SPECIAL FLIGHTS
In addition to our 'create your own flight' system we have created a number of 'special' flights. These are more adventurous itineraries, most with an 'away' landing, that fall well outside the scope of a normal trial flight. These flights are based on our extensive experiece of flying in this part of England. They are a bit more expensive but the rewards are worth it.
LUNCH ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT (For Couples)
This one has been designed with couples in mind (though if you want to go alone that's also available). We normally take 2 aircraft - but we can go up to four if you have a group requirement - and aim to leave Membury at about 11am.
Early in the flight you will be given the opportunity to take the controls and fly the aircraft as we head south toward Southampton. We will be flying through controlled airspace as we pass over Southampton and the instructor will take control for this part of the flight - subject to clearance we will fly over Southampton airport and out over the solent. There are multiple photo opportunities here so make sure you bring a camera.
We will arrive at the island over Ryde and fly direct to Sandown where you will experience the process of landing at a busy airfield. At this point we will break for lunch - you may lunch as a couple and the instructors will rejoin you when its time to leave - this is a one hour break.
We will then takeoff from Sandown and head west along the island so that we may take in the Needles and the lighthouse before turning north toward the new forest. Our return leg takes in the Test valley, Chilbolton radio telescope and the remarkble 'foot maze' at Tangley before arriving at Membury. Flying time is about 2 1/2 hours and the whole experience takes about 4 hours - you will also receive a commemorative certificate as a memoir of this great flight.
VULCAN (XM655) VISIT
A flight to Wellesbourne Airport (near Statford on Avon) and a visit to the last remaining serviceable Vulcan bomber - XM655. You will be taken into the cockpit of the bomber with a local guide and given the history of this amazing aircraft - XM655 was active in the Falklands war and the gides have an extenive knowledge of its history - its a fascinating visit.
During the flight you will be given the opportunity to take control and fly the aircraft, your instructor will take over for more complex parts like landing etc.
Mementos of the visit are available at Wellesbourne and you will be given a commemorative certificate on our return to Membury.
FLY TO WALES
An opportunity to fly to another country. After taking off from Membury we will fly west across the now disused RAF Lyneham, overhead Badminton (home of the horse trials) and between the two Severn bridges before tuning north for a flight up the picturesque Wye valley.
Turning west again at the end of the valley we will fly into Abergavenny (at the base of the Black mountain) and land. Our return leg will track south along the mountains to Pontypool and then head east back across the border into England and return to Membury.
Durng the flight you will be given the opportunity to take the controls and fly the aircraft and, if you find you enjoy that, you can fly for the majority of the trip. On return to Membury we will present you with a certificate as a memnto of the flight and, by then, you should also have a camera full of photos.
OVERSEAS ADVENTURE - FRANCE
For those who want to see what a microlight is really capable of (the media still think we're all powered by lawn mower engines and only fly around our local area). The C42 is an ideal aircraft to show that we can operate, quite easily, all over Europe.
There are a number of requirements for going 'abroad' in an aircraft and we are no exception. Firstly, as the passenger, you'll need your passport with you then we have to file a flight plan (this will already be done before you arrive for this flight) and we have some extra documents we have to carry - your instructor will have a pack containing these. Additionally, since we will be crossing the channel, we will need life jackets which we will put on before we leave Membury.
The flight will take us south of London and, probably, north of Gatwick so you will see what it is like to operate in busier, more regulated airspace. We will fly across Kent and leave the UK between Dover and Folkestone - this is the closest point to France. We will then fly direct to Cap Gris Nez where we turn south-west to fly along the French cost into Le Touquet - this is in controlled airspace so you will experience the procedures required to allow us to operate in this environment.
We will break for lunch here to allow both of us a rest period before the return flight.
The return flight is similar but we may aim for Dungeoness and come back via the south of Gatwick just to vary the scenery. On return to Membury you will be given a certificate to commemorate the flight and you will have the memoy of really travelling abroad in this remarkable aircraft.
MICROLIGHTS EXPLAINED
At Cloudbase Microlighting we fly two types of aircraft, both of which fall under the microlight category. A good comparison to make between the two common types is that Flex Wings can be compared to Fixed Wing (three-axis) microlights in the same way as motorbikes are compared to cars.
The only difference is these machines fly!
FIXED WING
IKARUS C42
For Three-Axis training we use an Ikarus C42. This is a conventional aircraft and is controlled using a centre mounted joystick and rudder pedals. The seating is side by side within an enclosed cockpit ensuring no frost bite in the winter!
Powered by a four stroke Rotax engine the aircraft cruises at around 80mph and has a maximum fuel capacity of 65ltrs burning around 12 ltrs per hour giving a very respectable range.
FLEX WING
Quik GT450
Our flex wing aircraft is a Quik GT450. This aircraft stems from the early microlight designs where an engine was attached to a hang glider. Nowadays they have fantastic performance similar to that of the fixed wing microlight aircraft.
The seating arrangement is front to back and the cockpit is open. Flying suits are worn for extra warmth as well as helmets and headsets. These aircraft are controlled in the same way as a hang glider using weight shift.
OUR INSTRUCTORS
With thousands of hours flying to their names, you'll be in safe hands with our experienced instructors.
Dave Cox (Coxy) teaches on fixed and flex wing aircraft at our base at Membury. Coxy is ex RAF and loves all forms of flying. He is a proficient aerobatics pilot, hang glider pilot, paragliding instructor and flexwing and fixed wing microlight instructor/examiner. Dave is our Chief Flying Instructor at Membury.
Dave Cox
Instructor
Inspired - how do I become a Microlight pilot?
Give us a call on 01488 208400 to find out more about learning to fly with Cloudbase Mightlighting
