Accessible!

Paradoxically, the two very special months of lockdown we have lived through have allowed us to get back to the essentials on many subjects. Contacts between clubs, companies, instructors, pilots and the federation at every level, elected officials and employees, have been intense and rich.

Many of you have shown us your support. The very good resumption of licences, the still numerous applications for affiliation, and the spectacular success of the ReV+ campaign (almost 1 000 flights in one month since 11 May) are reliable indicators. We should not rest on them, but they support the idea that structures our action: the microlight movement must first rely on itself, by strengthening the organisations behind our sport, by helping club officials ever more, by securing our instructors' career path, and by building solid relationships with our partners to make our sport ever more accessible. This is what we have been doing with great conviction and commitment for three years on a whole range of subjects that are consistent with one another and whose effects we are gradually measuring.

It is quite obvious that the image of aviation is deeply affected in public opinion. But this image, often caricatured, does not mainly concern leisure aviation, which is fun and friendly, has renewed itself technically, and which the media keep showing the French discovering with delight to get to know our country better and to experience new sensations. Microlighting has incredible potential in this context, but it is sometimes difficult to show this face to the greatest number. One of the new subjects we have launched concerns the acquisition of federal airfields (or possibly taking over existing ones) to make access simpler, in particular in the big cities. This is a long-term project, supported by the experience of other federations (motorcycling, free flight, model aircraft), and we hope to present the first projects by the end of the year.

Despite the deep crisis, its uncertainties and the many event cancellations, the summer season should regain a degree of normality.

We had planned to hold the 2020 general assembly at the Blois microlight show, which was cancelled. We are planning a physical general assembly (still in Blois, but during the French championships) that will also be accessible remotely. It will be an opportunity to take stock of everything we have done and everything we can still do together.

Have a good summer, everyone. Happy flying

Sébastien Perrot

President of FFPLUM

ULM Info 112 - June 2020