FAQs

Need some more info?

At Microflight, we’ve done our best to create a website that anticipates and satisfies our customers’ needs. With that goal in mind, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions.

If you do not find an answer to your question here please contact us by telephone 01777 248767 or martin@microflight.co.uk

  • What are the medical requirements?

    A pilot may only fly microlights as Pilot In Command in the UK if they hold any valid medical certification. The NPPL medical certification can be by a Pilot Medical Declaration made on-line on the Civil Aviation Authority website. Pilots must use the CAA Customer Portal to access the CAA website. This link takes you to the Portal login page where you can create an Account. Once your account has been created and verified you can then follow the links supplied to apply for your Medical Declaration

  • Are Microlights safe?

    In a word yes. All Microlight aircraft have to be built by civil aviation authority (CAA) approved companies to rigorous airworthiness standards. Only safety checked and released materials can be used in their construction.

    Due to their light weight and low minimum speeds Microlight aircraft have very good forgiving characteristics.  Recent official statistics from the CAA showed that Microlight aircraft are the safest form of private aviation in the UK in terms of serious accidents divided into hours flown.

    However, any aircraft is only as safe as the pilot who flies it, therefore thorough training and a high degree of common sense are both vital in the making of a safe pilot.

     

  • Is it possible to fly in winter?

    Flying in the winter is more restrictive due to less daylight hours and adverse weather. However when the conditions are favourable it can be most enjoyable providing you wear the appropriate flying clothing.

  • What is the minimum age?

    For training to count towards a licence the minimum age is 14. Solo flights can be made from age 16, and the minimum age to hold a licence is 17.

     

  • Is there a weight limit?

    Weight depends on aircraft type, but in general the maximum body weight is 110 Kg.

  • Does the weather affect training?

    Unfortunately yes, fair weather is required especially during training where you will want to be concentrating on learning to control the aeroplane before having to deal with the techniques required for different types of weather. In general the conditions required for training are;

    • Wind speed no more than 13mph
    • Visibility greater than 5 Km in flight
    • Cloud base above 1000 feet
    • Preferably no rain, though it is quite possible to fly in light rain it is a very miserable experience in an open cockpit.

    In short the weather required for flight to be enjoyable and worthwhile for training is about the same as you would want for an enjoyable walk in the countryside.

  • I already hold a NPPL (SEP) or UK PPL (A) but now wish to be able to fly microlights. What do I have to do to validate my licence?

    Pass the Microlight Aeroplanes (Part 2) oral examination and do sufficient conversion training to enable you to pass the required NPPL (Microlight) GST. For further information on cross crediting and allowances on ratings follow this link.

  • How many hours each year do I need in order to keep my NPPL current?

    All NPPLs remain valid for the lifetime of the holder.

    1.  Holder of a licence with one class rating (SSEA or SLMG or Microlight):

    Complete on the class of aeroplanes held:

    (a)  within the period of validity of the rating have flown as pilot:

    • at least 12 hours flight time including 8 hours PIC.
    • at least 12 take-offs and landings.
    • at least 1 hour of flight training with an instructor.  If this flight time has not been completed, the rating will be endorsed ‘Single seat only’.Note. The Single Seat endorsement does not allow the holder to fly two-seat aircraft solo

    (b)  within the 12 months preceding the expiry date of the rating, have flown as pilot:

    • at least 6 hours flight time.

    2.  Holder of a licence with 2 or 3 ratings (SSEA/SLMG/Microlight):

    (a) within the period of validity of the rating on any of the classes of aeroplanes held, have flown as pilot:

    • at least a total of 12 hours including 8 hours PIC.
    • at least 12 take-offs and landings.
    • at least 1 hour of flight training with an instructor.  If this flight time has not been completed all ratings will be endorsed ‘Single seat only’.

    (b) within the 12 months preceding the expiry date of the ratings held have flown, as pilot on any of the class ratings held:

    • at least 6 hours flight time.

    (c)  within the period of validity of each class rating held, have flown as pilot:

    • at least 1 hour PIC on each class held;

    or

    • undertaken at least 1 hour of flying training on each class held with an instructor entitled to give instruction on aeroplanes of those classes.

    If (c) has not been fully completed, you will be required to renew the relevant Class Rating(s) by GST.

  • I hold a PPL (M) what are my re-validation requirements?

    The minimum flying required in preceding 13 months, completed during the validity of an existing Certificate of Experience or Test:

    5 hours experience as Pilot of an aircraft of the same class as the rating in the Licence within the existing validity period of the rating, including at least 3 hours as Pilot in Command up to 2 hours as dual flying instruction as PUT with a qualified flying instructor who has certified that he/she was fit to act as PIC. If more than 13 months have elapsed since the aircraft rating was issued or revalidated a Certificate of Experience may be issued provided that sufficient flying experience was gained during the preceding 13 months and it was within the validity period of the previous certificate.

  • My Certificate of experience has expired what can I do to revalidate?

    NPPL (M)

    1. Where the last certificate of revalidation has expired by up to 5 years, he/she will be required to complete the following:

    a) Pass the NPPL (M) GST conducted by a Microlight Examiner

    b) Hold a valid medical certificate: NPPL, JAR Class 1 or JAR Class 2

    2. Where the holder of a PPL(M) has not flown as PIC of an aircraft for 5 years or more, he/she will be required to complete the following:

    a) Pass the NPPL (M) GST conducted by a Microlight Examiner

    b) Pass the Aeroplane Technical Part 2 Oral exam conducted by a Microlight Examiner, the exam to include pilot maintenance and conditions of the Permit to Fly

    c) Hold a valid NPPL self declaration medical: or JAR Class 1 or JAR Class 2 certificate

    The Examiner should ensure the pilot’s eligibility prior to commencing the GST. The Examiner must ensure that if refresher training was required that it has been completed and endorsed in the pilot’s logbook by the relevant flying Instructor.

    Note. A revalidation of a NPPL Microlight Class rating by test completed during the validity period of the previous Certificate is valid for 24 months from the expiry date of the current certificate.

    Note. A revalidation of an expired NPPL Microlight Class rating by test is valid for 24 months from the from the end of the month of the test.

    UK PPL (M)

    1. Where the holder of a PPL (M) has not flown as PIC of an aircraft for up to a period of 5 years, he/she will be required to complete the following:

    a) Pass the PPL (M) GST conducted by a Microlight Examiner

    b) Hold a valid NPPL self declaration medical: or JAR Class 1 or JAR Class 2 certificate

    2. Where the holder of a PPL (M) has not flown as PIC of an aircraft for 5 or more, he/she will be required to complete the following:

    a) Undergo a course of training as specified by a Flight Instructor and pass the PPL (M) GST.

    b) Pass the Aeroplane Technical Part 2 Oral exam conducted by a Microlight Examiner, the exam to include pilot maintenance and conditions of the Permit to Fly.

    c) Hold a valid NPPL self declaration medical: or JAR Class 1 or JAR Class 2 certificate

    The Examiner should ensure the pilot’s eligibility prior to commencing the GST. The Examiner must ensure that if refresher training was required that it has been completed and endorsed in the pilot’s logbook by the relevant flying Instructor.

    Note. A revalidation of a UK PPL Microlight Class rating by test is in all cases valid for 13 months from the end of the month of the test.