Anyone into microlights?

…I bought the Quantum G-MYMX from Paul, who had used it as his competition machine. With no strip of my own then, I lodged it Shipdham, pictured here. It was a very friendly place then. (It probably still is, since changing hands, but I haven’t had the opportunity to visit recently).

I learned to fly on this AX 3, G-MYKA, at Halton back in 1993: with a Rotax 503cc engine, its performance wasn’t exactly shattering, but it WAS flying!

It belonged to the RAFMFA RidgeRunners school and my tutor was Paul Dewhurst, who now owns/runs FlyLight at Sywell with Ben Ashman – a remarkable pair!

Yes: I have just received the Permit to Fly for my Skyranger built here since January. I’ve now got to convert.

It’s my second microlight, the first was a flexwing Pegasus Quantum G-MYMX.

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Why not try a trial flight. It is really hands on flying and although some top of the range aircraft are costly and fast the most fun is from an open air flexwing. This can be within the financial scope of more people than those who train on Cessnas and the like. A flexwing may look like an old hang glider but they really are highly developed sport aircraft.

Paramotors: More like the ultimate open everything I’d say. Seriously though I can understand your confusion, it sounds a bit of a nightmare.
With regards to microlight safety, the modern microlight is pound for pound more strongly built than most group A machines.

I used to own and fly a vintage microlight, an Eipper Quicksilver MX2. I sold it because it was so confusing to fly as the roll control was achieved through spoilerons connected to foot pedals and the rudder was connected to the lateral movement of the control column! There was an extra pedal which gave nosewheel steering… press with right toe to go right but press right heel to go left!!! The strip I kept it at was always crosswind so these crosswind take-offs and landings were a nightmare.
These days I get my kicks from paramotoring. Ultimate open cockpit!

I think you will find that the safety, speed and duration of modern microlights both flexwing and 3 axis have made dramatic improvements since the mid 80’s. So most Microlight flyers have upgraded to aircraft that can really go places. Many 3 axis aircraft are cheaper to run and just as much fun as a Taylorcraft or similar Vintage aircraft.
I prefer a flexwing, which some people say is not a “real” aircraft but unless you have tried it taking off in 50 ft and landing in under 200ft you have never lived! I even have more instruments than some vintage aircraft – not that I need to look at them much.

Totally agree Robert. There have been quite a few times when I’ve been humbled by the speed and rate of climb of both flexwing and 3 axis microlights.

I really like the look of Flylight’s new microlight self-launching sailpane too. Now there’s an aeroplane that ticks just about all the boxes!

Reminds me of that great line:

“If microlights are as safe as other aeroplanes, why are there no vintage microlight fly-ins?” :diablo:

They’re fascinating – barking – but fascinating!!

I think you will find that the safety, speed and duration of modern microlights both flexwing and 3 axis have made dramatic improvements since the mid 80’s. So most Microlight flyers have upgraded to aircraft that can really go places. Many 3 axis aircraft are cheaper to run and just as much fun as a Taylorcraft or similar Vintage aircraft.
I prefer a flexwing, which some people say is not a “real” aircraft but unless you have tried it taking off in 50 ft and landing in under 200ft you have never lived! I even have more instruments than some vintage aircraft – not that I need to look at them much.

Reminds me of that great line:

“If microlights are as safe as other aeroplanes, why are there no vintage microlight fly-ins?” :diablo:

Good on you though for getting a collection together.

They’re fascinating – barking – but fascinating!!

😉 Perhaps it could be Cockpitfest category?

I saw details of the 2008 event on the same news page!

http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/news.php

Spotted on the Newark website.

“Microlight collection expanded

An Eipper Aircraft Inc Quicksilver MX microlight has recently been donated to the museum and was delivered on December 15, 2007…”

More here …. http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/news.php .. if you scroll down the page!

Yes I am! Newarks, VJ microlight was flown by my friend David Cook. Microlights, I love’em – Real seat of your pants flying!

Anyone into microlights?

No