Flying lessons in Waterford.

dlofnep

I'm interested in obtaining a PPL, but my sole use would be so I could inevitably purchase my own microlight. I want to start taking lessons. I've heard good words about the waterford aero club.

If I take lessons in a standard plane, what would the requirements be then to fly my own microlight (im not sure if waterford offers microlight training (ideally in a 3axis)). Could I fly with a standard PPL? I also read you can get a PPL specifically geared towards microlights - Is this correct or only available in the UK?

I believe there are microlight lessons offered in Kilkenny. Which is my best route IF I just want a license to fly microlights, nothing else.

John.

macshadow

You could fly a microlight on a PPL but flying hours on a microlight won't keep your PPL licence current.
www.irishaerosports.com is kilkenny but the site seems a bit of a mess.
www.nmai.ie
www.bmaa.org
www.afors.co.uk gives u an idea of cost of secondhand aircraft
www.flyni.co.uk If you do your training in the UK or NI it only takes 25 hours instead of 40 in the south. The licence for microlight is called ppl(m) you'd be restricted to microlights then but some can out perform some GA aircraft.
You can get a microlight that falls outside the 450kg rule so you could also keep a ppl current and have the same running costs as a sub 450kg microlight.

dlofnep

How many hours a year is required to keep a PPL current? I don't think I'd go the NI route, even if it is only 25 hours. Too far, and I've two airports within an hour drive from me (waterford and kilkenny).

Also, I'd imagine any microlight that weight (+450) would probably be expensive, would it not? Looking for something below about 15k. It wouldn't be for 3 years or so anyways. I'm in no rush to get the PPL - but eager to at least begin the road to it.

macshadow

I think about 5 hours a year to keep a ppl current but i'm not 100% on that.
A microlight that is over the 450kg doesn't mean more expensive.
If you train in the south it'll take 40 hours for ppl(m) and 45 for ppl so it's hard to know what to do, i'd say the ppl is a bit more comprehensive.
Here's an example of a microlight that can be sub 450kg or fall outside 450kg which would allow you to carry a heavier load(more fuel and heavier passenger) and the only difference between the two is a different fuel pump.
www.cosmikaviation.co.uk.

I've just noticed kilkenny teach both ppl and ppl(m) and their prices are pretty good, best bet is to give them a call and they'll fill you in. Microlights can get very complicated with seat weight limits,fuel limits,maximum empty weight ect.
Good luck whichever you choose.

dlofnep

I've seen a few of them - very nice looking microlights for sure. Bit pricey new, so second hand would probably be the only option.

Is there any training clubs you're recommend yourself.. Have you been to Waterford or Kilkenny?

macshadow

I've only 4 hours done in the uk and plan on finishing the remainder at a school abroad. There are some schools in spain that train to the british syllabus, so would be an ideal holiday, two birds with the one stone:D
I have read on another forum that kilkenny are good, professional and very friendly.

dlofnep

thanks buddy

Jakey

Im training in the eurostar in Birr for a PPLM, If your just flying for the hell of it with no intention of going commercial, Flying a 4 seater ect... its definitely the way to go. It is very achievable to purchase your own microlight and run it very cheaply.

There's normally a few for sale on www.afors.co.uk and http://www.bmaa.org/classifieds.asp?s_AdvertType=1&s_AdvertCategory=2&s_Item=&t_DAT_Advert_t_DAT_AdvertPageSize=

dlofnep

Thanks Jakey! How many hours have you left?

Sky King

Hi everyone.

I am a member of Irish Aero Sports Flying Club in Kilkenny. We just got the site updated and I was googling diffrent search string combos to see what results were thrown up when I spotted this page.

There are two flying clubs in Kilkenny. I.A.S which I am a member of, and Kilkenny flying club. The microlight licence is only available with IAS.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

PPL(M) Advantages:
Mainly cost, it's FAR cheaper per hour to learn microlights
Nice relaxed learning enviornment at a (generally) sleepy little airfield
There tends to be a more laid back, easy going social scene... Of course people will dispute this remark, it's just an observation I made!

Disadvantages
You can only fly during the day and you can't progress your licence any further
You are limited by weight. Two average males and enough fuel for a good jaunt about in the club aircraft will put you right on the MTOW of the machine. Technically, it would still fly while severly overloaded but this is bad practice and the club won't let you do it (for obvious reasons)

PPL(A) advantages
You can carry heavier payloads (4 seaters etc)
You can continue on to being a professional pilot and your PPL hours will count
You can go on and do night ratings and twin ratings and stuff like that (though not many hobbyiests do this).

