The Renegade Spirit of Sandy Microlights
G-MYUF (PFA 188-12795) was built and put on the UK Register in 1998. At that time Microlights were limited to a maximum AUW of 915lbs and this lightweight design from Murphy Aircraft with the lightest weight Poly Fiber covering fitted the bill nicely. It is powered by a Jabiru 2200A engine delivering 80HP.
In 2015 my friend Brian bought the aircraft and hangared it at Sandy, Bedfordshire and it became the “best 3-axis microlight” at the club (CFI’s description not mine). Soon after I arrived on scene, I gained my microlight type rating and started looking for an affordable aircraft to fly whilst hiring.
In 2018 Brian was looking at other ownership opportunities and offered me a half share in his Renegade which I snapped up. I had previously co-owned a Luscombe Silvair of 1947 vintage so my reconversion to a taildragger was quickly achieved. Sandy Airfield has trees at both ends of its main 350yd grass strip. So with that big Renegade nose and zero forward visibility my instructor introduced me to curved approaches and I have not done a straight in approach since!
The great pity is that in the UK the Renegade was not type approved for Aerobatics but is still a fun aircraft to fly with its superb handling. Straight and level is boring but that is just as well because you cannot see any of your planned waypoints with those wings and the nose getting in the way — unless you are off course.
In 2020 we fitted a removable windscreen to the rear cockpit because I was feeling the cold in winter and to be fair it is more comfortable all year round.
In December 2022 I finally achieved something I always wanted to do in 45 years of grass strip flying. That is flying over a snow covered landscape in my own light aircraft. We had a 2 inch covering of snow one night and perfect weather the next day. The runway was useable if a bit “draggy”. The windscreen proved its worth and my mobile phone wasn’t blown overboard whilst taking pictures.
The aircraft has now flown 660hrs so there should be more life in the old girl yet!
Thank you Murphy Aircraft for giving me so much pleasure during my retirement.
Steve Greasley is a member of the Light Aircraft Association (LAA 020016) and he can be contacted at stevegrsly19@gmail.com
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