As part of the 600 Kg working group the BMAA proposed the following way forward for pilot licences and instructor and examiner qualifications. We hope that these proposals will be adopted in the event that the 600 Kg consultation will result in a UK Opt-Out and the aircraft will be called microlights.

Proposed pilot licensing arrangements following the change to the UK microlight definition to increase the MTOM to 600 Kg with a stall speed in landing configuration not exceeding 45 Knots. This proposal depends upon the premise that existing aircraft types that are not Microlights now will remain in their current Class after the change in regulation. That is, they will not be reclassified as Microlights.

Microlight Class Ratings issued post-implementation

All new issued NPPL Microlight Class Ratings to be valid for Microlights meeting the new definition.

·         The 2019 NPPL M Syllabus review took into account the possible change and the existing syllabus was amended to suit.

Microlight Class Ratings issued pre-implementation

To fly a two seat Microlight landplane with a MTOM in excess of 472.5Kg undertake differences training with an instructor qualified to conduct flight instruction in such an aircraft.

·         Differences training to be at the discretion of the instructor and may comprise of a ground briefing without flight training, or a ground briefing with flight training. The differences training to be signed off as completed in the pilot’s licence.

SEP Class Rating holders

To fly a Microlight holders of a licence with a valid SEP Class Rating are currently required to undertake Microlight differences training with an instructor qualified to conduct flight instruction in such an aircraft. This requirement will not be changed.

NPPL SSEA Class Rating holders.

The current position is that the holder of a NPPL SSEA Class Rating is not entitled to fly microlights. The holder must add a Microlight Class Rating to the NPPL in order to be entitled to fly microlights.

Propose a change so that to fly a Microlight holders of a valid NPPL with an SSEA Class Rating only be required to undertake Microlight differences training with an instructor qualified to conduct flight instruction in such an aircraft.

Instructors

All current microlight Flight Instructors continue to be entitled to instruct in microlights with a MTOM up to 472.5 Kg.

All current microlight Flight Instructors with a licence that entitles them to fly aircraft with a MTOM up to 600 Kg (SSEA or SEP) shall be entitled to give flight instruction in microlights with a MTOM of up to 600 Kg.

All current microlight Flight Instructors without a licence that entitles them to fly aircraft with up to 600 Kg MTOM to undertake differences training with an instructor so entitled so that they may give Flight Instruction on Microlights with a MTOM of up to 600 Kg.

All FIC Courses to be conducted to allow the FI(R) to give Flight Instruction in Microlight aircraft with a MTOM of up to 600 Kg.

Flight Examiners

All current microlight Flight Examiners continue to be entitled to examine in microlights with a MTOM up to 472.5 Kg.

All current microlight Flight Examiners with a licence that entitles them to fly aircraft with a MTOM up to 600 Kg (SSEA or SEP) shall be entitled to examine in microlights with a MTOM of up to 600 Kg.

All current microlight Flight Instructors without a licence that entitles them to fly aircraft with up to 600 Kg MTOM to undertake differences training with an examiner so entitled so that they may examine in Microlights with a MTOM of up to 600 Kg.