Amateur building

Federation news10 January 20243 min read

Many of you have returned the federation's questionnaire on amateur microlight building (Constructeur Amateur ULM | Framaforms.org). Please share it as widely as you can!

From your answers to this questionnaire, and from the comments you also made on social media, a few recurring themes emerge, which we will look over together.

You can see the amateur-builder clubs already identified by clicking on this link:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1Lep2PFcx74FtgpMTqHdu_LjYwB34PRQ&ll=47.998299229402605%2C6.422711515062094&z=6

Joining the FFPLUM

Many of you ask whether affiliation to the FFPLUM is compulsory in order to benefit from the federation's actions to support amateur building. Without reservation, the answer is YES! In your club, only members have access to the hangar, the clubhouse and the facilities on offer, don't they? The same goes for our federation, which works for its members. So join us, help to build up the team and bring your skills to an already dynamic group.

European microlight pilots belonging to a federation other than the FFPLUM

We are going to approach neighbouring federations so as to "Europeanise" our resources. This may take a little time, but we are working on it and doing our best to give you a quick answer.

Administrative files

This subject accounts for a large majority of your questions. We will prepare a guide for amateur microlight builders to help you with this admittedly rather tedious administrative task. Very soon, in early 2024, you will have a dedicated e-mail address; you will thus be able to ask us questions directly and get an individual answer.

Training courses

A lot of work is under way to set up engine mechanics training. For an obvious reason, we will begin with Rotax engines, which power the large majority of our aircraft. Then will come the 2-stroke and the other commonly used types of engine.

Courses in fabric covering and timber structures already exist, and we would be delighted if some of you offered to share your know-how. Tube and fabric, welding, composite materials, metalworking... Sharing knowledge has always been at the heart of the development of amateur building, and it is up to us to carry on the work!

Suppliers’ addresses

We are well aware of how hard it is to source certain equipment or materials. We are going to draw up a list of suppliers (aviation or not) from whom you can obtain what you need. At the same time, we will try to obtain discounts for our members who are building or restoring their machines...

So, friends, that is where we stand at the end of this year. We still have work to do for all these projects to come to fruition, but you can count on our team to do its best.

To finish, let me remind you that amateur builders and lovers of tube-and-fabric aircraft have a dedicated area at the Mondial de l’ULM, which will be held in Blois from 13 to 15 September. There you can meet microlight designers and other builders, talk about your current or completed projects, and share passions or tips in countless conversations in a spirit of genuine camaraderie. We will also be able to meet as a group and, why not, structure our activity within the FFPLUM so that as many of us as possible find what they are looking for.

As this year draws to a close, allow me to send you my best wishes for 2024 a little in advance. May your wings carry you high and give you as much pleasure as possible!

Looking forward to meeting you … in Blois, from 13 to 15 September!