How to obtain a Microlight Pilot's License  

The first step is to go for a demonstration flight. This can be done with any experienced microlight pilot or it can be done with a qualified instructor in which case there will be a fee charged and the demo flight may even form part of a first lesson. An indemnity form should always be signed.

Once the candidate has decided that he/she wants to learn to fly, an accredited microlight flying school must be found and lessons booked.

• Student pilot information and indemnity forms must be completed.
• An authorization sheet must be signed before and after each training flight.
• After each training flight the student's progress sheet must be updated.
• It is advisable for  the student to complete at least two or three lessons so that he/she is absolutely certain that they want to complete the
  training course.

Student Pilot License (SPL)

At this stage an Air law exam must be written and a student pilot license (SPL) applied for.  In order to obtain the SPL the student must be 17 years of age, be able to read, write and communicate in English, and have basic mathematics skills. A pilot's medical must be passed, and this, together with the required documentation, photographs and fees, must be submitted to the relevant authorities.

The prescribed flying syllabus must now be followed with sufficient dual instruction given to enable the student to reach the stage of his/her first solo flight.

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MICROLIGHT PILOT’S THEORY TRAINING SYLLABUS

 LECTURES ON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS.

a.    Aero-dynamics of a microlight.
b.    Air frames, engines and instruments of a microlight.
c.    Aviation law and documents for microlights.
d.    Radio procedures and safety for microlights.
e.    Navigation for microlights.
f.    Human performances and limitations.
g.    Exams and exam results.

Time: 20 hours

TOTAL THEORY TIME: 25 hours
THE ABOVE TIMES ARE GUIDELINES AND MAY BE EXTENDED OR SHORTENED.

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Requirements before first Solo

• Valid SPL.
• Exercises 1 - 14 and 22 of the flying syllabus must be satisfactorily completed.
• A pre-solo theory written exam must be passed.
• The student must show competency in radio transmission procedures.
• The student must obviously be flying competently and be psychologically prepared for a first solo flight.
• A minimum of 5 hours dual instruction must be completed.
• Regular post-solo flight dual instruction checkout flights must be flown and the flying instruction syllabus must
  be completed. 

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Medical Requirements

Validity Periods of Medicals

• For pilots under 40 years of age the medical is now valid for 5 years.
• For pilots over 40 years of age the medical is valid for 3 years.
• Commercial pilots (instructors) need a medical every year.

Cross Country Flights

During a student pilot's training, after three to four hours dual instruction, the first cross country flight should be carefully planned, and a flight log filled out. This cross country flight should be of a duration of not less than 90 minutes flown at normal cruising speed and should include one out landing.

When the student is flying safely on his/her own, i.e. after about 7 hours of solo flying, a solo cross country flight must be planned and flown, of approximately 90 minutes at normal cruising speed, and should include one out landing.

Particularly for the more advanced microlight pilots, a test cross country flight must be flown with an grade A or B instructor near the end of the student's training. The flight test report form makes provision for this test cross country.

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Examinations

A pre solo examination will have been written and passed before the student goes solo. When the student has flown about 10 hours solo he/she will be given the written examinations covering the following subjects:

• Principles Of Flight
• Aviation Air Law
• Aviation Navigation
• Aviation Meteorology
• Airframes & Engines
• Human performance limitations 

The radio license is not a requirement for going solo but must be completed before the final flight test.

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Skills Test

When the student has flown the required 15 hours of solo flying, a flight test must be conducted by an A
or B grade instructor who is not the same as the instructor who did the student's training.

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Restricted radio license

Every student must attend and pass the above radio license examination which is issued by the Post Office.
This license must accompany all the required documentation to the authorities in order to obtain a
Microlight pilot's Licence.

The radio license is not a requirement for going solo but must be completed before the final flight test.

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License Renewal

It is vital that every microlight pilot undergoes a flight test at least every two years. The validity of the pilot's license is linked to the period of validity of the pilot's medical and this depends on the age of the pilot.

Renewal flight tests must be completed every 2 years regardless of age.

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TRAINING

  The Semi-Circular Rule