Hunsdon Microlight Club

Are YOU Covered?

Following damage caused to a club members wing by mice, we'd like to remind all members that the club does not guarantee the security of aircraft stored at Hunsdon from either human or natural interference, damage or theft. This is due to the nature of the airfield & its surrounding area, meaning that it's unaffordable for the club to insure against such risks

Our membership form, signed by members when they join, states "I agree to hold HUNSDON MICROLIGHT CLUB, it's agents, committee members, associates & general membership harmless & free from any liability or claims against them whatsoever. I take full & total responsibility for any damage, injury or loss which may occur to myself however caused."

Therefore, members storing aircraft at Hunsdon are STRONGLY advised to obtain at least "ground risks" & aviation life insurance as well as the legally required 3rd party & passenger cover.

- if they're a student pilot flying solo under supervision (P1S) in any aircraft (owned by either themselves, their instructor or someone else), then that aircraft's insurance does NOT cover any of their personal risks in the event of any incident which results in any personal injury or death. Individual instructors may have other cover, but you should check with them.

- the same applies to qualified pilots flying their own or anyone else's aircraft as pilot-in-command (P1). Third parties & passengers are covered for such risks by the aircraft insurance (as legally required) - but you're not!

- however, students flying as PUT with an instructor in the aircraft with them are covered under the legally required "passenger cover", as the instructor is then P1. However, the limit of this insurance may be fairly low.

- Hunsdon Microlight Club, it's committee, members, associated instructors and/or other agents has no liability whatsoever to any member in the event of any injury, no matter how caused.

- you should therefore consider obtaining optional personal injury &/or life insurance. A specialist provider in this area is Stein Financial. You can contact them for advice on 01793491888, or their web site is at http://www.flyingcover.co.uk. However, it should not be taken that the club endorses, recommends or guarantees this company, & other providers are available.

Hunsdon Microlight Club has established a revised Letter Of Agreement (LOA) with NATS. This LOA allows us to continue to operate into & out of Hunsdon without transponders & without needing to contact any ATSU. However, there is a very specific route that must be followed from outside of the TMZ into & out of the airfield overhead. Additionally, under these rules, the maximum height that can be flown whilst inside the TMZ - which was previously 1,500' AMSL - is reduced to 1,000 AMSL.

Club members should check copies of the LOA (which are available at the club house) for details of the allowable routing before flying. If you're not sure, please discuss the procedures with a club officer or instructor. Non-club pilots without transponders wishing to visit Hunsdon remain welcome, but positive PPR is ESSENTIAL, even if you are familiar with Hunsdon & have landed there before. The routing is very specific & a full briefing is required. If visitors do not PPR, the club may take such sanctions as necessary to ensure the LOA is not revoked by NATS.

Alternatively, non-transponder equipped aircraft may contact Farnborough Radar (see below) & obtain a basic service with permission to transit "TMZ2". The ATSU will give routing guidance whilst you're obtaining a service from them. You must still PPR to visit us, because Hunsdon is actually inside the Stansted CTR.

If your aircraft is mode S transponder equipped, you must still PPR to visit us (again, because Hunsdon is inside the Stansted CTR) but you can continue to fly inside the TMZ without reference to the routing prescribed in the new LOA, but you must have the transponder switched on & in the "ALT" position. Your options are:-

b) obtain a service from Farnborough North on 132.80 (or outside their hours - 0800 to 2000 local - from Essex Radar on 120.625) & squawk the assigned code.

Once you've tuned your radio to "Hunsdon Microlight Traffic" on 135.480 you must squawk 7010 when on approach to, & in the circuit above, Hunsdon. This will let Essex Radar know you will be operating in to / out of Hunsdon.

Note that positive PPR means you must speak to a club officer in person - it is NOT sufficient to leave a message on any answerphone.

The LOA imposes an obligation on the club that infringements of its conditions are reported to LTC Swanwick immediately, so please ensure that once you have obtained PPR, you carefully follow the instructions given.

We regret that such strict conditions are necessary, but they are required to ensure the future operation of Hunsdon Airfield.

You may not often talk to a ATCO or FISO when you're flying a microlight, but it can sometimes be handy to be receiving a service from one if you're over terrain which would be tricky in an out-landing (including water!) - just in case you need help. It's therefore important to note that the services offered changed from 12th March 2009. For more information, please see:-

It's unlikely that you'd ever ask for more than a "Basic Service", so the website won't take too long to review.

Our club badge is available as flying suit patches & as stickers for your aircraft or car . Ask Rob, Barry, Paul or an instructor if you want some. They are very reasonably priced!