Microlight Flying Experiences Nationwide

The fuselage of a flex wing microlight looks like a trike (and to look at it, you'd think it'd never get off the ground!) with a hang glider-style horizontal bar and the huge wingspan of the foldable wing above your head. A fixed-wing microlight has a fully enclosed cockpit and the pilot uses the rudder, ailerons and elevator to control pitch, yaw and roll using a control stick.

They look just like your typical light aircraft (the sort of ones you go in on a trial flying lesson), with the difference being they are much lighter.

To be a microlight, the aircraft (if it's a two seater) has to be no more than 450kg.

The engine is behind the pilot on your typical flex wing microlight like the Quik from P&M aviation. That means you get incredible all-round vision in an open-cockpit microlight, as there's no engine or propellor blade to get in the way. On a fixed wing, the engine is in front of you, with the propellor on the nose of the plane.

If you go on a flex-wing microlight experience you will be up front, sitting in front of your instructor in a tandem configuration. In the fixed-wing closed cockpit microlights, the seating is side-by-side, so you'll be sitting next to your instructor.

Yes! All microlight flights are offered as trial lessons. You can be as hands-on as you like, or if you prefer, sit back and enjoy the views. It's your flight time, so it's up to you, but most people do like to have at least a little go at the controls!

Each operator has its own rules, but in general, you need to be at least 14 years old, maximum height of 6ft and maximum weight is 15 stone. Please see each individual page under the 'Suitable for' tab for full details, or get in touch with us by email, chat or 01959 578100.

You'll be kitted out with a headset and microphone so you can communicate. This is especially useful in the open cockpit microlights, as you can't hear each other over the wind noise!

There's no doubting it's a unique sensation being high up in the air in an open cockpit. You will certainly feel 'at one' with the elements that's for sure. In a fixed wing microlight, you'll be tucked up nice and snug inside the closed cockpit.

If you're in a fixed wing microlight, wear comfortable casual clothing. High heels are not recommended, nor are open-toed shoes. For flex wing experiences, you'll also be given a flight suit to wear.

Flying in a microlight is no more or less dangerous than other forms of general aviation. All the aircraft used for these experiences are meticulously maintained and you'll only be taken up by the most experienced of pilot instructors.

Back in the day, open cockpit microlights had a range of around 250 miles at best. Modern microlights can fly as far as 1000miles, as they are built with more high-tech material and have become more efficient.

To be a microlight, the aircraft has to have a slow cruising speed of 35knots or less. Having said that, maximum speeds are constantly on the increase, with some of the newest fixed wing models like the Ikarus capable of 150mph. On average, a flex wing can fly between 50 and 80mph.

In essence, yes, but don't worry, the flight operator will reschedule your microlight experience for another suitable date. Microlights need wind speeds of less than 15knots to take off, with no cloud cover or rain.

If you want to fly a microlight solo yes, you have to have a pilot's licence. For microlighters it's called the National Private Pilot's Licence Microlight rating - or the NPPL(M). For these experiences there is no need for a licence (or for you to be enrolled on a training programme with the school) as your experience is a taster lesson. If you carry on with microlighting lessons, these tasters may count to your flying time log book.

Yes. Nearly all are part of the British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA). The association promotes microlighting in the UK and is the voice of the sport in this country. All pilot instructors operating these trial lessons are highly experienced pilots with lots of hours of microlight teaching under their belts.

As you don't need a huge tarmac runway to take off in a microlight (a small grass air strip will do!) we have lots of small, independent microlight operators around the country who are more than ready to give you your first taste of microlighting, be it in a fixed or flex wing aircraft. Current locations include:

• Bedfordshire
• Kent
• Lancashire
• Somerset
• Hertfordshire
• Derbyshire
• Grimsby
• Northumbria
• North London
• Cambridgeshire
• Scotland - Perth
• Scotland - Kinross
• Scotland - Lanarkshire
• Northamptonshire
• County Durham
• Cornwall
• Oxfordshire
• Manchester
• Lincolnshire
• Wiltshire
• Essex
• Staffordshire