VDS / VM

VDS/VM Microlight Certificate

VDS — Volo da Diporto Sportivo, the Italian microlight category — is the newest discipline to join Aero Club Belluno, and in recent years it is the one that has grown the most. The certificate allows you to fly aircraft with a take-off weight of no more than 450 kg: machines that are technically simpler than general aviation aeroplanes, and therefore cheaper to run.

VDS school no. 149-AECI — recognised by the Aero Club d'Italia for the issue of microlight certificates.

Simple does not mean dangerous: as the discipline has established itself, the building of these aircraft has moved on from the amateur standard of the early years to industrial production, with high standards of design and safety. VDS has also flourished thanks to the many airstrips and flying fields that have sprung up in every region of Italy, letting enthusiasts meet up while flying over the scenery this country has in abundance.

Requirements

• Being at least 16 years old; minors need the consent of both parents.
• A clearance from the Questura, the Italian police headquarters, for sport and recreational flying.
• A medical examination of physical and mental fitness at one of the facilities laid down by Presidential Decree 133/2010.
• An application to join the school.

The theory

At least 36 hours of lessons across eight subjects: aerodynamics, meteorology, the technology and performance of VDS aircraft, flying technique, take-off and landing technique, operations and emergency landings, rules of the air and safety, and the principles of aviation law.

The flying

At least 16 hours of dual instruction with a certified instructor. The student learns to carry out every phase of the flight safely, from the pre-flight checks to shutdown, and works through the required training on unusual attitudes, slow flight and simulated emergencies, until reaching the standard needed to fly solo.

The school flies the 100 HP Tecnam P92E: an Italian high-wing microlight with a fixed tricycle undercarriage, and excellent handling and safety qualities.

The examination

You go to the test after completing the school’s theory and flying syllabus under the AeCI regulations, with every flight recorded on training sheets signed by the instructor. The school puts you forward for the test and notifies AeCI of the session at least 15 days in advance; the examiner is appointed by AeCI for both parts.

The theory is a multiple-choice paper, sat in an authorised session. The practical is a flight test including at least one complete circuit as pilot flying.

What it allows you to do

To fly as pilot in command of powered VDS aircraft, by day under VFR, for recreational and sporting purposes, in accordance with the rules of the air and the applicable procedures.

After the certificate

• Passenger rating — to carry another person on board a two-seater. It requires the basic certificate, at least 30 hours as pilot in command, a specific course (normally 3–5 hours with an instructor) and a flight test.
• Radiotelephony — a module following the AeCI syllabus, for correct radio communication.
• Advanced VDS — allows you to fly in controlled airspace, to land at airports open to general traffic and to go above the altitude limits of basic VDS, with flying much like general aviation. It requires 8–12 hours of theory on the rules of the air, flight planning, the AIP, meteorology and airspace, and at least 5 hours of flying with an advanced instructor, including landings at controlled airports. You need a current basic certificate, the passenger rating held for at least one year, and the radiotelephony certificate.
• Mountain flying — the mountain flying training can also be followed with a VDS certificate, on the aircraft made available by the VDS School. The mountains you can see from the apron are within reach: see the mountain flying page.

Who will teach you

The VDS school is headed by Luca Bonon. The instructors are Luca Bonon, Massimiliano Balbinot and Roberto Sardo.

If you want to find out just how good flying a microlight can be, come and see us: you will walk into a welcoming, lively place, full of enthusiasm, where nobody is ever bored.