In my youth private flying was a relatively expensive sport in which only the reasonably we­ll off could indulge.

That changed in the late 1970s and early 80s with the advent of new materials like fibreglass, Kevlar and Dacron. These coupled with the ingenuity of a group of enthusiasts who were determined to fly for peanuts, resulted in the development of a new range of simple cheap to fly aircraft called Microlights.

Some of the early examples gave new meaning to the old adage about flying on a wing and a prayer, but after a rather faltering start, a couple of knowledgeable and extremely competent microlight manufacturing companies emerged. They moved microlight development from the preserve of a few gifted amateurs into the realm of professional aviation design, development and produ­ction.

As a result of their efforts and 30 years of lightening fast development, I am now privileged to fly in my own self-built 2-seater kit aircraft. We sit inside in a nice warm cabin, travel at over 100 mph, and sip fuel at a rate which makes my family saloon look like a gas guzzler!

My aircraft, pictured here is a Jabiru UL Microlight which costs less than a modern sports car to buy and about £35 an hour to operate, so flying is no longer the elitist sport it once was.

My wife Jill and I have enjoyed many happy hours in our Jabiru touring around the magnificent British countryside and coastline. We have flow around most of the coastline of Ireland, we have been across the channel to France, Belgium, and Holland. We even managed to fly ourselves to La Rochelle on the French Atlantic Coast, and to within 9 miles of the Eiffel Tower in Paris for two memorable holidays.

If you have never experienced flight in a small aircraft and enjoyed seeing the country you live in from a few thousand feet up, you have missed a great experience.

Why not give it a go just once by taking an Air Experience Flight at one of the many Microlight Flying Schools up and down the country. Perhaps you have a friend or family member who would appreciate the opportunity?

For £60-70 you or they can enjoy something only a tiny fraction of those on this earth have ever done - flying free in a small aircraft. With a fully qualified instructor at the controls you canrelax and enjoy the view and an experience I promise you will never forget!

To locate a Microlight Flying School near you send me your home postcode and I'll forward the details of your nearest Club or School. You can reach me at learn2fly@btinternet.com.

The lightweight end of General Aviation in the UK includes many different types of aviation, from slick high-speed going-places microlights to the more sedate parawings and paramotors which make superb and very economic aerial observation platforms.

To find out more about learning to fly and the various types of light aviation available click on one of the menu items to the left.