Microlights

[Bob T]

Just to keep this thread going, this is how my broomstick lands:

[IMG]http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q259/bikesindordogne/Flying/100_2024.jpg[/IMG]

And this is how she flies:

[IMG]http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q259/bikesindordogne/Flying/100_2010.jpg[/IMG]

[Jonzjob]

Yup, I would say that it was a good landing, you were able to walk away from it!! Nice one BoB...

Looks good in the air too. Don't forget to phone before you come down, just to make sure we are in??[:D]

[Deimos]

I don't know about microlights in France but can

comment on gliding regulations.

France does not recognise any of the gliding

qualifications awarded in the UK (Bronze, etc. thingys). they have a

much better system (so they keep telling me anyway). The French

system is controlled by two government departments who resent each

others involvement (makes life easy). things like your log book are

strict legal documents !!

To get a gliding license you need to pass a theory

test (something like 95% pass mark - though it is multiple choice).

This is in French. In theory (according to the written regs) you are

allowed an interpreter to help with the language aspects but all the

authorities deny that this is the case. Fail the exam 1st time then

you can sit it in a month. Fail it then and you have to wait 3 (or 6

months, unsure). Fail it again and you have to wait ages before

being allowed to resit it. You then need to take a practical test -

the examiner being the regional training person (though he may often

delegate the test to somebody more local and then receive

recommendations and a report from that person).

There is a scheme where, if you have adequate UK

qualifications you can apply to Ministry in France and get a

certificate to fly in France - though you certainly have to do this

every year and I don't know how long it lasts - I've never done that.

There are issues about airworthiness certificates between France and

the UK. I don't know about the UK but France is very controlled in

that regard.

Which all sounds really negative. On the "other

side of the coin", the climate is fantastic for gliding (much

better weather for thermals). One of my first few solo flights was

over 3 hours and I had to "fly down" as it was getting late

and all the other gliders were already in the hangar.

But all that is gliders.

If you don't have web sites for the microlight

clubs, etc. then let me know as I came across loads when looking for

gliding clubs. I think microlight clubs are more common than

"powered aircraft" clubs/airfields as I know of two

microlight clubs near me that are microlight only. There is a French

Microlight Association who I'm sure will list all approved clubs.

Ian