Microlight numbers take off

The rise of microlights, or light sport aircraft, is turning what was once regarded as ''a rich man's sport'' into something more widely available, and sparking a growth in hangar numbers at the Otago Aero Club.

An aerial picture of the Taieri Airfield shows the growth of smaller hangars alongside the runways, which Otago Aero Club chairman Colin Chalmers said were newer private hangers that had been built in the past two or three years.

''They're going up all the time.''

Most were housing light sport aircraft, he said.

''That's where the club is getting the majority of its new members from.

''There seems to be a bit of a surge.''

Mr Chalmers said about 80% of the people who got licences to fly the aircraft ended up buying their own.

''Once they get their own aircraft, they tend to get their own hangar.''

There were often two or three aircraft in each hangar, and hangars were often owned by more than one person to share costs.

''That makes it really cheap.

''There was always this perception that aircraft were a rich man's sport, and they're not - not nowadays.''

Mr Chalmers said the club used to own about six aircraft, and members used to have to book two or three months ahead to use them.

The aircraft were also expensive to buy and maintain.

Light sport aircraft cost between about $50,000 and $120,000, but could be bought for about $35,000 second-hand, he said.

They could be self-maintained, which made keeping them much cheaper.

The club's membership, which was about 120, had grown by 15 or more in the past two or three years, and most were light sport aircraft enthusiasts.

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