Flight in a C42 microlight from Deanland, Flight Sport Aviation

The Flying Reporter takes a short flight in a C42 microlight from Deanland airfield near Lewes in East Sussex, and speaks to instructor Tom Harding, who'd reported an airprox with a Citation jet near Eastbourne in March 2017.
In my rush to get this completed, I said Take Flight Aviation - I meant Flight Sport Aviation. Doh. Sorry. flightsportavia...
Airprox report: www.airproxboa...
About me: www.jonhunt.net/
Facebook: / theflyingreporter
Music
The Only Girl, Silent Partner (KZbin Audio Library)

[@TheMicroPilot]

Fantastic instructor!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Lovely man.

[@howardflies]

I certainly agree on what Mr Harding said, having been on a Boeing 737 simulator before I gotta say all those gadgets get in the way of basics such as lookouts and simply keeping your eyes and ears open. Single pilot ops on a citation is even more hectic i'd imagine. I guess it boils down to everyone having a defensive flying mindset, glad he was so open about it so we as pilots can learn from that incident!

[@paulsweet6235]

trained on C42. fantastic aircraft

[@marchantjoe]

As a microlight pilot (and occasional group A pilot) glad you was impressed with the C42 microlight, they are the future of decent and affordable aviation for the many. In fact there are a few examples of 3 axis microlight exceeding group A aircraft performamce. This is also my local flying area, great videos you produce keep up the good work!!!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks. I enjoyed the flight.

[@markh7288]

Will you be swapping from the warrior? They cost a lot less to fly and my experience has been, when things need fixing they are fixed pretty quickly unlike a lot of GA aircraft. I too fly most of my hours in a GA aircraft more because of the lack of decent micro lights available to hire.

[@MrAlwaysBlue]

I have just gained my licence on a C42. The only drawback is the central stick. For a right hander in the left seat it can be difficult writing ATC instructions down unless it is well trimmed in turbulent free conditions. Would be better with two sticks and and central throttle instead.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Ah yes, that could be awkward.

[@fery2531]

I have recently been trying to write with my left hand. The problem is that, I struggle to read my own writing afterwards !!!!

[@ckukmale898]

TY! :)

[@rossmitchell2721]

Just wondering why only one stage of flaps used during final landing phase. Was it to provide go around option due to gusty winds?

[@Farweasel]

More because the C42 will land perfectly happily with no flap if you wish, so stage 1 flap is fine and gives a reasonable approach speed of 55 knots (with a headwind like they had nearer 60 over the hedge would be no worry - Its light (less than 450 kg all up) and doesn't have much inertia - and a landing/stall speed of 36 knots. Stage 2 flap lowers that to 32 knots but you're kind of more at mercy to sudden gusts or worse lulls in the wind. - Plus you are right there is the bonus you're not having to reset flaps if something unexpected requires a go around.

[@tylerw1418]

How much are these

[@neilhathaway7051]

Nice video Jon, I fly these machines they are a great little aircraft. You looked very nervous though ;)

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Really. I was loving it!!!

[@neilhathaway7051]

Great glad you did

[@fourmen44]

Really enjoy your videos. Noticed the standard GA pilots amazement on how stable a C42 is! You were talking to that pilot about his airprox experience. I notice in your warrior that you have a Pilot Aware unit. You have never mentioned it in any videos I have seen. How do you rate its performance?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hi James. The Pilot Aware seems to work well. It's annoying when transponding aircraft show up without a bearing, compared to the other PAW and ADSB equipped aircraft which come up with their exact position. That's its only limitation.

[@CAXAviation]

Very nice video. I agree with what Mr Harding said. The max speed at low level should be reduced as jet pilots could be doing single pilot ops and heads down in their FMS thingy and not see a thing. I guess in these situations every second counts.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

This is a tricky one. We have military jets using the airspace down at 500-1000 feet mainly performing high speed sorties. But yes, it's not defensive flying doing your top speed at 1900ft over Tunbridge Wells.

[@BritishBeachcomber]

Why is Tom flying the right hand seat?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

+Peter D Morrison because he's an instructor, and I'm not capable on type.