Pistonhead - Went Flying
Discussion
Hello Folks,
I was up at the crack of down today (well 5am), to go flying with my brother. We took off from Twywell from a grass strip the farmer has cut. Its a brilliant place to go from, only today it was a little foggy being so early.
After checks we taxied to the far end of the stip ready for take off. Everything went smoothly and as soon as we managed to climb 30ft or so, it was a white out. Now this is quite scary as you cant see where the heck you are and landing was out of the question.
So we had to climb, till we broke through the cloud base.
Our breakfst at the East coast was never going to be, we flew back towards Kettering, to make sure we could see what was happening with the mist, and cloud. While over that way flew over Mark Skinners, and from the air texted him a picture.
We got a good flight in and had some fun over the windfarm and flew through it at one part. Crikey they are big!
There was a fire on the A43 so flew down to see what all the smoke was about. It turned out to be a crane that was on fire just near Broughton. We landed for a small break just near the A43 so we could call back to Twywell, as we needed to make sure the runway was visible. On the way back that huge storm was chasing us, its quite a nasty thing to see from the sky, as the air somehow looses density and makes things very odd. Flew towards Ise lodge and waved at Kate, and Freya, and pulled some speed on along the A14 racing a yellow convertible. I waved!!
We came in on a good return in a torrent of rain. But safe. That was an eventful couple of hours. All while most folk were still in bed.
I was up at the crack of down today (well 5am), to go flying with my brother. We took off from Twywell from a grass strip the farmer has cut. Its a brilliant place to go from, only today it was a little foggy being so early.
After checks we taxied to the far end of the stip ready for take off. Everything went smoothly and as soon as we managed to climb 30ft or so, it was a white out. Now this is quite scary as you cant see where the heck you are and landing was out of the question.
So we had to climb, till we broke through the cloud base.
Our breakfst at the East coast was never going to be, we flew back towards Kettering, to make sure we could see what was happening with the mist, and cloud. While over that way flew over Mark Skinners, and from the air texted him a picture.
We got a good flight in and had some fun over the windfarm and flew through it at one part. Crikey they are big!
There was a fire on the A43 so flew down to see what all the smoke was about. It turned out to be a crane that was on fire just near Broughton. We landed for a small break just near the A43 so we could call back to Twywell, as we needed to make sure the runway was visible. On the way back that huge storm was chasing us, its quite a nasty thing to see from the sky, as the air somehow looses density and makes things very odd. Flew towards Ise lodge and waved at Kate, and Freya, and pulled some speed on along the A14 racing a yellow convertible. I waved!!
We came in on a good return in a torrent of rain. But safe. That was an eventful couple of hours. All while most folk were still in bed.
looks a bit too scary for me, hate heights 
jamesuk28 said:
I live in Twywell and often see the microlight flying about. Its something I have always fancied getting into. One question if you loose the engine are you:
1. F@*#ed ?
2. F@*#ed if you cant land pretty quick ?
3. Simply turn into a glider?
1. F@*#ed ?
2. F@*#ed if you cant land pretty quick ?
3. Simply turn into a glider?
Answer C, though you will descend!!!
So its answer "c" (3) and quite a bit of answer "b" (2) then.
Im quite a fat tw@t 15.5 stone (very fast pie arm) what is the restriction for weight?
How long does it take to get a microlight license?
What would it cost to buy a microlight and run per year.
I did look at doing my private helicopter license but that was about £10,000 plus £40,000 for a cheap chopper.
Im quite a fat tw@t 15.5 stone (very fast pie arm) what is the restriction for weight?
How long does it take to get a microlight license?
What would it cost to buy a microlight and run per year.
I did look at doing my private helicopter license but that was about £10,000 plus £40,000 for a cheap chopper.
I'm going to look at power gliding for next year. Did do gliding for a year or so but found it very time consuming. The beauty of power gliding is the kit can fit into either Blipi or Tivi! 
Also doesn't seem too expensive.
Maybe we could start a Northants PH Flying Club?! Hee hee!
-JB, Now you have started something...
Also doesn't seem too expensive. Maybe we could start a Northants PH Flying Club?! Hee hee!
-JB, Now you have started something...
jamesuk28 said:
I live in Twywell and often see the microlight flying about. Its something I have always fancied getting into. One question if you loose the engine are you:
1. F@*#ed ?
2. F@*#ed if you cant land pretty quick ?
3. Simply turn into a glider?
1. F@*#ed ?
2. F@*#ed if you cant land pretty quick ?
3. Simply turn into a glider?
The engines on microlights are very reliable, due to the service intervals. Rebuilds every 150 hours. There is something called a hang bolt, that is as small as your little finger that holds you the trike and passenger in the air through G's at times. This is the most scary thought.
Engine failures on take off are the biggest problem, but this is practiced over and over. The engine power determines if you go up or down. IE: Press the accellerator you climb. Its nothing to do with the angle of attack. Steering it through an A frame just like a traditional 70's glider.
The unit will glide and in the event of a forced landing, pilons and power cables are trouble. Pick a field and look as hard as you can for power lines. You cant see the lines from the air, so you look for posts and structures.
Spot the cables in the picture above?
Also you dont appear on military jet radar, so keep your eyes open, flying 500-700 ft is a favorite for them, and makes for good flying in a microlight.
Edited by justinbaker on Friday 7th July 09:39
Well folks, managed an early morning flight today, and managed to get to the east coast in 40 mins, where we had breakfast! There is a truckers cafe at Holbeach, where the owner has kept a grass strip right at the back.
Lovely clear day, the highlight was watching a seal swim from overhead, then flying low just of shore waving to folk walking on the beach!
Here's the pictures.
Take off
10 mins into flight.
6000 ft up (where its cold)
Breakfast at 7am
Back in the air
The Wash and Hunstanton.
Skimming along the beach!
The grass stip on approach.
The hang bolt (All that holds two people and the trike in the air!!!!)
Lovely clear day, the highlight was watching a seal swim from overhead, then flying low just of shore waving to folk walking on the beach!
Here's the pictures.
Take off
10 mins into flight.
6000 ft up (where its cold)
Breakfast at 7am
Back in the air
The Wash and Hunstanton.
Skimming along the beach!
The grass stip on approach.
The hang bolt (All that holds two people and the trike in the air!!!!)
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