Traditionally, learning to fly has always been seen as expensive and beyond most peoples' reach financially, but this is not the case anymore. Most people learn to fly light aircraft for fun and for the challenge. With the development of modern microlight aircraft which are economical to operate, extremely well-designed and engineered, learning to fly is now possible with Irish Aero Sports Flying Club who operate a Samba XxL for flight training. Learning to fly is now within everybody's reach!

Modern microlight aeroplanes: The fast, affordable option. The traditional perception of a microlight aircraft has been a "flimsy, basic machine" - not unlike a deck chair with wings and a lawn mower engine... But with modern technology and design, this is no longer the case. Modern microlight aircraft such as the club's Samba are very much an aeroplane - in both appearance and performance - and as a bonus are very quiet, smooth, economical and comfortable.
Our Samba is a two seat aeroplane capable of operating from any grass field runway, taking off in as little as 130 metres, climbing at over 1000ft per minute and cruising with ease at speeds of well over 100 MPH, in smooth, quiet comfort. Irish Aero Sports Flying Club offers flight training towards PPL (M), the Private Pilots Licence for microlight aeroplanes, issued by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). The end result of completing the course would be the student pilot being able to fly safely and competently in VFR conditions, and on successful completion of a flight test would be granted a PPL(M), which is valid throughout Europe, and entitles the holder to fly in VMC conditions, that is in sight of the ground and clear of cloud and during daylight hours.

What is a microlight aeroplane? Basically, a two-seater microlight aeroplane is an aircraft with a maximum take off weight (MTOW) of 450 kilograms and a stall speed of no more than 35 knots.

What to do when you have achieved your licence? Several options are open to new PPL holders. The first and easiest is to continue to fly for fun at club level - that is to say, remain a club member and hire the club aircraft. Some people form a group and buy an aircraft between them - others buy an aircraft for themselves. Microlight aircraft can be purchased for as little as €8,000, for a basic machine.

The requirements to learn to fly The minimum age to start logging flight hours towards your licence is 15 years old. The minimum age to achieve a student pilot's licence (SPL) and to fly solo under supervision of a flight instructor is 16. To obtain a student pilot's license, you must first undergo a medical examination with an aviation medical examiner. Very basically, you must be in good health with good eyesight and hearing, and not be over weight. The period of validity of this medical certificate depends on the person's age.
The PPL(M) course of consists of a minimum of 40 hours flight training, of which -

• At least 25 hours must be with a flying instructor.
• At least 10 hours must be supervised solo flight.
• At least 5 hours must be solo cross country navigational flights.

What about the costs?

• Flying Club membership is €200 per annum.
• Flying lessons cost €120, which include a pre-flight briefing and one hour of flying instruction in the club aircraft. Lesson slots are at 2 hour intervals, instruction being available 7 days per week, weather permitting.
• The average medical examination cost is €150.
• Student Pilot License issued by the Irish Aviation Authority is presently €70.
• Written exam fee is €30 per exam and there are 4 exams in total.
• Flight test with a flight examiner is €375.
• Hire of the aircraft for the flight test is €100 per hour.

Instructors Vincent has been in love with flying all his life. He had his first flying lesson in 1975 at the age of twelve and had 16 hrs of flight training completed by the time he was fifteen and had also completed a course of ground studies for PPL by this time. In 1984 he continued his flight training at Kilkenny under the guidance of Mr Martin Mulhall and had his first solo in 1985. He holds a PPL(A), and also the holder of an Irish microlight licence and flying instructor rating.

The setting up of Irish Aero Sports Flying Club has been a dream and aspiration of his for a long time, which has finally become a reality.

If you would like to learn more or book your first flight, feel free to telephone, or drop in for coffee and a chat any time. We love having visitors, and people always enjoy the atmosphere of the club and the airfield.