Helpie FAQ

  • 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.