Thomas Joron: 2020 French microlight champion in a Micro’B
News from 18 December 2020. Last updated on 21 December 2020: some information may have changed. Latest news
The French Microlight Championship was held in Blois this year. It was an opportunity to put the Micro'B back in the air in its field of application: competition. An aircraft designed in the 90s and, more than 30 years later, it still shows it can reach a high level!
Before winning this title, Thomas worked for more than 2 years with his team and a new aircraft. The victory is without doubt the combination of these 3 factors that are essential to developing high-level projects.
A legendary machine in competition
The Micro'Best is fitted with a ROTAX 462 (2-stroke) with a Tillotson carburettor delivering 51 hp, burning 9.05 L/hour at a speed of 125 km/h. The aircraft was designed by Alain Petit in the 90s with the aim of taking part in the world championships. It allows the pilot to enter a wide range of events. It is so unique that only 2 exist in the world.
The Championships are an opportunity to test the capabilities of the aircraft and its pilot, and so to find sponsors for the development of future improvements. They also make it possible to sharpen the machine settings and explore the aircraft's flight envelope further through the competition's various events.
Blois 2020, a special year
The 2020 French Microlight Championship began with a storm during training, which complicated the final adjustments. Added to that was the lack of competition practice this year because of the health situation... But unsurprisingly, the championships' flagship events were able to go ahead!
The eco-beacon event
The aim is to fly over the maximum number of beacons with a set quantity of fuel of 11 kg (i.e. 13.8 L) for all participants. And to make things harder, we have to fly a maximum-speed leg on the way back... I came back with 0,2 L, the equivalent of 3 km of reserve! Then comes the landing, where the nose gear gives way during a precision landing... the next event starts in less than 3 h. I therefore have to find a way to make a new nose gear so that I can start the next event on time.
