Microlight experiences and training in the Ikarus C42B at Gloucestershire Airport
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Discover flight your way
Whether you’re buying a thrilling trial voucher, training for your NPPL, or hiring a microlight, Elevation Airsports has you covered. Discover more using the links below.
Trial Flights & Vouchers
Try flying in our Ikarus C42B with a hands-on trial flight—perfect for beginners or as a memorable gift. Enjoy amazing views, take the controls under expert instruction, and receive your voucher by email or post.
What is a trial flight?
A trial flight is an opportunity to get in the air and experience the joys of flight. Take a look at some spectacular scenery, do some photography and if you want, take control of the aircraft under the expert guidance of our instructors.
What you get out of the experience is ultimately up to you – feel free to get in contact if you require any more information.
What will happen on my trial flight?
When you arrive you will meet your flying instructor who will be conducting the experience. They will fill out a few forms with you then take you to the aircraft where you will have a safety briefing before departing for the flight.
During the flight there will be chances to take control of the aircraft and also to enjoy the views. What you want to do will largely depending upon the flight time you opt to fly for but also the weather on the day as well. Your instructor will discuss this with you prior to the flight.
What will be we flying in?
The aircraft we use is an Ikarus C42B. Classed as a microlight down to weight and stall speed the aircraft has great performance and spectacular visibility especially downwards for those aerial shots!
Can I buy a gift voucher for a flight?
These trial flights are available as gift vouchers. You will receive either a gift voucher in the post or over email. They can be purchased online through our secure checkout here.
The vouchers are valid for one year from the date of purchase – please call if you have any specific date requirement on the voucher, we will try our best to arrange that for you.
What are the prices for trial flights & gift vouchers?
To see our prices go to the prices page here.
How do I book a trial flight or gift voucher?
To book a gift voucher, head over to our contact page, where you can use our contact form, you can email or call us. We would love to hear from you.
If you have a gift voucher please quote the voucher number when booking.
Learn to fly, gain your licence and get your wings
At Elevation Airsports. we specialise in fixed-wing microlight flight training, towards the grant of a National Private Pilot Licence (NPPL) with a microlight class rating on the Ikarus C42.
- Train at a real airport
- Year-round flying
- Master busy airspace & radios
- Pay only for flight time
Unlike many microlight schools, we operate from a fully equipped airport with hard runways and air traffic control, allowing year-round flying with few restrictions. Training here gives you a head start in airport procedures, radio work, and handling busy airspace—skills that make you a more confident, better-prepared pilot once you gain your licence. If you can learn to fly at Gloucester, you’ll be ready to fly almost anywhere.
In the UK, you need a pilot licence to fly a microlight. The NPPL (National Private Pilot Licence) is UK-specific, not internationally recognised, and includes class ratings that cover aircraft such as microlights. To gain an NPPL with a microlight rating, you must complete flight training with a CAA-authorised microlight instructor.
At Elevation Airsports, lessons are booked in two-hour slots and always one-to-one. You only pay for time in the aircraft—your pre-flight briefing and post-flight debrief are included in the lesson price.
Flight Training Requirements
The microlight class rating can be issued with either of two options. The options are without operational limitations or with operational limitations. The majority of student pilots training for the microlight class rating opt for without operational limitations from the beginning of their training as ultimately it is less restrictive once they achieve their pilot licence.
The minimum flight training required for the grant of an NPPL with a microlight class rating without operational limitations is:
- Minimum total flight time under instruction: 25 hours
- Minimum flight time solo: 10 hours
- Minimum total navigation flight time: 5 hours
- Minimum solo navigation flight time: 3 hours
If you wish to work towards your microlight class rating with operational limitations the requirements are below.
Ground Training Requirements
The microlight syllabus lists the subject matter that an applicant for a microlight class rating must understand. There is no minimum requirement for training by an instructor to achieve this knowledge but the applicant must have demonstrated a knowledge of the subject matter by passing examinations.
There are written examinations in five subjects:
- Meteorology
- Navigation
- Aviation Law
- Human Performance & Limitations
- Aircraft Technical
The examinations must have been passed within the twenty four months immediately prior to applying for your licence.
Applying For Your Licence
Application for the grant of a NPPL with a microlight class rating must be made in writing on the NPPL microlight licence application form through the BMAA Licence Administration Centre at the BMAA office address.
Removing the Operational Limitations from a NPPL Microlight Class Rating.
To remove Limitation 2 the holder must have completed at least 25 hours of total flying in microlights and at least 10 hours solo flying in microlights. The holder’s experience is certified in their log book by a flight examiner and the Limitation ceases to apply from that time.
To remove Limitations 3 and 4 the holder must have completed at least 25 hours of total flying in microlights, at least 10 hours solo flying in microlights. The holder must have completed the navigation training requirements specified in flight Exercise 18 within the twenty four month period immediately prior to applying to have the limitations removed. Application to have Limitations 3 and 4 removed must be made in writing on the NPPL Microlight Licence application form through the BMAA Licence Administration Centre at the BMAA office address.
Medical Requirements
A pilot may only fly microlights as pilot in command in the UK if they hold valid medical certification.
The NPPL medical certification can be by a self declaration made online on the Civil Aviation Authority website. To apply for the medical click here.
Other accepted medical certification may be available, but applicants should check with their instructor prior to solo flight.
Elevation Airsports strongly recommends that student pilots obtain their medical declaration at the start of their training to ensure that they will be able to hold such a medical, and do not wait until just before they are ready to fly solo, by which time they must hold a valid medical.
Our Prices
To see our prices go to the prices page here.
Self Hire
At Elevation Airsports we are able to offer microlight aircraft hire in our C42 to licensed pilots, both post their training and to those with greater experience.
If you want to find out information about our self-hire prices then please head to our Prices page. If you have any other queries or questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We would love to hear from you.