Although a relative newcomer to the flying scene, the microlight, sometimes called the ultralight, is in many respects back to basics. When the first successful planes were built at the turn of the century, most were simple, light weight aircraft which were very slow. In 1895 Lilienthal built a glider weighing only 20kg. However, as time progressed aeroplanes became faster and better but also much heavier and more expensive.
The notion that only the very rich could afford to fly their own planes changed in the 1970s with the advent of the hang glider. Made out of aluminium tubing and a terylene cloth called dacron, it was now possible to manufacture a reliable low cost hang glider which was to be the forerunner to the microlight aircraft. Instead of climbing up a hillside with a hang glider, some tried to fit small, low powered engines to enable them to take off from level ground. The next progression was to sit the pilot in a frame below the wing, and to fit wheels so that the pilot did not have to run to take off.
These first microlights soon gained in popularity, proving reliable enough to risk crossing the English Channel. In 1982 a competition was held, with 64 microlights attempting to fly fifty kilometres, all of them managed to cross the channel safely.
Now there are many microlight clubs and organisations in many countries. In some countries only the most basic pilot's licence is required whilst in others no licence is needed provided that the aircraft falls into the microlight category. The criteria as defined by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale are that it must be a one or two seater weighing less than 150kg empty and a wing area of not less than 10 square metres. As well as taking off from a farmer's field, skis or floats can be fitted to allow taking off from snow or calm water. Most are easy to dismantle and fit onto a car roof rack. The wings are simply rolled up and stored in bags. Apart from the aircraft all that is needed is a crash helmet and some very warm clothing.
