The legal definition of a microlight
Modern microlights essentially fall into two categories. The weightshift or flexwing type of aircraft has a trike unit suspended under a wing evolved from the hang glider. Control is by using the control bar to shift the weight of the trike (ie the combined mass of the pod, engine and occupants) relative to the wing. The 3-axis type of microlight on the other hand looks like, and some cases will outperform a traditional light aircraft. Both are covered by the basic definition:

"Microlight aeroplane means an aeroplane designed to carry not more than two persons which has:

What type of license do you need to fly a microlight?
There are two types. A Private Pilots Licence ‘A’ (Microlights Unrestricted) is a full licence. [Usually abbreviated to PPL(D)]. With this, a pilot may fly anywhere within the regulations. There is also a restricted licence; the lower level of experience required means that you may not carry a passenger and may not fly more than eight miles from the home airfield. Lower weather limits also apply to restricted licences. In practice, very few people bother with the restricted license.

Who is the legally responsible body?
In the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has overall responsibility for the administration of aviation law and regulations. However, in the case of microlighting they have devolved many of their responsibities to the BMAA, the governing body for the sport. This has greatly simplified many procedures and helped keep costs down.

What training is required to get a licence
To gain your Private Pilot's Licence ‘A’ (Microlights Unrestricted) you must complete a minimum of 25 hours training of which ten hours must be solo flying; this includes five hours navigation flying of which three must be solo. There is a General Flying Test (the GFT) to take and some exams, in preparation for which most schools provide ground school lectures. It is worth noting that in practice few students achieve their license in the minimum 25 hours, particularly if there are long gaps between lessons. It really does help if you fly regularly, as it minimises the amount of re-learning you'll have to do at the start of each lesson.

What exams do I have to take?

There are five exams which you need to pass to gain your licence:
• Air Law
• Navigation
• Meteorology
• Aeroplanes Technical
• Human Factors and Performance

What are the medical requirements?
The medical requirements are much more straightforward than those for heavier aircraft. You sign a declaration of fitness on a standard form and then simply have it countersigned by your own doctor. If you are fit enough to drive, you are probably fit enough to fly. If you have any condition which may make it unsafe for you to fly, you should discuss this with your doctor. If you are still uncertain you can contact a CAA medical examiner. Your GP may make a small charge for signing this form.

Can I make an income from Microlight flying?
Sadly not under UK law because a Microlight may not be used for commercial gain and must not be used to transport goods or passengers if money changes hands. The exception to this is where a qualified flying instructor is teaching a student to fly. One of the consequences of the above is that microlgihts cannot be hired in the same way as Group A aircraft. Some clubs get round this by forming large syndicates where the individual share purchase cost of the aircraft is very low and all other costs are covered by an hourly charge.