R M Aviation Ltd operates from Sandtoft Airfield near Gainsborough, with easy access from the M1, M18, and M180 motorways and surrounding areas. We have an excellent on-site cafe and full facilities. You can enjoy a friendly chat over a cup of coffee or tea, light bites are also available. In short, we offer good hospitality in comfortable surroundings rather than the usual cold portakabin or draughty old caravan of many other flying clubs and schools. Our club has an active social club and many events are organised throughout the year. Members and their guests are welcome at all times. Many of our members call in for a coffee even when they are not flying, and always receive a warm welcome. Students are encouraged to 'mix in' and get involved with the fun of being a member.
WHERE CAN I FLY ONCE I HAVE MY LICENCE?
Microlights do not require conventional airfields. They can operate quite legally from grass strips or basically prepared fields with the land owner's permission. So with your newly acquired Pilot's License you can fly to the most basic 'Farm Strip' or the biggest Airport with permission. To improve your skills and experience RM Aviation' Offers 'Advanced Courses' which include Advanced Navigation, Advanced Flying Techniques, Dirt and Short Strip Operation. You can also enjoy the social flying from Sandtoft Airfield
WHAT CAN I DO WHEN I AM A FLYING ACE?
Visiting other airfields/microlight clubs/schools etc is all part of your new found freedom as a qualified pilot. There are regular 'fly-ins' all over the country. How far you travel is really down to you. As a club member of Sandtoft Airfield , you will be encouraged to spread your wings and join other club members on various 'Fly outs'.
Also RM Aviation regularly runs 'Flying Trips' out to other Uk venues and often runs an expedition to the large European Microlight show at 'Blois' in France. This trip is an escorted flight of several aircraft, for Pilots looking to extend they're flying horizons. (Rob Mckellar has flown the channel 14 times without incident from any of the escorted aircraft.) All the hassle of organisation is looked after by RM Aviation you just come along and enjoy another new experience.
AN INTRODUCTION TO MICROLIGHT FLYING
Microlight aircraft can trace their origins back to the late 1970's when hang glider pilots took the seemingly logical step of fitting small engines to their craft. Taking aviation into uncharted areas meant that knowledge and skill could only be learned "hands on" in the air. This meant that powered hang glider flying was certainly exciting - and sometimes downright dangerous! No design controls or licensing regulations whatsoever meant that the most unlikely craft became airborne. With the pioneering days now over, today's microlight aircraft are faster, safer, more comfortable and certainly easier to fly than ever before.
Costs range from as little as £2500 for a 'first generation' used aircraft to over £40,000 for a new fast, sophisticated model. They can be flown from any suitable large open field, with of course the owners permission and within any existing planning constraints, or from one of the many club sites or general aviation airfields. With CAA Aircraft Permits, Instructor Ratings and a well-established pilot licensing system, microlighting has now come of age yet it still remains one of the most fun and exhilarating ways to fly.
MICROLIGHT AVIATION ACHIEVEMENTS
Although they have been used for crop spraying, photography and by the armed forces, microlights are principally designed for pleasure flying. Being relatively inexpensive to purchase they have allowed people from all walks of life to operate their own aircraft at a much lower cost than may be associated with normal aeroplanes. Microlights have flown around the world and climbed to over 25,000 feet. Even back in 1984, microlights flew for over 12 hours to claim the world non-stop two seater duration and distance record of 550 miles! Today's high-performance microlights fly regular cross-country flights of over 200 miles in less than 2 hours on 25 litres of unleaded petrol.
DEFINITION OF A MICROLIGHT
A microlight is defined In the UK Air Navigation Order as follows:
- It can carry a maximum of two people and the takeoff weight must not exceed 450 Kg.
- It has either; a wing loading not exceeding 25Kg/sq.m, or a stalling speed not more than 41 mph.
- It has an unrestricted fuel capacity – within the constraints of its maximum weight and balance limits.
There are two categories of microlight aircraft:
2 AXIS CONTROLLED 'WEIGHT SHIFT' FLEX WING
With a wing structure based on the hang glider design they have a tricycle undercarriage with seats, engine and propeller suspended below the wing. There is a braced triangular control bar that the pilot uses to shift the weight of the trike unit, pivoting the wing around the 'hang point' assembly, thereby achieving control in roll and pitch.
3 AXIS CONTROLLED FIXED WING MICROLIGHTS
These aircraft are conventionally controlled aeroplanes with fixed wings, tailplane and fin. The majority of which have fully enclosed cockpits. They are controlled in all three axes (roll, pitch and yaw) by the use of ailerons, elevator and rudder.
Safe Flying Is No Accident
How do I get started? What’s on offer at R M Aviation Ltd?
Microlight Training to NPPL (Pilot’s License on 4 stroke powered Flexwing & 3-Axis Microlights!
School aircraft: The excellent ‘Pegasus Quantum 912’, the ‘Thruster Jabiru Sprint T600n’ and the ‘Ballisitic Parachute equipped ICARUS C42 microlights.
NEW to the Fleet!!! ICARUS C42 The latest and best all modern Microlight. Light Aircraft Performance at Microlight costs!!!…..
Intensive Training Courses are available for example one week, two week, three week or four week courses.
R M Aviation Ltd offers the following facilities:
- Trial Lessons and Flight Training.
- Aircraft Inspections and Check Flights for Permit to Fly Revalidation
- License revalidation flights, Pilot Revalidation Signing, and General SkillsTests (The Flying Test/Examination).
- Microlight Sales! Spares and Flying Equipment Sales. CHECK OUT OUR SHOP!!
