Why Don’t You… Fly A Microlight?

Oh come on, who doesn’t think it would be cool to learn to fly. So here’s your chance to take a trial flight on a light aircraft, in St Albans.  Find out what it would be like to take flying lessons and who knows… pilots licence maybe?

What is it?

• A 30 or 60 minute trial flight in a fixed wing or flexwing microlight

• You take off from a small airfield (Plaistows Airfield) on farmland in St Albans

• You are a passenger, but an active passenger.  You will get the opportunity to steer the microlight using the dual controls

What the hell is a microlight?

• Microlights are small aircraft which started life as a powered hang glider

• Some still follow that design with a trike powered by a motorbike engine hanging underneath a hang glider wing (like the GT450 that I flew, or the Deltajet 500 Stingray – a much more exciting name!)

• Some now look like a small fixed wing aircraft and have controls you’d associate with a plane as opposed to a hang glider (Eurostars or Nynjas in case you’re interested...)

What to expect on your trial flight?

• This is a seriously fun and out of the ordinary activity.  From the farmland airfield located off a narrow country lane, with its unorthodox collection of hangars - ranging from large outbuildings to sea containers – to the picnic table style viewing area, you feel like you’re part of a big secret (and you are!)

• The kit-up is suitably serious – a proper heavy duty flying suit, full helmet with intercom and headphones (you can’t help but look good!)

• As is the safety briefing – your instructor takes you on a good look around the microlight, explaining all the equipment along with a full briefing of the experience from take off to landing (when it’s noisy, when its bumpy, what to do and what not to do) and safety instructions

• The take off is noisy and exciting. The runway is short, the throttle punchy and the trajectory steep.  And before you know it you are in the air.  Actual flying!

• The flying is simply amazing. Even though I know I shouldn’t be surprised that I can see for miles, I still was!  You will see all the local towns spread out below you, but you also get to look at the details. Gardens – obviously.  The abandoned golf course in Chenies – who knew?  The film set at Champneys Spa – unexpected. The airfield at Elstree – much bigger than where we took off from. And I was pleasantly surprised at how many fields and green spaces we are surrounded by. And yes, we did fly over my house, and I did wave, and it was exciting.

Just a one off?

• This works superbly as a fun, one off experience

• It can also be a try out if you’re thinking of getting a pilot’s licence. Exodus Airsports have been training pilots for over 20 years, and I must admit to being sorely tempted.  Members of their club headed out to Hungary this Summer for a club outing and they generally make the most of the opportunity to fly on adventures within the UK and into Europe

Anything you need to be aware of?

• Exodus Airsports fly throughout the year, but they can only fly in suitable weather conditions, so do be prepared to re-arrange your trial flight if the British Weather sends in a gale or rain storm.  My flight got rearranged once, but it was well worth the wait.

• When you book with Hobby Republik, we’ll get your details and times that are convenient to fly and we’ll set up a time as well as a couple of back up times just in case.

Final thoughts

• If you’re looking for something different – do it!

• If you’re feeling a bit unsure about flying a microlight Exodus Airsports are a great team to talk to.  Very friendly, oodles of experience and the founder is a World, European and National Champion in the sport. In short, experienced ambassadors!

Fancy giving it a go?

• A 30 minute trial flight costs £93.50 but allow a total of 90 minutes for the meet and greet, suit up, safety briefing, flight and debrief

• A 60 minute trial flight costs £166.95 but allow a total of 2 hours for the meet and greet, suit up, safety briefing, flight and debrief

• Training to get a pilot's licence typically costs around £4,500 (including exam fees, ground training and membership fees) and is likely to take 18 months - 2 years

• Minimum age for a trial flight is 10, and the minimum age to start training is 14. There is also a weight maximum of 110kg.

• Flights are organised and run by Exodus Airsports and you can book them here

• Flights take place throughout the year but are weather dependent so do be prepared to reschedule if the elements take a turn for the worse

• Plaistow Airfield is in St Albans just outside Chiswell Green

Alternatives

• There aren't any direct alternatives, but if you like an adrenaline adventure that feels out of the ordinary, you could try paintballing, and if you like the feeling of flying you could try hanging upside down on a trapeze

Fly a microlight like this at Plaistows airfield in St Albans

The view of Hertfordshire from a microlight

Looking for a new activity - try a flying lesson