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What is a Microlight Aircraft?

History
The very first microlight aircraft appeared in the 1970's during the hang glider movement. This simple aircraft, really no more than a powered hang glider, provided the answer for the flying enthusiast who longed for the opportunity to fly yet often couldn't afford the expense of a conventional airplane.

Early versions of the microlight aircraft consisted of a motor added to a foot-launched hang glider. Control was managed with a combination of weight shift for adjusting the pitch and separate tip rudders for managing the roll and yaw. Together, the weight shift and tip rudders were used as air brakes. Because many pilots were not able to run fast enough to achieve take-off, tricycle gear was added. In an effort to correct pitch stability issues, a horizontal stabilizer and elevator was added. Later versions replaced the tip rudders with a tail-mounted rudder.

By definition, a microlight aircraft is a lightweight airplane for one or two people. Some countries make a distinction between the 3-axis aircraft and the weight-shift microlight, which is sometimes called a "trike", calling the former an "ultralight" and the latter a "microlight". (When we use the term microlights or ultralights on Microlight Aircraft Enthusiast the terms are used synonymously.)

Types of Microlight Aircraft
There are several types of aircraft which qualify as microlights/ultralights, though some do not have fixed-wing designs.

Three-Axis Aicraft
The three-axis aircraft is the ultralight/microlight aircraft that looks the most like an airplane. The direction of the flight is managed by conventional three-axis controls including the stick, ailerons and rudders. The Quicksilver Ultralight is, by far, the most commonly used 3-axis ultralight training aircraft in America.

Weight-Shift Trike
Weight-shift trikes feature a hang glider-style wing under which is suspended a three wheeled carriage, engine and aviators. The control of this type of aircraft is managed with a horizontal control bar that is suspended in front of the pilot. Trikes are considered easy to fly because they are controlled by the pilot moving his weight relative to the wing but they are generally slower than three-axis aircraft.

Powered Parachute
Powered parachutes (or motorized parachutes) are microlight aircraft with cart mounted engines and parafoil wings. Typical airspeed for this type of microlight is about 25-35 mph (40-60 km/h). They are considered by many pilots to be safer than fixed-wing aircraft because of their inherent stability, stall resistance, and limited response to control inputs.

Powered Paragliding
Powered paragliding (or paramotoring) is a microlight/ultralight aircraft that requires the pilot to wear the motor on his/her back. The wing is an adapted paraglider or paramotor wing. This type of aircraft can be launched from level ground without assistance.

Powered Hang Glider
Powered hang glider (or foot-launched powered hang glider) is a powered hang glider harness with a propeller. In good weather, a powered hang glider can expect to achieve airspeeds of up to 45 mph (70km/h).

Autogyro
The Autogyro or gyrocopter is a microlight/ultralight aircraft that uses an unpowered rotor in autorotation to develop lift and a powered propeller to provide thrust.

Helicopter
There are several single-seat and two-seat microlight/ultralight helicopters in countries such as New Zealand. One of the few designs that meet the more restrictive definition for ultralight aircraft in the United States is the Mosquito Air from Mosquito Aviation, Ltd.

Hot Air Balloon
Hot air balloons are grouped in two classes: 1) traditional hot air balloons 2) hopper balloons. Traditional hot air balloons place the passengers in a basket that is suspended from the bottom of the balloon. In the hopper balloon, the pilot typically sits in a seat or harness and is suspended from the balloon.

Definition of Microlight/Ultralight Aircraft by Country
Requirements, when they are defined for microlight/ultralight aircraft, vary by country. In countries where no specific regulations are established, microlights/ultralights are considered regular aircraft and are subject to certification requirements for both the aircraft and the pilot.

Australia
Even though Microlight aircraft fall into several categories, common requirements include:

• A maximum take off weight of 544 kg (1,199 lb) or 614 kg (1,354 lb) for a seaplane
• A stalling speed under 45 knots in a landing configuration
• A maximum of two seats

Brazil
Brazilian aviation regulations define an ultralight/microlight aircraft as a very light manned experimental aircraft for sport or recreation during daylight hours, for a maximum of two people. Requirements include:

• Single internal combustion engine and one propeller
• Maximum take-off weight equal to or less than 1,653 lb (750 kg)
• Calibrated stall speed (CAS), power off, in landing configuration (Vso) equal or less than 83 km/h (45 kn)

Canada
Canadian aviation regulations define two types of ultralight/microlight aircraft including the basic ultralight airplanes (BULA) and advanced ultralight airplanes (AULA).

• Advanced ultralight airplanes may operate at a controlled airport without prior arrangement.
• Both classes of ultralight/microlight aircraft require operators to complete ground school, dual flight and solo supervised flights.
• Both classes of ultralight/microlight aircraft may be operated from land or water.
• Microlight/ultralight operators may carry a passenger only if the pilot acquires an ultralight airplane passenger carrying rating and the aircraft qualifies as an advanced ultralight airplane.

