A trial flight or “air experience flight” is actually your first lesson in a microlight aircraft – to be precise, Flight Exercise 3 from the British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) Syllabus of Microlight Pilot Training. It’s your chance to experience the truly amazing sensation of flight in one of these tiny, yet incredibly robust, flying machines. Like the earliest pioneers of powered flight, you will experience for yourself the sensation of open-cockpit flight in a small aircraft. The school’s microlights fly at around 50-65 mph, no faster than a sedate cruise on a motorcycle, and we’ll be at around 1000-1500 feet, so you’ll have plenty of time to take in the unrivalled view you get from the back seat. You can book 20, 30, 40 or 60 minute flights. All the equipment you need for your trial flight – flying suit, gloves, helmet and intercom headset – will be provided.
There are NO age restrictions for trial flights and we’re happy to take youngsters from about 9-10 years of age. There is no upper age limit. People with physical disabilities can also fly, depending on the nature of the disability and providing they are able – with the help of a relative or carer where necessary – to be seated comfortably and securely in the aircraft. Check with us if you’re not sure.
When you arrive for your flight, you’ll become a member of the Microflights Flying Club as a Trial Flight Day Member (your membership fee is included in the price of the trial flight). Then we’ll plan the route of your flight, fix you up with a flying suit, helmet and intercom headset, and get you securely strapped into the aircraft.
After briefing you on the flight and carrying out full pre-flight safety checks, we’ll taxy out onto the runway at Finmere, first used sixty years ago by RAF bomber crews, and take off. Once airborne, we’ll climb to around 1000-1500 feet, which gives us a marvellous view of Buckingham and the surrounding countryside. If the flight you have booked is long enough, we’ll take a look at your home town or village (please note, however, that microlights are not permitted to fly over settlements – we’ll go round the edge instead!). Depending on the flight conditions and your wishes, you’ll get the chance to have a go at flying the aircraft from the back seat, using the student training bars fitted to the control frame. In this first lesson you’ll begin to learn how to turn the aircraft and maintain a heading towards a visual reference point.