Below are some of our most frequently asked questions, however if you have a question that is not answered in this section, feel free to drop us an email or click here to get in touch.
Q. Should I buy a 30 minute or a 60 minute gift voucher?
That is a decision only you can make, although you will note that the 60 minute gift vouchers are good value. 30 minute flights are suitable if you want to see the local area which can include the River Bann and the bottom of Lough Neagh.
If you would like to go further afield and see the wonderful Mourne Mountains and the beaches along the coast at Newcastle, Warrenpoint etc or anywhere else in this beautiful countryside then the 60 minute voucher is the one for you.
Q. I have bought a voucher online, what happens now?
Your voucher will be sent to you the same day or next day by 1st class post, so you will have it in 2 to 3 days at the latest.
Q. I have been given a voucher for a flight with Kernan Aviation, what do I do now?
Excellent news! You are in for an exciting, unforgettable 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 weekends are very popular.
Q. Will I be able to choose where I go during my flight?
You will be able to choose where to go restricted only by the time limit of your voucher.
Q. What is a microlight?
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.
Q. How fast do microlights fly?
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.
Q. What type of aircraft will I be flying in?
Here at Kernan Aviation we use the German built 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!
Q. Is Microlight Flying Safe?
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.
All our gift vouchers flights are flown by our microlight instructors who are highly trained professionals who must revalidate their ratings every two years, therefore you are in the safest possible hands.
Q. Will I get a chance to fly the aircraft myself?
You will get an opportunity to fly the aircraft as much as you want during your flight, weather permitting of course, as long as the instructor is happy that it is safe for you to do so.
Q. Is it possible to fly in winter?
Yes, In fact some of the best flying weather is during the winter with crystal clear days and no thermals. The cold is not normally a problem as all our aircraft are fully enclosed and the Ikarus C42 has a heater fitted to keep you nice and warm.
Q. Do I need any to bring any extra layers of clothing?
Absolutely not! Our Ikarus C42's have a heater and are fully enclosed therefore no extra clothing is required, just your normal seasonal attire.
Q. What are your opening hours?
Our instructors are available to fly 7 days a week, weather permitting. In the summer we fly from 9.00 until dark most evenings and in the winter only the shorter daylight hours restrict our flying times.
Q. What happens if the engine stops?
It goes nice and quiet! The microlight converts to a glider and gently glides to a perfect landing. Our instructors are trained in how to handle such a situation. Engines nowadays are mostly 4-stroke and built especially for aircraft and are very reliable indeed, most manufacturers now use 4-stroke as the preferred option.
Q. Do you need a licence to fly a microlight?
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.
Q. Who can teach me to fly a microlight?
A licence to fly a microlight can only be granted where tuition has been conducted by the holder of a valid CAA instructor rating and a CAA authorised examiner must conduct your General Skills Test. Our instructors, Examiners and Check Test pilots are approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) who have listings of all instructors and examiners.
Q. What does the training involve?
The training requires:
(a) a minimum of 25 hours flying tuition (you will probably need more than that- see below).
(b) 5 ground exams including Air Law, Navigation, Human Performance & Limitations, Metrology and Air Technical. Most of these are multi-choice examinations and we supply you with the training and study aids you will need to pass them.
(c) A General Skills Test carried out by a recognised CAA/BMAA examiner.
Q. Do I need special equipment to learn to fly?
Yes you do, but we can supply you with a student pack which has all the books, maps etc you will need for your lessons.
Q. What are the medical requirements to obtain a licence?
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).
Q. Once I have passed my General Skills Test how do I keep my licence current?
The licence is kept current by flying a minimum of 12 hours over two years which must include 12 take-offs and 12 landings plus a 1 hour flight with an approved instructor. You also need to have a valid medical and have your licence endorsed by an examiner to confirm your flights.
Q. Can I convert from flex wing to three-axis microlight?
Kernan Aviation offers conversion training from flexwing to three-axis microlight, conversion from nose-wheel to tail wheel as well as to different types of microlight.
Q. Can I just have a trial flight?
Yes, of course. We offer gift vouchers for 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!
Q. Is there a minimum age to learn to fly microlights?
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.
Q. How much does it cost to learn to fly?
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 £4000 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 £4450.
Q. What is the difference between three axis/fixed wing microlights and weight shift/flexwing microlights?
The difference between these types of aircraft is the method that is used to control them in flight. Three axis aircraft look like a conventional aircraft and 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 have a pod or trike with a triangular wing and 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.
At Kernan Aviation we only use the top-of-the range Ikarus C42 three-axis aircraft which looks like a normal aircraft in design and has a heater to keep you nice and warm whatever the season.
We can also offer conversion training from flexwing to three-axis microlight and from Group A to three-axis microlight.
Q. I live a long distance away, can I stay overnight and book lessons for a couple of days to make it worthwhile?
Intensive courses can be accommodated, 1 day, 2 day etc for those living far away with 2 - 3 hours flying per day. There is a choice of accommodation in the local area if it is needed.