the skies with a BMAA instructor to try a  xed-wing or exwing microlight ight for yourself or as a gift, the BMAA has trial ight vouchers available to purchase. They are available online at: bmaa.org/try-microlighting/ ight-training-vouchers

THE BMAA is the national association formed by microlight to infl uence regulation and protect our fl ying environment. pilots with the sole intention of always getting the best of  ese groups include the All-Party Parliamentary Group everything for our members so that we can continue to fl y for General Aviation, the General Aviation Alliance and the Student in training our very special aircraft for pure enjoyment and fun. General Aviation Awareness Council. Since its formation in 1980 the BMAA has been pivotal in As a BMAA member you will benefi t from the support of discount infl uencing the aviation regulators, the Civil Aviation Au- an organisation dedicated to the sport of microlight fl ying. thority (CAA) and the Department for Transport (DfT), You will be able to access technical services and ask any If you are a student pilot in training and would like to ensure that regulation encourages microlight fl ying number of questions and for advice to help you get the most to join and support the BMAA, please follow the rather than stifl es it. We have been very successful: for ex- out of your fl ying. link to receive a special discounted rate for ight ample the syllabus for training to gain the microlight pilot’s students. You will gain all the bene ts of the BMAA To keep you informed and entertained, your membership licence was written by the BMAA and is continually re- membership at a special discounted rate! Welcome! includes a full-colour magazine posted to you every month, viewed to ensure it remains valid and proportionate as UK full of interesting stories, readers’ letters, technical and bmaa.org/the-bmaa/membership-join-or-renew microlighting develops. We also negotiated a simple level of safety matters, fl ight tests, a quiz and much more. medical standard for microlight pilots at a time when other forms of aviation must meet increasing levels. You can also subscribe to an online mid-month newslet- ter with great microlight and general fl ying videos and all  e BMAA employs staff who are experts in pilot licensing, BMAA membership aeronautical engineering and aviation regulation.  e engi- the entries to our monthly picture competition.  e BMAA website is also full of information to assist members and neers are approved by the CAA to ensure that aircraft de- If you would like to join and support the BMAA in the signs meet the legal structural and fl ight handling require- carries news and event information. work that we do, you can apply online for a variety of ments dictated by the CAA.  e cost to members of the We at the BMAA hope you have enjoyed reading the di erent memberships. Becoming a member allows engineering services provided by the BMAA is signifi cantly O cial Guide to Microlighting and that you have learned you access to the BMAA website, expert advice, less than going to outside sources or the CAA themselves. something about our sport and how you can take part. support and a monthly subscription to Microlight Flying magazine. Please follow the link to sign up! All UK recreational aviation is under a constant threat To join the BMAA, please head to bmaa.org/membership of loss of airspace to fl y in and airfi elds to fl y from.  e where you will fi nd our application page.  ere is even a bmaa.org/the-bmaa/membership-join-or-renew BMAA is very active with other recreational aviation monthly payment option to spread the cost of your mem- Photo groups in representing our interests in these areas; helping bership. We look forward to welcoming you on board! P&M Aviation QuikR (photo: Tim Jackson)

18 19 BMAA Quiksand The Bullring, Deddington P&M Aviation Quik exwings on the beach at Banbury, Oxford OX15 0TT Pilling, Lancashire (photo: Steve Grimshaw) tel 01869 338888