INTRODUCTION
There are two main types of microlight that we cater for here at Newtownards namely the FIXED WING (also known as 3-Axis) and the FLEXWING (also known as weighshift). Reliable and economical purpose built four-stroke and two-stroke engines now make water crossings almost a routine occurrence. You don't need a large airfield, a farmer's field will do, and many microlights can be packed up, placed on a trailer and taken home to your garage. With relatively slow flying speeds and low inertia the microlight is one of the safest forms of recreational flying in the UK

The FIXED WING or 3-Axis microlight has controls in common with conventional aircraft in as much as they will usually have a control stick and rudder pedals to operate ailerons, elevator and rudder.

The wing is fixed to the aircraft and has ailerons to control the roll and an elevator to control the pitch, the 3rd control being the rudder that controls the yaw, hence the term 3-Axis. These control surfaces are controlled by a stick and two rudder pedals requiring co-ordination of the hands and feet.

The Fixed Wing market is divided into home built and kit planes, regulated and tested by the Popular Flying Association (P.F.A.) and factory built aircraft which are regulated and tested by the British Microlight Aircraft Association, they are built to a very high standard.

The FLEXWING or Weightshift is controlled by weightshift much akin to hang gliding. They can be recognised by their hang glider style looks with the TRIKE unit hanging underneath.

The engine is attached to the trike and the pilot and passenger sit in the trike. These aircraft have been called the motorcycle of the air and are great fun to fly.

The flexwing has a more ?open to the elements? feel that a fixedwing and is much simpler in construction. This allows it to be easily dismantled by one person to fit on a small trailer in around half an hour.

Although it is possible to build a flexwing yourself it is very rarely done, as there are few kits currently available on the UK market, so almost all flexwings are factory built and regulated by the B.M.A.A.

Which is better - Weightshift or Fixed Wing?

Many people ask, "Which is better, Weightshift or Fixed Wing Microlights?" Take a spin in a weightshift on a summers' evening in the still warm air and no doubt you WILL be hooked. However, had you taken that flight in the heat of the afternoon sun you might have serious hesitations about doing it again. Now, take a fixed wing microlight in the same conditions, the evening flight will be just as nice and the afternoon flight, well it will probably be alot easier on the stomach! However, it will be a completely different experience.

Both types have their advantages and disadvantages and its unfair to be bias to either. Fixed wing microlights tend to handle better in bad weather. But the microlight industry is quickly developing and some flexwings are now out performing some fixed wings.

If you are unsure what type is for you, have a 30-minute lesson in both and see what you enjoy most. Whatever type you learn to fly, the pilot’s license is valid on both Weightshift and 3-Axis with a short conversion course only needed to switch between types.

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