- Microlight Lease/Shares available in the School Aircraft
One of the best ways to check out any sport, is to have a go! You can choose from a 30 minute flight for £75 or a full hands on trial lesson of 1 hour for £140 where you can have a go at the controls and see if piloting is for you. To gain a British Private Pilots Licence (Microlight) you are required to complete a flying training syllabus.You must complete a minimum of 25 hours instructional flying of which 10 must be with you in solo command of the aircraft. Again within this minimum 25 hours you are required to have satisfactorily navigated yourself by air to an airfield at least 15 miles from the start air-field on two different occasions and to 2 differing airfields! There are 5 multi choice exams on Air Law, Navigation and other flying stuff which you have to pass. The pass mark for these exams is 70%. Depending on your commitment and ability you should be flying solo around 15 hours. The cost of obtaining the licence is likely to be somewhere between £3500 and £4500. If you find yourself in the area then just pop in to the airfield for a chat and ask for Rob, you’ll be made most welcome. The flying training course can be completed at your own pace from 1 hour per month to a full intensive course with cheap accommodation available locally and any amount of training hours that suit you. Also don’t be put off by British winter, some of the best flying conditions occur during this season.
Shares now available in ICARUS C42, Pegasus 912 Quantum, and Thruster T600N Sprint.
Are there any Restrictions?There are no age or disability restrictions to flying as a passenger other than you must fit the safety equipment correctly. Student pilots must be reasonably fit and in good health. The minimum age to legally log training hours towards the NPPL ‘Pilot’s License is 14 years of age. There is no upper age limit as long as you have a medical self declaration of fitness to fly.
Making your Dream a Reality! WHAT DO I NEED?Initially, nothing, RM Aviation will supply all the equipment you require including headset intercom, Helmets, Flying Suits etc. You will be given specially prepared training handouts to aid the learning process for Circuits and checks etc.
What will it all cost? Both 3-Axis and Flexwing Training is charged at the same rate of £140* per hour for Dual and Solo in R M Aviation’s Aircraft.
Block Bookings – (Paid In Advance)
On School Aircraft
- 1 hour Dual Solo Flying @£140 per hour
- 11 hours Dual/Solo Training @ 1400 (1 free hour. ie 11 hours for the price of 10)
- 28 hours Dual/Solo Training @ £3500 (3 free hours. i.e 28 hrs for the price of 25)
On Pilot’s Own Aircraft
- 1 hour Dual Solo Flying @£90 per hour
- 11 hours Dual training @ £900 (1 free hour. ie 11 hours for the price of 10)
- 25 hours Dual/Solo Training @ £2250 (3 free hours. i.e 28 hrs for the price of 25)
10 hrs Flex to Fixed (or vice-versa) conversion = £1400(plus one free hour)
Breakdown of Costs
- Buy In @ solo stage = £5000/£1500. Training rates on school share aircraft then become: Dual £100 Solo £80. On gaining license, rates on school aircraft then become £50/hr Wet and £45 per month share fee.
RM Aviation current price list. (Air Experience flights on Thruster Fixed Wing and Flexwing)
- 30 min Air ex flight @ £75
- 45 Min Air Ex Flight @ £120
- 60 min Air ex flight @ £150
- 1 Hr flying training on school Aircraft = £140 per hour
- 1 Hr Dual Flying Training on students own aircraft @ £90 per hour
- 1 Hr Solo Training on students own aircraft @ £40 per hour
Training Packages:
- 10 hr block @ £1400 plus one free hr = 11 hrs – School Aircraft
- 10 hr block @ £900 plus one free hr = 11 hrs – Own Aircraft
- 25 hr block @ £3500 plus 3 free hrs = 28hrs – School Aircraft
- 25 hr block @ £2250 plus 3 free hrs = 28hrs – Own Aircraft
- Flex to Fixed wing conversion 10hr block @ £1400 plus one free hr = 11hrs
- Fixed wing to Flexwing conversion 10hr block @ £1400 plus one free hr = 11hrs
- Ground School Course, (Inc free exam fees normal cost £35 per exam) @ £400 (a saving of £175 on exam fees).
- 1 Hr Ground School (if not included in Ground School Package) @ £35/hr.
- Aircraft Maintenance, or A/C Servicing @ £60 p/hr
- Aircraft Maintenance with hands on teaching for owner @ £100 p/h
- Annual aircraft permits @ £180 (plus labour if any aircraft preparation for Inspection is required).
Please note the prices for inspections, maintenance and permits are on-site. Off Site permit inspections will include an additional charge for travel costs at 50p per mile.
School Share Scheme – Share package on school aircraft (licensed pilots).
1. Thruster T600N Sprint Fixed wing 4 stroke microlight. £1500 buy in (plus £45 per month fee). Wet Rate £50/hr
2. Pegasus Quantum 912 4 Stroke flexwing microlight. £1500 buy in (Plus £45 per month fee). Wet rate = £50/hr
3. Icarus C42 Fixed wing 4 Stroke microlight. £5000 buy in (Plus £45 per month fee). Wet rate = £50/hr
School Aircraft Share wet rates- All share schemes student or licensed pilots Wet Rate of £50 per hr. Note RM Aviation will only pay local rates for unleaded fuel, use of avgas is at pilots cost.
Thruster/ Quantum Buy In @ solo stage = £1500. Training rates on school share aircraft then become: Dual £100 Solo £80. On gaining license, rates on school aircraft then become £50/hr wet and £45 per month share fee.
Icarus C42 Buy In @ solo stage = £5000. Training rates on school share aircraft then become: Dual £100 Solo £80. On gaining license, rates on school aircraft then become £50/hr wet and £45 per month share fee.
Note: Solo Students who buy into the share scheme do not pay a monthly fee whilst training.
Robert McKellar
Chief Flying Instructor
R M Aviation
* All prices only correct at time of going to press and include VAT.