First Flight
If you have any stories which you wish included here, just e-mail it to me, and I will gladly put in this page.
I remember my first flight was on a Saturday morning. It was 9:30 in the morning, and I kept urging my father to drive faster to the airfield. As soon as we arrived I didn't even bother to wait for the others. Alex, an instructor of the Island Microlight Club, had already taken the microlight (T600N) to the field. He had previously done a circuit just to check out the flying conditions. He said it was great, with good visibility. He told me to strap myself in the left seat and we were off. Battery on, fuel pump on, mags on, throttle closed, and with brakes on, we started the Rotax which started at once. While taxiing Alex told me to take the controls. I couldn't believe what I heard, but then I knew he thought I was capable, otherwise he wouldn't have done so.
We requested take-off clearance. Our intentions were to do a standard left hand circuit. There was some traffic in the airport so we were told to standby. In the meantime, Alex performed the pre-take-off checks. He checked the mags to see whether they were in the safe operating range. We were finally cleared for a left hand circuit at not over 500ft. Before take-off I had asked whether I needed to add a little right rudder on take-off. Alex added the power, and I couldn't believe that such a small engine could create so much acceleration. I had previously flown on a C152, but the latter was more lazy on take-off. In about 100 meters Alex told me to give a light pull on the stick. I pulled up gently and we were off. Fuel pump off and power to 5200rpm for cruise, we turned immediately on to the crosswind leg and continued our climb. I was so tense at that moment. That I could hardly move my eyes, but I'm sure it was because it was my first time. I thought that I was dreaming but then again I was FLYING!! Then on to the downwind leg, I noticed that I had climbed to 700ft. I kept it level all the way, at 55KIAS. During the turns, I was told to use light inputs. It's amazing how agile the Thruster T-600N can be. It has full span ailerons which is why it has such high rate of role.
On to Base leg, and Alex took the controls for the landing. He simulated an engine failure, to show the gliding capability of the microlight. I was amazed and I could also feel the thermal. I bet you can soar like the eagles on a good day. The landing was smoother than I thought it was going to be. And that was my first ever flight in a microlight, and there's only one thing I can say. I'm hooked.