31 March 2026
Staff and students at Cranfield University will design, build and fly their own aircraft as part of a new initiative with the British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA).
The project, announced on 24 March 2026, will see the creation of a Cranfield University Flight Club, with participants constructing a 600kg Flylight Skyranger Nynja 912ULS microlight. Work is due to begin in April at the university’s Sir Peter Gregson Aerospace Integration and Research Centre, with the build expected to take around 18 months.
The initiative forms part of the BMAA’s ‘New Horizons’ programme, which aims to provide hands-on aviation experience to students. In addition to building the aircraft, participants will have opportunities to gain flight experience and incorporate the project into their academic research.
The aircraft will be inspected during construction by Professor Guy Gratton of Cranfield and Paul Dewhurst of Flylight Airsports. Paul is also a senior BMAA inspector. Once complete, the aircraft will be flight tested from Cranfield Airport.
The concept behind the Flight Club is inspired by Germany’s Akaflieg model — student-led academic flight groups that design, build and test aircraft — offering practical experience in aircraft development, maintenance and testing.
Professor Gratton said the project highlights Cranfield’s unique capabilities, combining engineering expertise, research opportunities and on-site flight testing. Meanwhile, Professor Dame Helen Atkinson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Engineering and Applied Sciences, described the initiative as “an amazing opportunity” for students to work on a real aircraft.
BMAA Chief Executive Owain Johns said the partnership expands the reach of the New Horizons programme beyond schools and air cadets, opening opportunities to university-level learners and helping to inspire future engineers and pilots.
