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What is a Microlight?
A microlight aeroplane is one designed with not more than two seats, and which has a Maximum Take-Off Mass (MTOM), not exceeding:
- 300kg for a single seat landplane
- 472.5 kg for a landplane, two-seater equipped with an airframe mounted total recovery parachute system
- 450kg for a two seat landplane
- 330kg for a single seat amphibian or floatplane
- 495kg for a two seat amphibian or floatplane
- 315kg for a land plane single-seater equipped with an airframe mounted total recovery parachute system
and for aeroplanes, having the stall speed or the minimum steady flight speed in landing configuration not exceeding 35 knots calibrated air speed (CAS).
Microlight Aeroplane Classes
Microlight aeroplanes come in three different types (referred to as "Classes") ;
(a) Three-axis microlights - these are controlled by conventional ailerons on the wings and elevators and a rudder at the tail;
(b) Weight-shift flexwing microlights - these have a delta shaped hang-glider type wing and are controlled by shifting the aeroplane's centre-of-gravity;
(c) Powered parachute microlights - these fly under a paraglider type canopy wing these have a shrouded propeller (i.e. a protective guard around the propeller which prevents it interfering with the lines attaching the paraglider canopy).
Some of the above microlight classes may be operated in seaplane or amphibian versions
Airworthiness Requirements - Maintenance and Maintenance Management
The National Microlight Association of Ireland Ltd. (NMAI) and the Irish Microlight Association (IMA) are approved by the Irish Aviation Authority to certify maintenance and make recommendations to the IAA for the issue of Flight Permits for microlights that meet the criteria of Annex II.
Maintenance may be certified by inspectors or pilots authorised by the NMAI, IMA or by other organisations in accordance with IAA AN A15.
Owners should make an application for a Flight Permit for their microlight through the NMAI or IMA. More information is available on Airworthiness Advisory Memorandum 05/11.
Visiting Ireland
It is IAA policy to allow foreign registered aircraft, without an EASA/ICAO Certificate of Airworthiness, operate in Ireland on a temporary basis. Flight Permits, or equivalent, are only valid for operations within the State of Registration. Microlights registered in the UK and France are welcome to visit Ireland for up to 28 days per visit without any additional airworthiness documentation. Details on this is available on IAA AN A19.
For longer stays, or for aircraft which do not meet the requirements of the notice, please submit a completed application form AWSD.F.138C to the IAA. For validation of a non-ICAO Pilot Licence/qualification which doesn't meet the criteria in IAA AN P21, please submit a completed application form RPPL.F.155A to the IAA.