Happy New Year & Happy Landings to all our friends - hope to see you all in 2014 :-)

Mid Anglia Microlights, Beccles, Suffolk.

Reproduced below is the online EDP article from Wednesday 18th December written by Amy Smith 

VIDEO: The sky’s the limit as pair make dreams of flight come true

Mid Anglia Microlights have set up at Ellough airfield offering flying lessons. Instructors Anthony Preston and Gary Taylor (light jacket)

Amy SmithWednesday, December 18, 2013
9:14 AM

 

Flying at 2,000ft, taking in the breathtaking views across Norfolk and Suffolk is a dream for many.

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But now, with the help of a 76-year-old pilot and an RAF aircraft engineer, taking to the skies has become all the more accessible.

The pair, who between them have more than 65 years of flying experience, have launched a new flying school in Beccles – Mid Anglia Microlights – with the aim of offering people a simple path into flying.

Gary Taylor, 44, an aircraft engineer at RAF Marham, said: “We want to break the barrier. People think learning to fly is really difficult and expensive but we want to show people it is easy to grasp and you can learn to fly on a normal job.

“There’s something amazing about taking people up and showing them the world from a different perspective.

“I’ve spent years with my own aircraft taking people up for fun. It is one of the most satisfying things and we want to share the experience.”

A microlight is a simplified type of aircraft, limited to two seats and a weight of 450 kilos.

The flying school has been set up by Mr Taylor and Anthony Preston, a former RAF pilot, aerobatics instructor and microlight factory test pilot, who went on his first solo flight at the age of 17. The pair met at a flying school in north Norfolk and realised there was a gap in the market for microlight lessons in Suffolk.

Mr Taylor said: “This area doesn’t have any microlight schools. There is no one else offering what we do. There was a window of opportunity and it seemed to make sense.

“It seems to be going well already bearing in mind it’s off season at the moment. We have had people randomly contacting us and they have walked away so enthusiastic.”

Both instructors teach to a syllabus set down by The British Microlight Aircraft Association and you can learn to fly from the age of 14, although you cannot get a flying licence until the age of 17.

Mr Taylor added: “We take you from never having sat in an aircraft to having your own pilot licence. There is no limit to the age you can learn to fly.”

Mid Anglia Microlights operates from Beccles Airfield. An hour-long lesson costs £125 and 30-minute trial flights are available for £65.

Visit www.mamicrolight.co.uk or call 07815 074067.

Mid Anglia Microlight's Press Day

Today we had a visit from EDP journalists, Nick and Amy on a lovely mild day just before Christmas. The article should appear in Weds 18th Dec's EDP and Friday 20th Dec's Beccles & Bungay Journal. Visibility was great and the air was heavy and calm with layering of smaoke from a multitude of fires very evident. Still lots of flooding in the vicinity and fog started to form as Anthony landed with Nick. I think they both enjoyed their visit - and their flights. Amy was a natural! :-)

Anthony gives Alpha Victor a thorough preflight, refuel and clean before the big day

Amy, Nick and Anthony

All smiles!

The great flood of 2013

A crisp but breezy day - amazing views of the floods.

Anthony and I had a great flight together (not something we have chance to do often). 

I think the picture says it all 

A beautiful afternoon

Perfect timing today; arrived just as the tail end of the front blew through. Had a perfect flight in superb vis. Lovely 

A good days work - 100 hour engine and airframe maintenance carried out satis. Shiney new plugs and silky fresh oil; Alpha Victor's purring like the proverbial cat. Oh and we rescued a little Jenny Wren that had got itself trapped in the workshop!

A changeable day - great fun!

A very changeable days flying at Beccles. Highlights were a close encounter with a V22 Osprey from Mildenhall and dodging the showers whilst surrounded by rainbows - utterly gorgeous.

A beautiful days flying at Felthorpe Airfield, Norfolk.

Mid Anglia Microlights enjoyed a good days flying at our satellite airfield, Felthorpe near Norwich. 3 very happy students making good progress flying in the clear skies above Norfolk. lovely!

Microlight flying and flying training in Norfolk and Suffolk is what Mid Anglia Microlights offer.
Mid Anglia Microlights Flying School also offers trial flights which make a great gift; see East Anglia from the air with Mid Anglia Microlights.
Based at Beccles Airfield, we're conveniently situated for microlight flying for Norwich, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Ipswich and the surrounding area.
Contact Mid Anglia Microlights or have a look at our website www.mamicrolight.co.uk

Mid Anglia Microlights will shortly be offering trial flights securely via PayPal from our website at www.mamicrolight.co.uk 
In the meantime you can either email enquiries@mamicrolight.co.uk or call Anthony Preston on 07815074067

First Solo

Congratulations to student Laurie Hartman who achieved his first solo today at Felthorpe airfield.