What is a Microlight Aircraft?
The Types
There are two main types of microlight:
Flexwing (Weight-shift) type
Consists of a delta wing similar to a hang glider with a ‘trike’ unit suspended underneath it.
3-Axis (or Fixed-wing) type
These look more like a conventional aircraft.
Whatever their size or shape all Microlights are designed to be fun to fly and relatively inexpensive to operate.
The British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA)
The BMAA works for its members, providing services and issuing both licences and permits to fly directly from their offices. They also actively engage with regulators and government to ensure proportionate regulations and clear access to airspace for all microlight pilots.
They have put together the below video which provides a really useful overview of microlighting. Alternatively, you can find out more by going to www.bmaa.org.
CURRENT UK DEFINITIONS
From 19th August 2021 – Air Navigation Order Update (600kg – LIGHT SPORT MICROLIGHTS)
A UK Microlight Aeroplane is one designed to carry not more than two persons which has a Maximum Total Weight Authorised (MTWA) not exceeding:
600 kg for a single seat and two seat landplane.
650 kg for a single seat and two seat amphibian or floatplane.
Stalling speed at the maximum weight authorised not exceeding 45 knots (Calibrated Airspeed).
Designs certified prior to 19th August 2021
450 kg for a two seat landplane
472.5 kg for a two-seat landplane equipped with an airframe mounted total recovery parachute system.
Stalling speed at the maximum weight authorised not exceeding 35 knots (Calibrated Airspeed).
300 kg for a single seat landplane (Single Seat De-Regulated -SSDR).
315 kg for a single seat landplane equipped with an airframe mounted total recovery parachute system.
What are the advantages of this formula over conventional aircraft?
Economy of operation and purchase.
Easily transportable and some types can be rigged and ready to fly in under 30 minutes.
They can be flown safely from small fields.
Maintenance is simple and can be done by the owner.