Flight Training Restarts on 6th July
Thu, Jun 25, 2020

GOOD NEWS! The UK Government has approved the resumption of dual flight training and Experience flights for General Aviation from 4th July. The NI assembly has approved close contact business ventures from 6th July. So from 6th July for my students who have been patiently waiting to resume flying and get their licenses the wait is over. Also anyone holding a gift voucher can make a booking by calling me on 07740766443. The government has yet to publish safety advice and precautions about close contact businesses but I assume it will involve disinfecting controls and communication equipment after each flight and may involve some type of PPE. We will be complying with any and all Government advice before resuming operations.

Covid 19 Update
Sat, Jun 20, 2020

Well. Covid 19 still has Dual Flight Training on the forbidden naughty list. Various clever PPE solutions have been proffered but as yet none have Government / CAA approval for use in the General Aviation Sector. Rumours are that the CAA will be considering the problem again on 4rth July but I’m not holding my breath for a go ahead at that date. A bit of good news is that the CAA have cleared new Microlights to a much higher weight limit (600kg) so future pilots will have the option of flying some very sophisticated hotships using the Microlight licenses. Even EASA now accepts that pilots of machines up to 2000kg can maintain their licenses using a Microlight Aircraft because Microlights handle in the same way as their heavier 4 seat cousins. So Microlighting has come of age in the eyes of the CAA and its European counterpart EASA. All we need now is a solution to the Covid problem. I hope it comes before I get too bored with my own company in the cockpit.

Coronavirus Situation (Flights Suspended)
Mon, Mar 23, 2020

Due to the Coronavirus situation Northern Ireland Microlights is suspending Instructional and initial Trial Flights as it is impossible to achieve the required social distancing measures in an aircraft cockpit. Anyone who holds a Voucher for a Trial Flight can be assured that your vouchers will not expire and will be flown once it is safe to do so and that Government advice at that time is adhered to. Feel free to contact Ken at Northern Ireland Microlights if you have any questions. Whilst the current situation is no fun for any of us we will do our utmost to ensure that your deferred Flight Experience will be both enjoyable and safe. Ken Crompton Tel. 07740 766 443

17 year old Sean Scullion Gets his Pilot's License
Sun, Jan 26, 2020

Sean Scullion was awarded a BMAA Young Persons Flying Bursary last year and wasted little time in putting it to good use. On 26th January Sean passed his General Skills Test and can now look forward to borrowing his dad’s Thruster on a weekend. Coincidentally Sean also passed his driving test this week. Double Congratulations Sean. .

Six new Microlight Pilots get their Wings
Sat, Nov 30, 2019

Microlight Pilots celebrate Wings Night 2019 at the Ulster Flying Club. Gary Loughran, Garry Crosbie, Tom Martin, James Nicholls, Joe McCarrison and William Boyd received their Ulster Flying Club Wings in recognition of their success in achieving their Private Pilot’s License.

Joe McCarrison gets his Pilot's license and buys a plane
Thu, Nov 7, 2019

Joe McCarrison is pleased with his recently purchased Thruster nicknamed “The Yellow Peril”. Happily he passed his GST today (5/11/19) so that he has a license to take the Peril up flying. Congratulations Joe. Our dilemma is now whether to wish you many Perilous flights or not.

William Boyd happy at passing his GST
Sun, Nov 3, 2019

According to William Boyd a modicum of overt restrained triumphalism is socially acceptable after passing your GST. William can now look forward to flying his own Rans S6 Cyote that he has been renovating for the past couple of months.

James Nicholls wins his Pilot's License
Sat, Oct 26, 2019

James Nicholls scored a double success today by firstly passing the General Skills Test for his Microlight Pilot’s License and simultaneously winning first prize in the “Weird Headgear of the Year competition” James has already bought a share in an ex RAF Thruster with two friends who thankfully have a lot more taste in hats. .

Double Gary GSTs
Mon, Sep 16, 2019

This year’s “National Gary Week” is being celebrated by Gary Crosbie (left) and Gary Loughran (right). Coincidentally they are both also celebrating passing their GSTs in Thruster G CGFZ and their shared taste in Flying Jackets. Congratulations Garys .

Celebrity Chef goes Eel hunting
Thu, Aug 29, 2019

Celebrity Chefs James Martin and Paul Rankin will be demonstating dishes featuring eels from Lough Neagh in their TV cookery programme. The TV company wanted to show the Chefs flying over the Lough Neagh fishing grounds where the ingredients for their dish were caught so our Thruster became a celebrity camera ship for the day. Equipped with five cameras, four microphones and one celebrity chef (Paul Rankin) G CGFZ completed a tour of the Lough with enough film to make a whole series of cookery programmes. Pictured below are Chef Rankin, the sound engineer, Thruster G CGFZ and the hungry looking pilot. See the programme on ITV later this year.

Reverend Paul Bradley First Solo
Thu, Aug 22, 2019

As foretold by the Instructor prophet it came to pass that on the 23rd day of August Congregational Church Minister Reverend Paul Bradley did ascend into the heavens on his own for the first time in Thruster G CGFZ. Great was the rejoicing of the assembled multitude as Rev Paul descended gently and returned to earth. Paul can now hold his own  in discussions about flying with his friend Gabriel. Congratulations on your First Solo Paul.

First Solo in a Thruster for Joe McCarrison
Wed, Aug 21, 2019

Joe McCarrison had spent some time trying out different types of flying machines before deciding that the Thruster was the one for him. He quickly bonded with G CGFZ and on 22nd August undertook his first Thruster solo flight. Congratulations Joe you made the right choice (eventually).

BMAA bursary results in Tom Martin getting his Pilot's License
Wed, Jul 31, 2019

The British Microlight Aircraft Association bursary program supports young pilots of the future to help them gain the National Private Pilots License. Today 1/8/2019 Tom Martin justified the BMAA’s confidence and investment in him when he qualified for his license by passing the General Skills Test. Tom is pictured proudly wearing his Northern Ireland Microlights flying jacket next to the Thruster he trained on. Congratulations Tom

Visitor from Vietnam experiences Microlighting
Thu, Jul 18, 2019

‘Long’ travelled all the way from Vietnam for the sole purpose of flying in the legendary Thruster over the sensational Strangford Lough. The Thruster experience has gained cult status throughout the world and next week we even have a booking from an indigenous native from Coalisland. (‘Long’ took the opportunity to visit his daughter in Belfast while he was here).