SAFA Skysailor Magazine

12 SKY SAILOR November | December 2019 H is company, fittingly called ‘Birds- Eye View’, is the first Microlight operator to be licensed by CASA to use microlights for commercial aerial spotting that assists local tourism operators as well as scientific research. Hundreds of tourists who flock to this pristine stretch of coastline in WA, are offered a rare and exciting vantage point from Gavin’s microlights – being able to soar sky high as they marvel at the whaleshark and humpback whales, as well as being able to take in the spectacular sights of the world’s longest fringing coral reef. Gavin gives us an insight into this unique tourist operation and the need to encourage new trike pilots into the industry. What do you love about microlights and are they growing in popularity? The microlight is one of the most amazing aircraft ever created. It mixes the sensations of hang gliding while also having the same capabilities as a small Cessna. You won’t see a passenger buzzing after a flight in any other aircraft like they do after flying in a microlight. Microlights are just so much fun to fly, and the view is simply breathtaking. A microlight, the best vantage point to view the iconic Ningaloo Reef For 11 years, Chief Flight Instructor and microlight pilot, Gavin Penfold, has been offering tourists a bird’s eye view of the renowned and world-heritage listed Ningaloo Reef – a popular tourist hot spot in WA. All photos: Gavin Penfold