Microlighters

It's with great dismay when I pull my aircraft out it's temporary home, take it on an awesome flight and have to return her to her kennel - only to see most the trikes in my hangar are so discoloured and covered in dust that you feel their rock bottom egos, and self esteems. It's an emotional time.

Over the last 6 months out of 20 aircraft, I've only ever seen 7 fly and last 3 months 4. Out of the larger hangars, mine tends to be somewhat busier...

Many are so covered they look like stone statues. Like the remnants of a civilisation now gone. What could the reasons be? I'm sure there are many people out there doing their licenses or newly acquired mpl's looking for bargains. These aircraft are surely not going to fly within the next 6 months and it's very sad to see this museum forming .

I spoke with one guy who hadn't flown in over 6 months, windsock was around 5mph and he was scared to take off - no wonder.

To all the frustrated aircraft out there, eager to return to the skies I wish you bluer skies in your afterlife and may the passing be quick.

Look like the weather is making someone a little sombre.
Nice pun on "may the passing be quick"

But what you say is true. Most aeries just seem to sit there and rot.

Hi Dieselfan,

I have exactly the same concern over where I'm based. Of all the aircraft based over there, only mine and one other one sees any action at all.

I'm amazed that someone would be willing to pay a hangerage fee of R350 - R500pm and not fly at all for such a long period. Why not rather fold it up and take it home or rather sell it?

Yet, if you look at the number of new & highly sophisticated microlights being produced today, then microlighting is more alive now than in the old grassroot days! Must be, else how can such a vast product range be financially supported?

Amazing!

Henni

Saw the same thing at Bapsfontein the other day. What a sad sight.

THink it all comes down to Cost and the lack of HANGAR TALK (read FUN) especially in GP. This is especially prevalent in the Blik arena.... I land at plenty of the smaller towns which all had thriving flying communitites in the past. Most of the hangars have been RDP'd and where they still remain they are deserted and the "planes" inside all gathering DUST.....

Avcom has gone some way to reducing this in the blik arena as has Microlighters in ML scene, but some years ago I knew a guy at Grand Central who would come down every Sat and wash his T210. He never flew it (3-5 hrs a year), but would not sell it as he was a Pilot with his own plane It was so Sad.... I assume there may be similar stories in ML circles.... Can't wait to finish my hangar, get all the toys in 1 spot and get in the air......

PS
Flying is also competing with PS3, Quads, extreme sports ec and IMHO is not as appealing as it was before.... (just my thoughts)

Henni, I don't know where you hanger but in our one hanger there are a few which have the issues, dust collecting and really looking like they could do with some tender loving care. Maybe I should start a business like "Start and Fly around the block for a small fee" no risks attached.

Dieselfan, your really in tune with you soft side. How great.

Wintervogel squadron, 16 trikes strong, hardly misses a weekend.

Several trikes here, A.T.F expired / buckled, now dabbling in building kits/ partnership in ppl/or just bumming rides in fixed wing.

Seems to be got it/ done it, tired of the patch / frightening experience and now what's next?

Lots of " When we" warlord stories of engine- outs, pull starting in air, stuffed radios, near miss e.t.c.

I think there needs to be a drive for instructors to get them back in the saddle for a refreshers, get the AP / ATF or auction all the crap and let someone else get use of the trike, and more importantly, the hangar.

Another idea, is to ask instructor / experienced buddy to pre-flight and then test their aeries? Could require minor wing adjustments to get them straight and level again.

Good idea Leon.
The clubs should also do more to get these guys active and keep them that way. It is in all our interests to have a healthy sport.
The best way to keep active is to have a group of guys who fly together regularly. SOme absolute fanatics in the group also help (like DF).

On a quiet afternoon you can hear the alli rot at Rhino there are just so many there that the owners dont even try, I sometimes feel ashamed when we get visitors and you here what they say about some of the air or landcraft's in the hangers.

Sies man word wakker, why did you buy the damn things mate.

Ok so I will get a bit of flack so what.l

Poetic words aside...

It interesting to see this is not an isolated thing. Aircraft are not just vehicles, well atleast I don't think of my trike that way. It's a way of life and they (the trikes / gyros etc) deserve better.

Agent no flak, you are right. How can owners just let the planes rot. Owning and having one is a dream MANY wish they could have. Perhaps we should set up an auction for these by contacting the owners, get them fixed and sell them off at good prices - yes it will knock the 2nd hand market for a while but atleast we'll have more eager pilots in the air.

If one cannot live their dreams it impacts negatively on ones life. You get stressed, depressed and bored. I know of a few guys who rent to fly purely cause they can't find a cheap microlight. The vast majority of microlight pilots aren't wealthy or have their own businesses. We need to pass these aeries on to others. Like a syndicate. I'm sure this borders on the same thinking as setting up our own non profit insurance fund, but how about a buy back scheme etc.

It also becomes a serious problem for new pilots, not having hangar space. Skyriders trained in the region of 90 people last year, so where do they go? This problem becomes compounded because the new pilots have to travel further to their fields and then eventually give up flying. We really are turning out vegetable pilots - pun intended.

he he he

think outside the box. We could get government funding if we set up a sec 21 company for the futherment of (microlight) aviation amung the youth. USA have an awesome prg like this.


Am thinking alloud
Set up sect 21 co. Secure funding from Govt Seta or self fund the first one or 2. Buy these (hangar queen) aeries from the non flyers at fair price, have AP/AME who with financial support of the program repairs these while educating helpers in the basics of ML's, aerodynamics, flight characteristics etc (similar to EAA young eagles prg). Once complete these aeries are used for flight instruction (possibly train some guys up to instructor level in return for free instruction in the prg). Get fuel companies involved to sponsor fuel... Get local trike manufacturers involved to test products etc....

There is a real opportunity here to amke a difference but it will however take some serious work.... and will not be popular as it may take some business away from schools? I used to work for a guy who always told us... "You can make a difference or buy groceries..."

Some great ideas!
So who is going to take the lead here? I would love to, but work has me full steam at the moment. I will however be more than willing to give of my time and energy.

Hi all, i don't know where you live, i'm in springbok clear skies and few other of any in the sky with you. Only need one reason to go fly. Some people have planes to be able to brag at a function to buddies.

Yip I know plenty of those....