TWO microlight fanatics are getting ready to go up, up and away - down under.

Sgt Dave Seath and Sqn Ldr Phil Vizoso, who are stationed at RAF Benson, will be flying the motorised machines on a 3,000-mile expedition around New Zealand, as part of their training.

They make up part of two five-man teams of RAF staff from all over the country and will have vehicle support carrying tents and food.

"It's quite a challenging task but flying them is good fun," said Sq Ldr Vizoso, 46, who will take part in the first two-week-long part of the expedition, which involves flying round the north island from March 28.

"Microlights are very solid and they respond well. The engine does not generally stop but we do have to plan for the fact that it could stop!".

Sgt Seath, 36, is taking part in the second two-week-long part of the trip around the south island, which starts on April 9.

Sgt Seath, who won the Novice Class of the British National Microlight Championship in 1996, said: "We chose New Zealand because it will allow us to fly over many different landscapes in a country not much larger than the UK."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.