So yeah WEIGHT is the big issue... if you are a hefty fellah, you'd nearly have to go A. The MTOW of a two seater microlight in this country is 450kg. Anything heavier is not technically a microlight. I see a reference above to the Evektor Aerotechnic Team Eurostar above. This comes in a group A and group M model, the group M being below 450KG MTOW.

To keep your licence current, you need to fly 12 hours in two years, but thay can all be in the second year. If it goes out of date, you must re-sit the flight test.

I am a microlight pilot and love it to bits, but it's not for everyone. YOu seem like the type of fellah who's just interested in aviation for a bit of a hobby and a challenge, so it might be for you!

You can do it in 4 places in ROI: Birr, Galway, and Westmeath (in abbeyshrule) and kilkenny.

Microlight training centres:
check out www.irishaerosports.com (still under construction!) for kilkenny www.ultraflight.ie for westmeath http://www.ormandflyingclub.com/ for birr and search the forums at www.flyinginireland.com for a wealth of info on microlights and flying in general, as well as heated debates on which is 'better'!. All you Qs have been asked before! Also check out www.irishmicrolights.ie and www.irishflyin.com

The lads in IAS (and indeed in ultraflight) are always happy to chat to potential club members if you're in the area just call in. I have no experiance of the other clubs though.

You'd pick up a nice 2 seater for about 10 grand and run it for the year for about another grand or so, but it's hassle. Most people just rent.

You talk about the waterford aero club... Well I know a couple of members and I must say they're (from what I can see) a friendly, easy going bunch of people. You can check them out here http://www.waterfordaeroclub.com/ I have no idea what it's like to train there though.

If you do a PPL(A) you need 45 hours MINIMUM to get your licence (at about 160 quid an hour). You then need another 5 hours in a microlight to convert over to PPL(M). In Kilkenny, they charge 120 an hour. all their costs are on their page as well. there's no 'hidden' charges, it's all there.

To be honest dlofnep, the best thing yu should do is pick up the phone (or better yet get in your car) and call to a few of these places and chat to some people and see whats on offer and what will suit you. It's different for everyone.

Hope this leaves you somewhat enlightened.

dlofnep

Thanks for the very detailed and informative post! I'm going to pop up to kilkenny myself ina few days for a chat and check it out.

For the record, I'm a small chap - only 9 stone - so I don't think I'd have a problem with microlights. I'm not really bothered by the whole night flying or 4 seaters.. I'm just interested in aviation as a hobbiest - nothing more

Thanks again for a very detail post, I appreciate you taking the time out to answer.

Sky King

No Probs, always glad to see people having an interest in the club.

Give Vincent a call to make sure he'll be there. His number is on the website. He is dead sound and will chat away to you about it.

happy flying!

dlofnep

kilkenny flyer wrote: »

No Probs, always glad to see people having an interest in the club.

Give Vincent a call to make sure he'll be there. His number is on the website. He is dead sound and will chat away to you about it.

happy flying!

Cheers man! Will give him a shout during the week.

Thanks again,
John.

Jakey

dlofnep wrote: »

Thanks Jakey! How many hours have you left?

I have about 28 hours to get to the offical 40, but generally people arent ready for the test at 40 hours anyway. I've been lucky bar December i've gotten off the ground almost every weekend.

Kilkenny Flyer gives a great breakdown off the differences between Group A and Microlight, Im like you 9 stone so I dont have too many problems with being overweight. The 450kg rule is slightly dated for the new 'plastic fantastic' aircraft, most of which can be flown safely a lot heavier with no modifications hopefully we will end up with a US Stlye 'light sports' category with under 1000kg or something similar.

The heavier group A aircraft are generally more stable and less twitchy particularly in windy weather, this may be a consideration for you?

Definitely get into the car and take some trial flights,

Best of luck with it.

dlofnep

Thanks man, best of luck with your ppl.

damo

Have a look on www.flyinginireland.com, also check out www.pprune.org, pprune is more about commercial flying but im sure you could find info on microlights there aswell.

nain

Hi, thanks for the info. how much would the PPL (m) cost ?