23 May 2007
The BMAA (British Microlight Aircraft Association) today received its first notification of a deregulated microlight.
Deregulation of microlights, which came in at the end of April on an exemption from the CAA, means that single-seat microlight aircraft of less than 115kg empty weight and maximum wing loading (without pilot and fuel) of 10kg/sq m no longer need to have a Permit to Fly. Although deregulated aircraft have to be registered (and carry registration
markings), be flown by a qualified microlight pilot, carry third party insurance and meet existing noise levels they do not have to have an airworthiness certificate.
However, the BMAA is keen to maintain as complete a database as possible of the aircraft which are flying under the deregulation exemption, so has asked that pilots notify them of any aircraft which is flying under the deregulated rules. Many of these aircraft will become deregulated as their existing Permit to Fly expires, and that’s likely when the BMAA will be notified.
The BMAA believes that there may be hundreds of aircraft in the UK which would be eligible for deregulation, mainly lighter flexwing types. It also hopes, though, that deregulation will open the way for new types which can be developed more cheaply without the need for the certification process. In particular, it is anticipated that there will
be a big leap in the number of powered parachutes.