Europe
The Joint Aviation Authorities (JAR) define an ultralight/microlight as an aircraft with no more than two seats. The requirements include:

• A maximum stall speed of 35 knots (65 km/h)
• A maximum take-off mass of no more than 661 lb (300 kg) for a single seat landplane or 728 lb (330 kg) for an amphibian or floatplane
• A maximum take-off mass of no more than 992 lb (450 kg) for a single seat landplane or 1,091 lb (495 kg) for a two seat amphibian or floatplane (Must fall below MTOM limits)

India
India currently requires ultralight/microlight aircraft to be registered, requests that aircraft be periodically evaluated for condition, and a permit to fly be renewed annually. Microlight aircraft, as defined in India, must have the following characteristics:

• An aircraft with one or two seats
• Two seat aircraft must weigh less than 992 lb (450 kg) without parachute and 1,041 lb (472 kg) with parachute
• A stall speed of less than 80 km/h (43 kn)
• A maximum level speed of less than 220 km/h (119 kn)
• A single engine aircraft with reciprocating, rotary or diesel engine
• A fixed or ground adjustable propeller
• An un-pressurized cabin
• A wing area that does not exceed 10 square meters
• A fixed landing gear (excluding aircraft that operates as glider or on water)

Italy
In Italy, ultralight/microlight aircraft requirements include:

• Flying with a helmet
• Single-seat aircraft may not exceed a maximum weight of 661 lb (300 kg) and 728 lb (330 kg) for amphibious planes, and a stall speed must not exceed 65 km/h (35 kn)
• Two-seat aircraft must not exceed a maximum weight of 450 kg (992 lb) and 500 kg (1,102 lb) for amphibious planes and a stall speed must not exceed 65 km/h (35 kn). Two-seat aircraft may be used for instruction purposes or flown by licensed pilots with at least 30 hours flight time
• Aircraft is forbidden to fly over cities
• Aircraft must bear an identification number issued by the AeCI (Aero Club Italia).
• Aircraft may be flown from dawn till sunset
• Aircraft must be flown below 500 ft (152 m)
• The operation of an ultralight/microlight aircraft requires a certificate, insurance and medical examination

New Zealand
In New Zealand, ultralight/microlight aircraft are subject to NZCAA General Aviation regulations. They are separated into two classes: single-seat and two-seat aircraft. All ultralights/microlights are required to be endurance tested and include a minimum set of instruments.

Single Seat Aircraft (NZ Class 1)

• Single-seat aircraft may not exceed a maximum weight of 1,199 lb (544 kg) for land planes or 1,276 lb ( 579 kg) for amphibians
• Must have a stall speed in the landing configuration of 45 knots (83 km/h) or less
• Aircraft must be registered and is subject to annual inspections
• No permit is required

Two Seat Aircraft (NZ Class 2)

• Single-seat aircraft may not exceed a maximum weight of 1,199 lb (544 kg) for land planes or 1,354 lb (614 kg) for amphibians
• Must have a stall speed in the landing configuration of 45 knots (83 km/h) or less
• Aircraft must be registered and is subject to annual inspections
• A permit is required

Philippines
The Philippines Civil Aviation Regulations indicate that ultralight/microlight aircraft are not required to maintain a certificate and are intended for recreational use.

United Kingdom
In the UK, ultralight/microlight regulations define a microlight aircraft as a one or two place vehicle. There are currently no airworthiness requirements or annual inspections for ultralight/microlight aircraft, though pilots are required to maintain a license.

• Single-seat aircraft may not exceed a maximum weight of 661 lb (300 kg) for a land plane or 728 lb (330 kg) for a single seat amphibian/float plane
• Two-seat aircraft may not exceed a maximum weight of 450 kg (992 lb) or 495 kg (1,091 lb) for an amphibian/float plane

United States
The FAA's definition of an ultralight/microlight is significantly different from that of most countries. Requirements include:

• Intended for operation in the air by a single occupant.
• A microlight/ultralight aircraft shall be used for recreation and sport purposes only.
• A microlight aircraft is not required to have a USA or foreign airworthiness certificate.
• A microlight aircraft must weigh less than 254 pounds (115 kg) excluding floats and safety devices.
• Maximum fuel shall not exceed 5 gallons (19 L).
• May not be capable of exceeding 102 km/h or 64 mph calibrated airspeed (55 knots) at full power in level flight and stall power which does not exceed 45 km/h or 27.6 mph calibrated airspeed (24 knots).

The two place training ultralight/microlight airplanes fall under slightly different guidelines.

• A two place microlight training aircraft must weigh less than 496 pounds excluding floats and safety devices.
• The maximum fuel shall not exceed 10 gallons.
• A microlight training aircraft may not be capable of exceeding 86 mph (75 knots) calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight and stall power which does not exceed 40mph (35 knots) calibrated airspeed.
• A two place microlight training aircraft must display a sign: "To be used for instruction only."