First Solo Flight for Derek Hrabovsky
Tue, Jan 18, 2022

Derek Hrabovsky is the Consultant Anesthetist at The Ulster Hospital and regularly volunteers his expertise as the Doctor on board the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance (Callsign HELIMED 23). Normally Derek is too busy with the patient to enjoy the flights in HELIMED 23 so he decided to learn to fly himself. On 18th January Derek successfully completed his First Solo flight in Thruster G CGFZ. Congratulations Derek and in recognition of your achievement we have now put a first aid kit under the Thruster’s seat and changed the Callsign to MICROMED 23.

Paul McBride. First Solo Flight
Mon, Jan 17, 2022

According to the BBC the third Monday in January (Blue Monday) is the most depressing day in the year. Paul McBride totally disagrees with the BBC but that is probably because on Monday 17th January he embarked on his First Solo Flight in Thruster G CGFZ. After his first landing and a well earned coffee Paul again took to the sky and completed a further twelve solo circuits. Congratulations Paul

First Solo Flight for Mark McGuinness
Tue, Jan 11, 2022

Mark McGuiness has an Aeronautical Engineering Degree from the University of Carlow and consequently has a detailed knowledge of aerodynamics. On 11th January the weather was perfect for flying and Mark took full advantage to put theory into practice by undertaking his First Solo Flight in Thruster G CGFZ. Congratulations Mark.

First Solo Flight for Race Engineer Keith Thompson
Tue, Dec 28, 2021

Professional Racing Motor Sports engineer Keith Thompson has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of engines and  mechanical systems  so the Microlight Technical exam was a piece of cake for him . On 28th December Keith also proved that he has the skills to operate all the systems on Thruster G CGFZ  to achieve his First Solo  flight after just 10 hours of instruction. Congratulations Keith .

Ulster Flying Club. Wings Night Presentations
Mon, Nov 1, 2021

Microlight Pilots celebrate Wings Night 2021at the Ulster Flying Club. Brian Blakely, The Anh Loughran, Brian Ashworth, Jack Toner, and Paul Bradley, received their Ulster Flying Club Wings in recognition of their success in achieving their Private Pilot’s License.

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Nathan McIntyre. First Solo Flight.
Sat, Oct 30, 2021

Nathan McIntyre took his first flying lesson on 10th September and has put in a lot of time and effort reading the syllabus, text books and preparing for each flying lesson. On 31st October Nathan’s efforts and commitment paid dividends when with just over 7 hours of flying lessons under his belt he undertook his First Solo flight in Thruster G CGFZ. Nathan was fortunate to have picked a day with near perfect flying conditions and light circuit traffic but perhaps that was only nature’s way of rewarding him for his commitment. Congratulations Nathan on your much deserved achievement.

David Norwood's First Solo Flight
Fri, Oct 15, 2021

On Saturday 16th October David Norwood’s lifelong ambition of learning to fly took a giant leap forward when he completed his First Solo flight in Thruster G CGFZ. David’s next step is to pass his GST after which he plans  to initially join a locally based  Skyranger syndicate and ultimately to take a share in the 600kg Sting also based at Newtownards Airfield. Congratulations on your First Solo David and your admirable forward planning.

David McGuire Now licenced to fly in Ireland
Mon, Aug 30, 2021

David McGuire was the holder of lapsed Australian and New Zealand Sports aviation licences but needed a current and valid licence in order to fly in Ireland. Fortunately the BMAA’s Aaron Bliss was able to advise David on the requirements to convert lapsed foreign licences into a current NPPL (M) and on 31st August David fulfilled the conversion requirements when he completed the Navigation exercises and passed his GST in Thruster G CGFZ. David has already brought his old Airbourne Flexwing back from New Zealand and has just bought a Danish registered Foxbat. In addition David has built his own little Airstrip next to his home in Galway. If Aaron is as fast and efficient in processing David’s licence application as he was in providing the Licence conversion requirements David will be flying from his own runway next week. Congratulations David on passing your GST.

