A Magnificent Microlight Flight

My recent trip to Gauteng offered me the wonderful opportunity to meet with a few great people who have become wonderful friends. Marius Nel is a microlight pilot and has offered introductory microlight flights to my clients over the past few years. He treated my VIP and highly prized reseller James Mew, Owner of Mantality.co.za and I to an introductory microlight flight taking in the best of the Cullinan area.

On arrival we signed the necessary paperwork and then put on our figure enhancing (just kidding) flight suits in preparation for flight. The microlight aircraft is a unique aircraft and funky to look at. The microlight is quite different to the gyrocopter and feels allot more exposed. The passenger has to sit in the microlight as though one is sitting on a horse, or so it felt. We were lucky to enjoy a formation flight as there were a total of three microlights due to fly at the same time. It was wonderful to see that some people own microlights in their private capacity and use them on weekends for good wholesome stress release and family fun.

Each microlight took off in sequence and then somehow once airborne waited for each microlight to perfectly position themselves in formation, similar to a flock of birds, symmetrical and flying in unison. It was spectacular to see the other microlights and watch as each client with pilot enjoyed the introductory microlight flight experience. This particular experience was indeed very different to the High Performance Gyrocopter experience; for one thing I was toasty warm in my flight suit and could therefore enjoy the flight for a longer time without the sense of hypothermia. I was mesmerised by how the microlight actually works. Marius gave me the chance to fly the aircraft for a few moments and I was astounded by how physically strong it felt as though I needed to be. There really is very little if anything protecting the passenger, giving the microlight flight a very open, airy and exposed overall sensation. The views where magnificent, one could see many landmarks to include dams, mountains and outskirt city skylines. This particular flight is best enjoyed during the spring when low level flying allows for magnificent views of spring flowers.

The microlight flight is a wonderful adventure gift voucher to give to almost anyone from across all age groups and taste preferences. If you know of someone with a sense of adventure then this is most certainly a perfect surprise gift or simply treat yourself as part of your bucket-list accomplishments.

This is how Wikipedia best describes the microlight aircraft –

Ultra light aviation is the flying of lightweight, 1- or 2-person fixed-wing aircraft, also called microlight aircraft in the UK, India and New Zealand. Some countries differentiate between weight shift and 3-axis aircraft, calling the former “microlight” and the latter “ultralight”.

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, mostly stimulated by the hang gliding movement, many people sought affordable powered flight. As a result, many aviation authorities set up definitions of lightweight, slow-flying aeroplanes that could be subject to minimum regulations. The resulting aeroplanes are commonly called “ultralight aircraft” or “microlights”, although the weight and speed limits differ from country to country. In Europe the sporting (FAI) definition limits the maximum takeoff weight to 450 kg (992 lb) and a maximum stall speed of 65 km/h (40 mph). Such a definition forces the aircraft to be capable of a slow landing speed and short landing roll in the event of an engine failure.

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Written and experienced in person by Odette Butcher, Chief Experience Officer, Celestial Gift Experiences.