Weight-shift microlight: a new world record
News item of 7 August 2020. It has not been updated since it was published: some information may have changed. Latest news
On Saturday 11 July 2020, Jean-Claude Quenault and Blaise Bouchet, weight-shift microlight pilots, broke the world distance record for a single-seat weight-shift microlight. They crossed France from north to south without landing.
Long, meticulous preparation, and a sporting feat
This distance record for a single-seat weight-shift microlight was held by Patricia Taillebresse and dated from 1987, with a distance of 811 km in a straight line without stopping, in France. The record had not been beaten until now because the difficulties are many (preparation, weather, mechanics, the endurance of pilots and machines, and so on).
Jean-Claude Quenault is a weight-shift microlight pilot at the Loches club – LF3752 (Indre-et-Loire, 37) and a great sportsman. Blaise Bouchet is based at Couhé – LFDV (Vienne 86). They chose this flight according to favourable weather conditions: they took off from Dunkerque-Les Moëres – LFAK (a strip in a polder, below sea level, at an altitude of minus 6 feet!) to reach the Oloron-Herrere microlight strip – LFCO, next to Oloron-Sainte-Marie (in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, 64), a distance of 906 km in a straight line (the actual distance flown was about 956 km to avoid controlled airspace). The flight plan was prepared at length, with waypoints around Rouen, Tours, Poitiers, Angoulême, east of Pau and finally the arrival at Oloron-Herrere, respecting all airspace and regulations.
For this type of record, they had to check that the empty weight of the aircraft was within the approval limits. The empty aircraft (without fuel) weighs 120 kilos: a featherweight! The weighings were done before departure and after arrival, under the eyes of official inspectors.
The single-seat weight-shift microlights used are Alizé aircraft from the manufacturer ELLIPSE, with a MysticCX wing and a 250 cc, 35 hp Swissauto engine. A magnificent, very well built machine. The pilots flew for 11h58, from Dunkerque to Oloron-Sainte-Marie, achieving an unequalled sporting performance.
With this very efficient machine, such a feat is a delight to marvel at. Rather than a high-tech achievement with overpowered, souped-up engines, this 11 July saw a sporting challenge over a long-distance route. These were pilots who braved fatigue and turbulence in lively air. They flew a simple machine with finesse: a true Ultra Léger Motorisé (ULM, microlight). And that is where the strength and pleasure of this record lie: in the humility and simplicity of the microlight spirit.
The flight
They took off from Dunkerque at 5.43am. The flight could be followed live from the ground thanks to GPS trackers supplied by the FFPLUM. They landed at the foot of the Pyrenees at around 5.50pm (where further official checks were carried out).
This flight, which lasted almost 12 hours over a distance of 906 km in a straight line, will now be officially ratified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). It is truly a feat that, beyond the world record, is a real adventure, both physical and mental. Above all, though, flying over France from north to south leaves memories of unforgettable landscapes!
Jean-Claude Quenault and Blaise Bouchet thank everyone who helped them (notably the drivers who collected them on the outward and return journeys, the Loches microlight club, the Dunkerque-Les Moëres and Oloron clubs, the metalworker Philippe Gervais), ELLIPSE and Jean-Marc Rousselet, the sponsors, and the FFPLUM.
Tired after this long flight, perhaps they will now work on new routes to try to beat 1000 km... but they would then probably have to cross the French border...
Jean-Claude Quenault and his weight-shift microlight
The final weigh-in the day before departure
Blaise and Jean-Claude's route, from Dunkerque to Oloron Ste Marie