Dimitar Ivanov. First Solo Flight
Sat, Aug 28, 2021

Bulgarian citizen Dimitar Ivanov is currently in the UK helping us through the crisis caused by the acute shortage of articulated lorry drivers. Dimitar has decided to learn to fly during his rare days off work and on Sunday 29th August achieved his First Solo flight in Thruster G CGFZ. Congratulations Dimitar on your First Solo flight and thanks for helping us keep our supplies moving.

17 year old The Anh Loughran gains his Pilot's Licence
Wed, Aug 18, 2021

The Anh Loughran was awarded the BMAA James Nichols Memorial Bursary earlier this year and quickly progressed by going solo in under 9 hours and then on 19th August 2021 passing his GST in Thruster G CGFZ. Unfortunately The Anh has been unable to take his car driving test due to a horrendous backlog of learner drivers and a shortage of Examiners, so, The Anh is now pacing out his school’s playing fields to see if they are long enough for him to fly to school in September to start his A level studies. Congratulations The Anh. James Nichols would have been proud of your achievement

First Solo flight for 16 year old.
Wed, Jun 30, 2021

SOLO AT 16. The Anh (Tiang) Loughran started taking flying lessons after lockdown ended in mid May and has progressed rapidly to the point where he did his First Solo flight on 1st July after less than 9 hours under instruction. The Anh has already passed his Air Law and Aircraft Technical exams and is well on the way to having his own Pilot’s License at the age of 17. Congratulations on your First Solo The Anh.

THE LIFE OF BRIAN:(The Second Coming )
Sun, May 16, 2021

THE LIFE OF BRIAN:           (The Second  Coming). (Monty Python fans will recognise the Quotes).

Brian Ashworth likes Microlights, and on  17th May 2021 passed his GST in Thruster G GGFZ. However Brian has spent  a considerable part of his  life drooling over the RUTAN Long - EZ and, as Brian “Always looks on the bright side of life” he has already bought a Long EZ and is busy fixing it up ready for its permit and gaining his own Pilot’s Licence. Brian has worked out that the most cost effective way of getting a licence for the Long EZ is to get the Microlight NPPL and then do the conversion course for NPPL SSEA  at Bournemouth with Derek Davidson (see Derek’s Advertisement about the Conversion course in the Microlight Flying Magazine )." Although Brian is" a very naughty boy" for not staying with Microlights he will always have  a very positive response to the question “What did the BMAA ever do for us ? " Congratulations Brian. Enjoy the conversion with Derek and then whizzing around the sky at 200+knots.

COVID UPDATE. Flight Training Resumes 12th April 2021.
Wed, Mar 3, 2021

The UK Government is removing the restriction on Flight Training on 12th April 2021. NORTHERN IRELAND MICROLIGHTS will be accepting bookings for flights from Air Experience Voucher holders and student pilots from that date. PLEASE CONTACT KEN TO BOOK A DATE AND TIME FOR YOUR FLIGHT.

SEE DETAILS BELOW

(STEP 2 – no earlier than 12 April Flight training for all pilots, and flights with an instructor, can resume.

GA businesses will be able to open following COVID-secure guidance, for example commercial balloon operators. The rules on social contact will apply in these settings. Outdoor gatherings must still be limited to 6 people or 2 households, and no indoor mixing will be allowed.

GA activities should take place in line with the wider restrictions. Travel should be minimised as far as possible.)

Corey Purdy passes GST with honours.
Sun, Dec 6, 2020

Corey Purdy is a second year Aeronautical Engineering Student at Queen’s University Belfast and for practical experience he decided to learn to fly a Microlight Aircraft . Corey is clear that the practical experience of learning to fly has been invaluable in his progress towards a degree, and on Sunday 6th December he passed his GST in Thruster G CGFZ with first class honours. Congratulations Corey we hope you pass your final degree exams with the same distinction.

Brian Blakely Passes his GST
Fri, Nov 27, 2020

Brian Blakely today took advantage of the freezing cold, crystal clear vizability, zero wind conditions at Newtownards to undertake his GST in Thruster G CGFZ. A very happy Brian passed with consummate ease and is now looking for his own Microlight Aircraft WITH A HEATER. Congratulations Brian