Microlighters

There are two small boys in my complex who asked to go for a flip months ago, I said a condition was if their reports were good so today was their lucky day!

But...

Eish, I haven't flown in a while and took the two lighties for a flip. The first one let out a huge scream all the way down the runway (it was one of joy and excitement), but made me hard of hearing for a while thereafter, he thoroughly enjoyed it.

As I'm taking off with second pax (he was the more Macho one!) he grabs me from behind, we're 4m AGL and he pulls me hard towards him. Now on a trike thats MAD as I'm all the way forward pushing bar and here this lighty pulls me back so much so we lose height, my foot comes off power a tad and we aim for the ground, I practically pulled him out his seat by moving forward so FAST, we gently tapped the runway before we got airborne again!

Needless to say I did a QUICK circuit and had an interesting landing with him clutching me big time. A thorough debrief was then made. Eish.

2nd time round he faired well and wants to go again soon.

So please lets hear em. A mate has asked that for his son's Bday party to flip ppl and these sort of things are different from person to person. Lets learn.

PS Sorry I couldn't stop in and say hi Unicorn / Arnulf.

I can see the enjoyment, but it must've been quite comical too!

I normally tell my Pax that if they grab me i will beat them, all they have to do is speak to me and i will respond. If they are scared they should just say so and we can either abort take off or do a very short circuit.

I was thinking about this the other day. I never did this before but we should maybe warn our pax's that their life insurance (and in some instances medical aids) are not covered in the event of an accident in a microlight. Or would that be too much of a dampener on things

I found it very important to inform the pax that he who hurls a cat , is going to clean the mess.
This was however more of a problem in blik aeries.

DieselFan wrote:

PS Sorry I couldn't stop in and say hi Unicorn / Arnulf.

No sweat. We had a lekka flight to Heidelberg and the Fortuna dam. Was very pretty early in the morning with lots of ground fog in the shallow areas.

Regards,
Arnulf

Good point Arnulf

Something to tell them is if they are going to they should do it into their shirt - sounds gross but it will cause the lease mess especialy if you have a prop in the front which sprays the coch everywhere.

Pax debriefing is important and can make a big difference on how your pax enjoys the flight

If we want to encourage the sport we need to act as professional pilots give them a factual but calm debriefing which makes them feel at ease especially if it is their 1st time.

Tell them that if any time they feel uncomfortable or are not enjoying the flight they just need to tell you and you will take them back to the field.

Tell them where they can hold on if they feel the need to

Explain to them what woud happen if the engine were to stop and that even if it did they would be relatively safe

Tell them where to vomit if they need to

Explain to them there might be turbulance which will feel different to that of a normal airliner because of the difference in weight but that it is just part of the fun

If you have a BRS/GRS show them how to use it if anything should happen to you as pilot

We want the pax's to leave the flight having thought it was a great experience, was safe and that they want to do it again thats the feeling we got when we had our 1st intro. It is no use trying to scare the hell out of them and let them go away just boosting the negative rumors there are out there about microlighting With that in mind remember we are used to the Wx that is a little on the rougher side - if it is looking that way and it is a 1st time pax rather give them a rain cheque for when its better again

Comments? Other suggestions?

some pointers i've heard
if things go wrong, assume the possition; place your head between your legs.... if necessary,,,,,, kiss ya @ss goodbye
recently, i believe a quick circuit, will do the trick. pax can now know what to expect when taken for 'second' much longer flip

Thunderboy, I never got a de-briefing from you when we flew and that is why some nice black gentalman is now walking around with a Microlighters cap than says "AEROSAN" at the back

Yes I think information is vital. I took a frien up in a Sundowner and although I gave him the once over more than one he pulled the dash loose after the second turn he was the first guy that I saw go yellow and white at the same time..... needless to say I opend every airvent I could find- just in case.

Aerosan wrote:Thunderboy, I never got a de-briefing from you when we flew and that is why some nice black gentalman is now walking around with a Microlighters cap than says "AEROSAN" at the back

Ok so There is one to add
DON'T STICK YOUR HEAD OUT THE SIDE OF THE PLANE IF YOU WEARING A CAP

That diesnt help a lot since I found that out myself so.............THANX FOR NOTHING

Dumbass......!!

Eend jy kan bly wees ek sien die eers nou anners het jy Sondag oggend uitgeklim en geloop

What I do is to do my preflight with the pax and explain to them all the ins and outs and safety futures of the trike.I then try and explain what the take-off run and climb out will feel like. I also make them hold onto the seat frame and not me or the controls just so that I know their hands are busy. Gentle climb, shallow turn bach to the runway and then ask if they want to continue or land (never had to land).Climb to safe alt. and demostrate the glyde ratio by taking my foot of the pedal, this normally puts them in a safe mode and I can feel them relax and enjoy the flight. Speak to them all the time and warn them before you do anything. Never had any pax hurl on me yet Never take kids younger than 10

Andre are you all healed and back flying your trike now.

Got my wings back long time ago and have been flying your valley frot You must pop in at our strip some time or join us for a brekkie