Mondial de l'ULM 2022: a breath of freedom
This edition of the Mondial de l’ULM has matured compared with last year’s first edition, which had already achieved its three main objectives:
- Bring together the whole microlight family, in particular paramotors and, this year, a few balloons, while showing only microlights;
- Showcase the diversity and creativity of French and European manufacturers and equipment makers;
- Make the Mondial a festive gathering, a place to meet and share practices.
In a social climate where the image of aviation has been deeply tarnished, and under the new regulatory framework for organising air shows, it is very difficult to put on such an event. Yet it is well worth the effort, because if you want to fly in high-performance, innovative, energy-efficient and, on top of that, fun machines, microlighting is the best formula. We just have to show it and come together.
For the first time, the president of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), Brigitte Henriques, discovered our activity, which was nothing like the idea she had of our kind of aviation: “I know nothing about it, but it gives a breath of freedom and a desire to fly.” The sports movement brings together more than a hundred sports federations, and this is a fine tribute.
Two other highlights marked the MULM: the 40 years of Air Création, patron of this second edition, and the General Assembly of the European Microlight Federation (EMF).
Air Création’s electric E-pixel, Samir’s poetic demonstrations with the “Bush” and the 500 metres of ribbon, and the energy of the whole team brought a welcome freshness from a company that is typical of the very best that French microlighting can do: performance and craftsmanship. The Director General of Civil Aviation, Damien Cazé, who was the previous patron, passed on the torch with a remarkable and valuable level of support and interest in our activity.
For the first time, the EMF General Assembly brought together more than fifteen presidents of European federations, who were able to discover the vitality of French-style microlighting, as well as the good fortune we have in being able to work with the DGAC and with the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis (BEA). This General Assembly was above all an opportunity to foster a better understanding of our practices and to let as many pilots as possible in Europe benefit from them, within a specific microlight regulatory framework. On this occasion, the DGAC also simplified the procedures for foreign microlights visiting France.
Also worth noting were the perfect coordination by the flight direction team between the different types of flying (arrivals, displays, paramotors, balloons…), the buzz of the paramotor village by day, in the air and in the evening! There were also the superb displays by the Collectif France paramotor team, and the France STOL team, which was present for the first time.
The weather was difficult and, out of caution, a large proportion of the 800 registered machines due to fly had to stay on the ground. Attendance was therefore slightly down on last year (4 800 visitors, compared with 5 500 in 2021), but the MULM budget came in below forecast, thanks in particular to the many exhibitors and to excellent cost control by the organisers. The full review of this edition (safety, organisation, budget) will of course be presented at the General Assembly.
The only thing that really matters is to thank, from the bottom of our hearts, the 70 volunteers who did extraordinary work so that the MULM could benefit everyone. A team full of good humour and passion! Thank you to the exhibitors who put their trust in us, to all our partners and to our athletes.
See you at the MULM 2023 for even more sharing and diversity!
Safe flying.
