Microlight PPL

[Leonvz]

Sir,
I am a novice to your domain and want to gain as much info as possible on microlight flying. Is there anybody out there who are willing to give me some info on procedures to follow as to get info on procedures to follow regarding application for pilot license categories, conversion of different pilot licenses and types of licences for most basic microlight aircraft.
I have consult a flying medical practitioner but the impression I got was that thi is a very excluded terrain. I did have heart surgery 4 years ago but am fine and the cardiologist examination suggest I do the flying medical examination and do stand a good change to pass this as he was involved in the aeronautical medicines and flying centre in Pretoria.
Are there anyone with similar medical conditions who are at present flying and if so what procedures did they follow to obtain their licenses?
ANY ADVICE and procedures to be followed to set the ball rolling shall be much appreciated.
e-mail address: lwvanzyl@gmail.com
Regards
Leon.

[Jean Crous]

Hi Leon wellcome to Microlighters. With regard to your questions i suggest you contact Louis Van Wyk , an instructor that has had a stent put in , i think he will be well informed as to the route to follow. His contact details are 021 975 3541 at the office. Good luck.
Regards
Jean.

[Bundy]

Hi Leon, Welcome to Microlighters mate!

Always nice to see someone wanting to enter our world of ultralights! I would strongly suggest you clear the air in regard to the Medical requirements first and get in contact with someone like Jean tree suggested above. The medical side of things is very important and yes you are correct in saying that the Doctors are quite strict when it comes to prevailing cardiac conditions, epilepsy etc.

Depending on what you are wanting to fly (it sounds like you have not yet made up your mind yet), any decent flying school in your area will be able to tell you exactly what the specific Licence Requirements will be on the type of aircraft you choose. Otherwise, speak to the Authority that deals with our lincencing (RAASA). Pierre is the man to chat to and has always been very helpful in my dealings with them. His contact details are on this forum!

I hope you will be deemed Medically fit and can join us in the skies in future! Good Luck!

[Low Level]

Hi Leon

Welcome. Where about are you situated ?

[Big Mac]

Hi Leon
Wellcome to Microlighters
If flying is your passion visit the closest light aircraft airfield and speak to the local guys.
I am sure they will point you in the right direction.
Let us know where you are situated as Low Level suggested.
We are in Pretoria and fly from Rhino Park.Great bunch of guys
Rhino Park has two Aviation Flight schools the one caters for Trikes and the other for fixed wings.
Both have a Professional approach and good track record
Regards
Big Mac

[John Boucher]

Welcome to the forum Leon and wanting to share or experience the pleasures & passion of recreational flight ...

The chaps above have all given sound advice ... before you embark on this journey and get totally hooked (which you will I'm afraid) I concur that you should resolve any issues iro medical requirements and get cleared for flight. Also, you shall have to decide which licence route you are going to take and by that I mean either National Pilots Licence (NPL) or Private Pilots Licence (PPL) and thereby also then determining what you wish or prefer to fly. If it is only recreational flying you are interested in doing then I would suggest doing a NPL and follow either the WCM, CCM or LSA path. WCM being "trikes" CCM being aircraft such as the "Cheetah & Bantam" and LSA aircraft such as the "Jab 160 & Topaz" etc.

Browse the MISASA webite.... www.misasa.co.za as there is a wealth of information hosted on the site. I also suggest you read the following : http://www.weboonline.com/MISASA/websit ... php?id=226 for some additional information.

[t-bird]

Hi Leon

Go for it, flying is awesome.

Just some advice if you are planning to fly 3 –axis airplanes. Do your license on an LSA aircraft. It is a lot easier moving from LSA to CCM. http://www.raasa.co.za/images/PDF/pilot ... gories.pdf.

CCM = Convectional control microlight
WCM = Weight shift controlled microlight

To give you an example :
You can do your license on a Thunderbird CCM microlight. Exactly the same controls as an LSA. You will probably take more than 35 hours to do your license. This means that you could have done your LSA license.
If you decide to fly a Jabiru with your CCM NPL then you have to do 20 hours – you will get a max of 15 hours credit. See RAASA’s website.
If you went the LSA route and decide to fly a CCM – Thunderbird –Then you only need to do a type rating by name and 3 take off’s and landings.

Then you also have Gyro planes under the NPL license . This is a license on its own and it means that you have to do it from scratch if you have NPL with a CCM or LSA.

My advice – make sure what you want to fly before you do your license as you can save a lot of money and time by making the right decision from scratch.

[John Boucher]

Excellent advice T-Bird....

[Bundy]

In addition Leon,

Im not sure where you are based? It would be wise to go and fly the various types before you decide which one you will be training on. There are many pilots here that will be happy to give you a taste of the various types. I am based in Pretoria and if you want to see what WCM is like them PM me and I'll be happy to give you a flip

Regards,

[John Boucher]

Now try get that right on the other forum.....

[Jean Crous]

So n bek moet "jam" kry

[Blue Max]

Do your license on an LSA aircraft. It is a lot easier moving from LSA to CCM.

Dit is nuus..

[t-bird]

Yip Blue max I wish someone told me before I started flying.

I wanted to fly Jabiru’s and realised that I now need to do 15 hours to get my LSA on my NPL.I have 150 hours on CCM’s and 450 on Gyros.

I started a PPL instead also on Jab’s and I have to do 20 hours for a PPL. For 5 hours extra I have a PPL.

The CCM and LSA should merge only difference is the MAUW.

[Leonvz]

GOEIE môre aan almal wat my met raad en hulp bygestaan het. Ek het egter nog 'n paar onduidelikhede waaroor ek graag sou wou duidelikheid hê om my in staatte stel om beter besluite te kan neem.
Wat is die mees elementêre ppl wat verkry kan word en watte kategorie vliegtuie dek dit?
Hoe moeilik is toekomstige omskakeling bv na Gyro's toe en wat is die min vereiste vir vliegure vir die mees elementêre lisensie?
Ek is in Upington gestasioneer en is tans staandemag in SANW.
KALAHARIE groete,
leon

[t-bird]

Hi Leon

Kan jy ‘n klas 2 medies kry ? Indien nee dan moet jy NPL gaan en nie PPL.

As jy ‘n PPL het op ‘n Cessna of Jabiru kan jy net die vliegtuie vlieg. As jy iets anders wil vlieg is dit ‘n conversion van +- 2 uur.

As jy Gyro’s will vlieg begin by Gyros , jy kry geen krediete vir Microlights en Vaste vlerke vir Gyros nie.

My advies is om te gaan vlieg in die vliegtuie wat jy belang stel en dan te besluit watter lisensie.

Met Gyro’s kan jy vir Eben Mocke kontak , hulle is by Upington.

Hulle vervaardig die RAF Gyro daar. Die RAF is moeliker as die ander Gyros om te vlieg maar Eben en sy Pa is uitstekende instrukteurs wat jou daarmee kan help.

Die voordeel van ‘n Gyro in jou omgewing is dat turbulensie nie ‘n probleem is nie.

Maar dan weer as jy net vroeg in die oggend wil vlieg kry ‘n mikrolight of trike. Dit is jou besluit.

Geniet dit.