ULSTER MICROLIGHT CLUB - NEWTOWNARDS, CO. ANTRIM, N.IRELAND

The Ulster Microlight Club is situated 12 miles east of Belfast at Newtownards Airfield, Co. Down, N.Ireland and is run by Qualified Flying Instructors Ken Crompton (Fixed Wing) and Gerry Snodden (FLEXIWING).

Ken and Gerry are two of the most experienced instructors in the UK and Ireland and have been appointed by the CAA and Irish Aviation Authority as flight test examiners. So if you want either an Irish or a UK license you can do all the training and your final flight test at Newtownards . The airfield at Newtownards is exceptionally well suited to flight training as it has six all weather runways and a grass runway which allows training to take place in most wind and weather situations.

You'll find that we're a friendly bunch, all helping each other to enjoy not only the delights of flying but the social scene too. And you don't have to be a flyer to join either. We've got lots of members who don't fly at all but just love to be part of our scene. They are all great sports and give a lot of invaluable ground support when we need it. We can take you right fom the very start, your first flight, right to your Captain Status as we are authorised examiners both writtern and practical - so with us, it all happens under the one roof!

You are more than welcome to come visit us and we will have a chat with you, show you around and before you make the decision to take lessons, we can take you on a trial flight!

FOR A REALLY DIFFERENT PRESENT, GIFT VOUCHERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR AIR EXPERIENCE FLIGHTS OVER THE SPECTACULAR ARDS PENINSULA FROM£80 UPWARDS.

THE MICROLIGHT FLYING EXPERIENCE Many of us dream of flying; of skimming the clouds, of effortlessly sailing past queues of traffic stuck on the ground, of new perspectives on familiar landmarks. Microlighting is all about realising the dream with the minimum of fuss and expense. How did it all start? In the I970s, many hang glider pilots loved the freedom their sport gave them but were often frustrated by the weather; they sought the freedom to go where they wanted rather than where the wind dictated. Performance of the early powered hang gliders was marginal until the idea of hanging both pilot and engine from a lightweight frame under the wing came along. There was an explosion of creativity (there were no legal controls), but the risks became unacceptably high and pilot licensing and design and construction standards were introduced. Since then micro light types have been greatly refined. Today they are fast and reliable, but still exciting. Cruising speeds of 70 - 100mph or more, up to 500 miles or more in range and 10,000ft+ climb ability are a reflection of the wide range of performance available from modern microlights. The excitement and adventure of the pioneering days has been retained, but ordinary people can participate at minimum risk - our safety record will stand comparison with any other adventure activity. Don't I need to be especially fit to fly? The requirements are less demanding than for other classes of powered aircraft. All you need is a signature from your GP to verify that you do not suffer from anything obviously disabling. The minimum age to start learning is 14, you can go solo at 16 and hold a full license at 17. As for the upper age limit, there isn't one, in fact there are a number of pilots who have learnt to fly microlights in their seventies! What is the difference between a microlight and a light aircraft? A microlight is lighter and usually slower flying than a normal light aircraft and can land almost anywhere often in a friendly farmer's field. Instead of needing highly qualified engineers for repairs and maintenance you can carry out most of the work yourself, supervised by BMAA-approved inspectors. Most microlights can be kept in the garage at home. Many would be airline pilots start their flying careers in 3 axis microlights as it is by far the least expensive way of gaining all the necessary skills ,and simply upgrading the license subsequently to include heavier aircraft is very easy . ( it costs about half as much to get a microlight license and upgrade it to a light aircraft license than it does to go directly for a light aircraft license). Are there different sorts of microlights? Yes. The ones that look like hang gliders are called flexwings, trikes or weightshift machines and the pilot moves the cross bar in front of him or her to effect control. Microlights that look like 'proper' aircraft (three axis types) are controlled with a joystick and rudder pedals just like their larger cousins. The majority of UK microlights are of the weightshift sort. They offer a good all round view, and can also be quickly dismantled- the whole thing fits onto a trailer. Three-axis flying requires far less muscle power than flex-wings in rough air, can fly in conditions when flex-wings are grounded, and the pilot is warmer and less exposed (many are designed to fold up for trailer transportation). What is best for you will depend on many factors; the best advice is to take a trial flight in both and ask the advice of your instructor and other pilots. How expensive is it? A good secondhand two seater suitable for your early flying career can cost around �5000 or more, with new machines and more sophisticated machines costing four or five times as much. To be trained to National Private Pilots License (N PPL ) standard can cost between �1000 and �2000, the lower figure being achieved by using your own machine for part of your training. You should also consider hangarage costs if you don't trailer your machine home. Many pilots choose to build their own aircraft. It's a way of saving money, but not normally seen as an entry level activity. Often pilots buy a share in an aircraft which reduces costs dramatically . How much extra gear do I need? You will see a lot accessories in magazines, but few are essential. A good safety helmet with ear protection and a well insulated flying suit are essential for flying flex-wings but not necessary for 3 axis machines. An intercom makes it easy to talk to your passenger and a radio will give you a greater degree of safety (and may be required at larger airfields). How do I get a licence You will need to complete a flying course of a minimum of 25 hours with an instructor. Of those 25 hours at least 10 hours will be solo when your instructor will be monitoring your progress from the ground. Initially lessons will concentrate on becoming familiar with the new environment and controls of the aircraft. Later lessons cover climbing, descending, turning and straight and level flight. Once you have become familiar with the controls you will move on to take offs, landings, dealing with emergencies and navigation in the air. You will also need to pass ground examinations in air law, meteorology, human performance, aircraft technical, and navigation. (Don't worry these are multi choice exams and are less forbidding than they sound). Finally you take a General Flying Test (GFT) lasting about one hour with a Microlight Examiner. When can I fly solo? This is naturally the first question a prospective pilot asks because not only is it the fulfilment of an aim but the cost plays a large part in the sense that the more hours needed to satisfy the Examiner then the more will a pupil have to pay out. Your mind should be very clear on this issue as although the law lays down minimums for achieving these aims, they are simply minimums and the actual time taken will vary very much according to each individual. For example, microlight flying being less expensive than conventional flying, has brought back many people who flew years ago, perhaps during the war. Although any previous licence may now be invalid, the basic skills will still be there (like riding a bike). Another group of persons who very quickly progress is the skilled radio control modeller who has developed the sensitivity and know-how commensurate with flying an aeroplane. These two groups are more likely to reach solo and licence stage before the newcomer so do not necessarily make a judgement of your own ability or a budget of your costings on the laid down minima, it could lead to disappointment. The important point is to understand that you will go solo or achieve your licence when you are safe and competent to do so. Your life and the lives of your future passengers depend on this philosophy and cannot be measured in hours flown. Want to know more? If the above information has whetted your appetite talk to other pilots or a B.M.A.A. instructor. Everyone is keen to share the joys of microlighting-whether pottering around the local airfield of an evening or setting off on a continental trip. It's not difficult to do, it's not outrageously expensive, and it's tremendous fun! TAKE A LOOK AT THE INTRODUCTION PAGE & SEE WHICH TYPE OF MICROLIGHT YOU WISH TO PURCHASE A GIFT VOUCHER FOR. CONTACT US FOR THE BEST PRESENT YOU'VE EVER BOUGHT!