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?
· Microlight’s 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
· Some now look like a small fixed wing aircraft and have controls you’d see in a light aircraft not on a hang glider
Why would you do this activity?
· This is seriously fun and out of the ordinary. From the farmland airfield with its collection of hangars ranging from large outbuildings to sea containers, and the outside viewing area, you feel like your part of a big secret (and you are!)
· The briefing and kit up is suitably serious – a proper heavy duty flying suit, full helmet with intercom and headphones and a good tour of the microlight and full explanation of the experience from take off to landing and safety instructions
· The take off is noisy and exciting. The runway is short, the throttle punchy and the trajectory steep
· The flying is wondrous. You know you shouldn’t be surprised that you can see for miles, but you will be! You will see all the local towns spread out below you, and yet you will also see details as you peer below you. The abandoned golf course at Potters Bar, the airfield at Elstree, the fields of grazing livestock (and you will be struck by how many fields and green spaces surround us - more than you'd think). We also saw a film set on the Munden Estate, and yes, we did fly over my house.
Just a one off?
· A trial flight in a microlight works superbly as a fun, one off experience
· It's also great 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. The club members flew their microlights out to Hungary this Summer, and regularly fly on adventures both 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
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