Costs

How much does Microlighting cost?

Training

There is a single, unavoidable cost, and that is for training. Currently, dual instruction costs about 70 pounds an hour and you need a minimum of 15 hours dual instruction. Add to that a further minimum of 10 hours solo. However, the solo costs can be quite low if you've already bought your own machine, as you'll only be paying the instructor to 'keep an eye on you'.

The cost of getting a full license can be as low as 1800-2000 pounds, but I'd bank on spending closer to 3000 pounds.

Aircraft

Remember I'm talking about Flex-wings here. Three-axis machines are a different kettle of ball parks (more expensive, generally)

A safe, serviceable aircraft can be had for as little as 2500 pounds.

Alternatively, you can buy a new mid-range machine for about 12000 pounds.

Finally, a top-of-the-range 'hot-ship' will cost over 20000 pounds.

All you need to be able to fly is a licence and a plane - everything else listed below is, to varying degrees, optional.

Clothing

You don't need special clothing, but it gets bloody cold up there! I'd say a purpose made flying suit is the minimum requirement, and this will set you back about 150 quid. A decent set of gloves is also pretty much essential, but I use old ski gloves and they work just fine.

There is no legal requirement to wear a helmet, but you're pretty daft if you don't! If you intend to carry passengers, it's almost impossible to talk to them without an intercom. An integrated helmet and intercom system costs about 400-600 quid, depending on make and model, and including 2 helmets.

STOP PRESS: If your aircraft handbook states that a helmet must be worn, it becomes a legal requirement that you do so. - Thanks to Reg Whittall for this update.

Global Positioning System

You don't need one to fly a Microlight, and you'd certainly be ill-advised to rely on one without having a backup chart! However, my love of shiny-things has prompted me to buy a GPS III Pilot, which is a Global Positioning System receiver with a built-in base-map (no you can see towns and roads on it), and a Jeppeson database, which gives you information about airfields and controlled airspace.

If you want one of these, they are about 400 quid.

Radio

Again, you don't need one as at most airfields from which Microlights are flown, radios are not mandatory. However, I plan to do cross-channel stuff once I've built up the experience a bit, and I want the comfort factor a radio gives (i.e. Help! I'm crashing!).

An ICOM airband radio, which is an industry-standard bit of kit, costs just over 300 quid, and comes with an interface so you can plug your intercom system into it.

The radio requires a CAA licence, which is 15 quid, plus you require a licence to operate it, for which I've yet to determine the cost.

Instruments

A full instrument package, consisting of a Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI), an Altimeter, an Airspeed Indicator (ASI) a Rev Counter, a Water Temperature Guauge, Dual Exhaust Temperature meters and an Hour Meter (for tracking total engine hours, for the purpose of scheduling servicing) will cost about 700 quid.

I've opted for an Electronic Engine and Flight Information System (EFIS) known as an AlphaMFD, which presents all the instruments in one electronic display, and weighs the same as one traditional instrument. It's a little bit more expensive, but it is undeniably a shiny thing, and thus, mandatory for me!

Registration

As I mentioned earlier, the build process requires BMAA Inspections at given points, each of which will attract a small charge. Once the plane is built, it must be registered. Again, there is a yet-to-be-determined charge associated with this.

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Last Revised: 28 September, 2004