About Microlights

Put simply, a Microlight is a form of powered hang-glider. They are a weight-shift controlled aircraft consisting of two parts; a wing similar to that of a hang glider, and an undercarriage containing the engine, landing gear and seats for the pilot and up to one passenger. The three-wheeled undercarriage gives rise to their other name; trikes.

Microlights are powered by high performance two-stroke and four-stroke engines (mostly Rotax) ranging in size from 500cc to 1200cc. Depending on the model, Microlights cruise at speeds from around 40 knots up to 65 knots (75 – 120 kmh) and can be airborne from between 3.5 to 6 hours. They can cruise at heights from 500 feet above ground level to 10 000 feet, depending on the area. Microlights can safely glide and land without the engine running. They have a glide ratio of approximately 10:1 (which means that for each foot dropped they travel ten feet.)

Despite first impressions, Microlights are extremely robust and very stable. (Microlights are tested to 6gs positive and 3gs negative; 747s are tested to 2gs!)
They have impressive performance features such as short take-off and landing capabilities, rapid climb rates, and the opportunity to fly more by feel than by instrumentation (kind of like a motorbike with wings.)

User-friendly features include quick pack-up and set-up, ease of transportability and storage (easily stored in a garage), low maintenance costs (you can do self-maintenance) and affordability (new Microlights start at around $30 000, more for the top of the range, good second-hand Microlights are around $20 000.)

As well as the thrill of flying in an open cock-pit aircraft, Microlights offer the pilot and passenger spectacular and panoramic views. Because Microlight engines are mounted at the back of the trike (which means the propeller is pushing you along rather than pulling you) you don’t get blasted by air from the propeller (as you would in most other open cock-pit aircrafts.)

Microlight aircraft certification is tightly regulated by CASA (the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.) Microlight flying is equally tightly regulated by the HGFA (Hang-Gliding Federation of Australia) and RAA (Recreational Aviation Australia.)