The Algarve Airsports Centre is situated five minutes outside the quaint and bustling coastal resort town of Lagos on the Algarve and is home to the local aeroclub as well as the microlight flight training facility.

It offers students the opportunity to fly in one of the most stable weather regions of Europe, so flight training can progress without the usual frustrations and delays associated with learning to fly in the UK. This allows for maximum utilisation of your time and ultimately, less expenditure, as students progress quickly with each lesson building steadily on the last.

The facilities include a 550m tarmac runway oriented into the prevailing sea breezes, a radio tower, briefing rooms and bar, as well as a dedicated aircraft hangar.

It makes an ideal facility for a full time Microlight NPPL course, or with the beautiful beaches and coastal resorts of the Algarve on the doorstep, a more relaxed pace flying holiday.

The Algarve Airsports centre was founded by Gerry Breen, something of a legend in the Hang Gliding and Microlight world.

He began his aviation career while serving his engineering apprenticeship with the Royal Air Force when he became a Gliding Instructor at the prestigious RAFGSA Centre at just 17 years of age.

He went on to pioneer the sport of Hang Gliding and, sponsored by the RAF, achieved many 'firsts' including being the first to hang Glide from the summit of Ben Nevis with Sqd Ldr Dave Willis, as well as holding both the British and European duration records several times. With his late great friend Kevin Wilson he was also the first to Hang Glide from the summit of Angel Falls.

He went on to set up the Welsh Hang Gliding Centres at Crickhowell and Ruthin, which became Britain's largest and most successful schools before introducing the use of what were then called 'Powered Hang Gliders ' into the UK in 1976.

By 1978 Gerry had doubled the World non stop distance record for a powered Hang Glider. Other firsts in this new form of aviation include landing a microlight in the centre of Paris during the first ever London to Paris Microlight Air Race in 1982 and the first person to fly a microlight over Tower bridge in 1984.

Gerry also owned the first UK registered 'microlight'  G-BGNL. In fact, Gerry is credited with coining the term 'microlight' and through his work popularising the sport at Enstone's Breen Aviation microlight centre, became widely regarded as the 'father of microlight aviation'..

He set up the Algarve Airsports Centre in 1985 and is a CAA Panel Examiner, Flying Instructor Examiner and BMAA and LAA Inspector.

He is undoubtedly one of the world's most experienced and accomplished Microlight Pilots.  

The Algarve Airsports Centre is run by a small but dedicated team of full time staff with a passion for sport aviation and who help make the centre the great place to visit and fly from that it is.

Phil Gilbert is the General Manager and main, full time instructor.  

On offer at the centre is a choice of both three axis and weightshift microlight aircraft, ranging from the Modern Alpi Pioneer, which can also be operated under Group A regulations, to the more conventional, rugged X-Air Microlight and the modern Quantum Pegasus.

The Alpi Pioneer is a low wing, side by side seat dual controlled mono-plane. It has been designed with the student pilot in mind with a forgiving but lively performance that outshines many traditional Group A machines. It has light, responsive controls and is powered by the modern and reliable Rotax 912 engine, developing 80 HP. This allows for excellent short field and climb performance and a cruise speed of more than 100 mph.

The X-Air microlight is a high wing, side by side seat, dual controlled 3 - axis microlight. It is a rugged and forgiving aircraft and ideal as a machine in which to build solo experience or to operate from short, unprepared strips. It is of an aluminium alloy tube structure, making it very strong and lightweight and is covered with a tough and durable polyester fabric. The engine is a boom mounted Rotax 912, as with the Alpi Pioneer. With this rugged and reliable engine generating 80 HP, the X-Air has a take off run of less than 300m.

The Quantum Pegasus is one of the most popular weight shift microlight aircraft available today and for good reason. It is easy to fly, has forgiving handling characteristics, yet offers fast cruise speeds and high rates of climb. The Quantum exceeds the requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority's BCAR Section S, the toughest microlight certification programme in the world. The 600+ Quantums sold so far have been flight tested in some of the most extreme conditions and have returned an outstanding safety record – a comforting thought when you take to the air.

Each of the aircraft are maintained to a very high standard on site and comply with both UK and Portuguese regulations.

Lagos aerodrome, where the Airsports centre is based, is just 2 km from the town, with its lovely beaches, Marina and colourful winding streets.

Lagos itself is an historic seafaring town that was the capital of the Algarve from 1578 to 1756 and much of its fortified walls remain intact. Today, it is a relaxed and youthful coastal resort town, with a traditional Portuguese feel and a pleasant blend of shops, bars, restaurants and cultural centers. There is a wealth of local activities for the visiting tourist including: scuba diving, dolphin boat trips, sailing, Golf, or just relaxing on the beach.

portugal-info.net/algarve/lagos.htm

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It is less than an hour's drive from Faro international Airport with cheap and easy flights from most UK regional airports and an excellent range of car hire options at the airport. Best of all, there is no jet lag! 

Accommodation is available minutes from the airport and is of a high standard, ranging from two bed self catering apartments to full blown 4 bed luxury Villas suitable for a large family or group and with a private pool.

Lovely Farm / Ranch style Accommodation is also available in the quieter and rural Vila do Bispo area, 30 minutes or so west of Lagos. 

www.viladobispouncovered.com/

All properties include crockery, cooking and eating utensils, water, gas and electricity, towels, linen and a weekly cleaning service.

Please advise when booking if you would like to utilise the accommodation on offer.