Here at Kernan Aviation we use the Ikarus C42 when flying all gift vouchers.  This is a top of the range microlight  which is known as the BMW of the skies.  This aircraft is fully enclosed and is equipped with a heater so that even on the coldest day you can come for your flight dressed in normal attire.  You really will have an experience to remember!  Don't forget your camera or camcorder!

Excellent news!  You are in for an exciting, unforgetable experience!  All you have to do now is contact the telephone number on the front of the voucher and arrange a date and time to suit yourself.  If you need a specific date please contact us as soon as possible or if weekends suit you best then try to give us a few weeks notice because as you can appreciate the weekends are very popular.

Microlight flying is no more dangerous than driving, horse riding, swimming, etc - I would much prefer to fly than drive. All our aircraft are built by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approved companies to a very high airworthiness standards and undergo a very rigorous annual MOT-like inspection by CAA approved inspectors. Safe flying is very much up to the pilot and how well he or she has been trained.

It goes nice and quiet!  The microlight converts to a glider and gently glides to a perfect landing just like your instructor has taught you on countless occasions. Engines these days are mostly 4-stroke and built especially for aircraft and are very reliable indeed, most manufacturers now use 4-stroke as the preferred option.

In the UK you need a licence to fly a microlight and in most other countries as well. We now have a new licence called the National Private Pilot’s Licence for Microlights – NPPL M.
The licence is issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to a candidate who has completed the course of training and has passed the required flight and ground examinations. The licence is kept current by flying for at least twelve hours in 24 months and having your licence and logbook endorsed by an examiner to confirm your flights. If you do not fly the minimum 12 hours in 24 months you can do a flight test with an examiner to revalidate your licence.

Yes, of course.  We offer 30 min or 60 min trial flights so that it is possible to try out microlight flying before you commit yourself to lessons.  During the flight you will get an opportunity to fly the aircraft (under the watchful eye of the instructor) to see just how easy it is to control.  We have no doubt that following this experience you will be hooked!

Hours can be logged towards a licence from 14 years of age,  pilots may fly solo from 16 years of age and may hold a licence from 17 years of age. There is no maximum age for a pilot.

A licence to fly a microlight can only be granted where tuition has been conducted by the holder of a valid Instructor rating. A CAA authorized Examiner must conduct your examination. The British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) has listing of instructors and examiners.

The cost of learning to fly depends on the ability of the student, how often you fly and the weather. The minimum hours required is 25 but the average is between 36 and 40, and at  £100 per lesson you need to budget for £3800 for tuition fees.  There are additional costs eg  club membership fees, BMAA membership, student start-up packs, ground school fees etc of approx £450 giving an approximate budget of  £4250.

The difference between these types of aircraft is the method that is used to control them in flight,Three axis aircraft have control surfaces like those on a conventional aircraft, which are operated by a control stick and pedals making it more suitable for flying in more challenging conditions. Flexwing aircraft use a system called weightshift, which involves the pilot moving the weight of the trike unit and his own weight to control its speed and direction.

Most microlights fly at speeds between 60 and 70 mph but the newer designs of fixed wing microlights fly at similar speeds as light aircraft up to 150mph in some cases

A microlight is a powered aircraft build within the following definition.
Maximum all up weight allowable 450 kgs for a two seat aircraft, 330 kgs for a single seat aircraft. Maximum wing loading of 25 kgs per square metre or able to sustain flight at a minimum speed of 40 mph.

Yes, In fact some of the best flying weather is during the winter crystal clear days and no thermals. The cold is not normally a problem as all our aircraft are fully enclosed and the C42 has a heater fitted to keep you nice and warm

Before undertaking a course of instruction a declaration of fitness form must be countersigned by your doctor. Medical requirements are based on the standards required for a Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) Group 2 licenses for professional driving,( HGV and bus licences etc.)

If you have any other questions not answered in the above just give us a call or e-mail from the contact page.