Microlight aircraft test Gozo helipad
Three microlight aircraft from the Island Microlight Club made several landings and take-offs from the disused Gozo helipad today to test its suitability for such operations.
The aircraft flew from Luqa in the morning and conducted several familiarisation flights over Gozo.
“The main aim of the flights was to evaluate the possibility of bringing this airstrip back to life. With a considerable sum of money having been spent on it and its supporting structures, it will make a lot of sense to make use of this project,” club spokesman Joe Ciliberti said.
The proceedings were carried out under the watchful eye of Charles Tricas from the Department of Civil Aviation, who flew on one of the aircraft. Fire trucks from the Civil Protection Department were on site throughout the day.
Mr Ciliberti said the Island Microlight Club planned to make use of the helipad in the future, subject to permits from the authorities. He said the club could organise “fly-ins” with such light aircraft from Malta and Italy arriving at the helipad for a day or a weekend of activity.
Mr Ciliberti said this was the first time in 65 years that fixed-wing aircraft had landed and taken off from Gozo, the last having been US fighters which flew from Xewkija during the invasion of Sicily in the second world war.
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In Discussion
18 Comments
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Roberto Benetti
Jun 28th 2008, 14:29
Well, a good remarkable continuity..., however below you have the proper facts:-
The first microlighters in Malta were Henry Rota, John Vincenti & Tua.
The first ever official microlight to land at Gozo Heliport strip was infact on 31st July 2000, type weightshift (flexwing/trike) Polaris Skin registered 9H-UMA piloted by John Vincenti.
Current official length of the helipad is 174 meters, with minor modifications should be extended to 250 meters as per CAA safety recommendation for Microlights/Ultralights operations.
Roberto Benetti - Freelance Aviation Photographer / Private Pilot
Website: www.flightlinemalta.com
Mark Busuttil
Jun 27th 2008, 08:14
For more information about Island Microlight Club, please visit our website at www.islandmicrolightclub.com
Cheers
Mark Busuttil
Webmaster,
Island Microlight Club
www.islandmicrolightclub.com
webmaster@islandmicrolightclub.com
Pietru Pawl Solera
Jun 26th 2008, 22:12
Well, at last in Gozo we have something to see because living on this island without life is boring. I wish to try a flight but I am afraid of height. what kind of engine they have ? because from the noise it looks like my plough engine, what ever they are, they look great and from the pilots face they look that they had fun especially the one with the cigar in his mouth.
Pietru Pawl Solera
Michael
Jun 26th 2008, 13:09
After many years of dreaming, now the microlight pilots make another step in the aviation history, which will pass it on to our children and they will call it a legend.
Well done to all the microlight pilots.
Michael Camilleri
Mario Caruana
Jun 26th 2008, 08:48
Great achievment guys. Gozo still gets to have flyins without altering the structure. Its a great opportunity for all would be pilots from Gozo. Very well done, a feat that I am sure was not easy to accomplish.
Antoine Vella
Jun 26th 2008, 08:18
Very nice to hear that at last someone is trying to make use of an airstrip which costs us Maltese tax payers a lot of money. I am very pleased to hear that the Island Microlight Club are trying (and eventually will succeed) to restore this airstrip ( well done to Mark Said and Alex Dalli). I think this idea will be of interest for both Maltese and foreign pilots who love to fly these wonderful machines. Keep it up guys.
Alex Dalli (22667 M)
Jun 26th 2008, 07:26
When we founded the Island Microlight Club some ten years ago, Major Mark Said and myself, could have very easily bought a plane for our personal use only. This was not the case! We made the dream of flight a reality for all. Today we boast that there are twenty two microlights on the Islang of Malta with many licenced pilots and proud owners. We have had many people living in Gozo asking us extend this wonderful sport there! From our side we are doing our best to be there in a very short time and give an opportunity to the Gozitans to obtain a Private Pilot Licence from their wonderful island! We just want to make use of the facilities there and we have proved to everyone that it can be done!
Pierre Sacco
Jun 25th 2008, 22:37
It was great news to hear that the Gozo Helipad has been used again after such a long time an aircraft landed there. Although I live in the vicinity, I didn't notice any awful noises as someone might have suggested. In fact sadly enough I missed the event, only getting to know about it in this article! Very well done, and hopefully this will prove that Gozo sorely needs fixed wing aircraft access, and that the site will be developed to accept small passenger aircraft.(I'm not talking international airports here!) Today, the Gozo Heliport is just a misused site, crying for the authorities to do something, not just staying put and doing nothing!
Ray bajada
Jun 25th 2008, 21:12
I live in the vicinity and I didn't notice their presence (of course I wasn't looking at the sky). Whenever a helicopter makes use of the helipad it's sound announces the presence!
I guess the sound of these aircraft is loud when you are very close to the engine...somewhat like outboard motors on seacraft.
Saviour Grech
Jun 25th 2008, 20:40
The Xewkija Helipad and terminal were set up so as to facilitate inter - island transport. Has everyone gorgot this. All sorts of excuses have been used to discontinue the helilcopter service without bringing in any alternative sdervice. It is a good move to use the helipad for oher servicde, but it is better to restart the inter island air service.
Andrew Borg-Cardona
Jun 25th 2008, 20:08
Cool - those magnificent men in their flying machines! Prosit, guys.
Jonathan Abela
Jun 25th 2008, 20:03
I cant wait until the microlights start flying from gozo! I wanted to start lessons once with Island Microlight Club but I would had to go to Luqa Malta every time which I cannot do since I live in Marsalforn.
Adrian Camilleri: If you think being able to fly (without being left a big bag of money by daddy) is a nervous breakdown then I am sorry you are quick to judge other peoples hobbies so quickly. Of course you are entitled to your own opinions no matter how silly they may be!
Anthony Caruana
Jun 25th 2008, 19:40
With regards to the comments that these are noisy machines, this is simply not true.
What about when that Russian helicopter used to fly from Xewkija? You could hear it even if you were buried 6ft under concrete it was so noisy. I saw the microlight flying over me as I was driving along the Xewkija road and I could not hear it above the sound of my car's quiet petrol engine. If noise pollution were such a major issue then perhaps we should stop all village festas with their murtali that are loud enouigh to awaken the dead.
rebecca cilia
Jun 25th 2008, 19:30
I was proud to be present at this event with the island microlight club, it was a very nice experience which we all hope to re-do more often. Well done to all the club members. BRAVO!!!!
Adrian Camilleri
Jun 25th 2008, 19:11
LOL ! What a nervous breakdown........that sound & hobby!
Paul Barrett
Jun 25th 2008, 19:00
It would be a lot nicer for the rest of the population and visitors if these machines had a better silencer fitted to them (and quieter engines) - they sound like a moped with a broken silencer !!!!!!
Ray Pace
Jun 25th 2008, 18:41
Wow what a sight! Congratulations to the dedicated Microlight club members - hope that the use of this runway will be on a permanent basis.
Mark Busuttil
Jun 25th 2008, 18:00
It was an awesome experience landing and taking off from the Gozo heliport! The strip's length of 178 metres is adequate for microlight aircraft, as proven by today's operations.
Hopefully this will be a regular occurence in the coming months.