Looking for instructor with Italian microlight licence (tailwheel rating) in UK

[Sam Rutherford]

Subject has it really, also in Belgium...?

An instructor with an Italian licence and tailwheel endorsement - living in the UK or Belgium - random? I think so!

[Genghis the Engineer]

Would an EASA instructor with UK microlight rating and tailwheel do?

[Sam Rutherford]

Hi G,

Can you sign off a tailwheel endorsement in an Italian registered Avid 4?

[Genghis the Engineer]

I honestly don't know as I've never asked the Italians. But I certainly could with a UK registered Avid. I suspect that it would probably be pragmatic to drop a note to the Italian NAA to confirm that, and the odds are that they'll say yes if asked in the right way.

Do you want to take this offline (boffin at engineer dot com will reach me) and we can look into the legalities without putting anybody's private information on a public forum.

[patowalker]

Speak to Domenico, he may not have an Italian microlight instructor rating, but might know someone who does.
VoliAmo Flying School - Sussex Microlight

[Jan Olieslagers]

Does Italy really define a "tailwheel endorsement" for ultralights?

[Genghis the Engineer]

Whilst we don't here in the UK, given that throughout Europe tailwheel sign-off is required for light aircraft, it doesn't actually seem unreasonable to mandate it for microlights.

[Jan Olieslagers]

That sounds reasonable indeed. But at least here in BE - where ultralight regulations are less relaxed than in the South - I can even fly a trike and a powered parachute on my ULM license, though I have no idea how they work. Nor would I try. But what would anybody care about tail- or nosewheel? Self-regulation / self-discipline was always the spirit of ultralight flying!

[Genghis the Engineer]

In some countries anyhow!

In the UK we mandated 3-axis/flexwing differences a few years ago, but other than that yes, everything else has been on your own judgement. Ultimately, it's in the nature of microlight flying that every country does their own thing.

But certainly in the UK, a light aircraft instructor who has microlight currency, can teach when they are qualified to fly themselves on a microlight. And learning to fly a tailwheel with a tailwheel grownup, is very sensible, whether legally required or not.

[Jan Olieslagers]

I agree with all that, @GtE, but it has little to do with Sam's request: he is after a signature (by a qualified person) to a tailwheel endorsement. I feel quite sure that such an endorsement does not exist, for an Italian ultralight license (though it would be nice to see this confirmed) so that his quest is moot. Training cannot be his point, I know him for an able pilot and he can handle a tailwheel, as he used to fly a Maule, and probably still does.

[Sam Rutherford]

Hi Jan (!),

Interesting point - I also actually now think that such a thing doesn't exist... Making my query (somewhat, but not entirely) moot.

My question is for my daughter, who is learning tricycle but our microlight is tailwheel. So, whilst she will be legal to jump in it and go - that's not a great idea. I'm not an instructor - so not the right person to teach her the differences!

[Jan Olieslagers]

Ah, ok, Sam, that explains things. Well, there's plenty of able tailwheel ultralight instructors near you, and I know several who won't even look at the registration! PM me if required.

[patowalker]

I have found no mention of a tailwheel endorsement in the Italian microlight regulations.

http://www.aeci.it/wp-content/upload...glio-20151.pdf

[Sam Rutherford]

Thanks - so apologies, though will be following up on the instructor pointers as even if not legally required, it just 'makes sense'.

As an aside to the same subject, can you fly a UK registered microlight with a French microlight licence? Or vice-versa.

For example, you are legal to fly an Italian machine with a French licence, as a specific reciprocal agreement.

So, UK-France - are we friends?

[patowalker]

The short answer is no. However, the CAA assessed my logbook and French ULM licence and granted me a UK microlight licence on passing the Air Law and Human Limitations exams and the GST, which I did in a single seat Chaser.

[blueandwhite]

Originally Posted by Genghis the Engineer

Whilst we don't here in the UK, given that throughout Europe tailwheel sign-off is required for light aircraft, it doesn't actually seem unreasonable to mandate it for microlights.

Unless you think that legislation/rules etc should be based on something more reasonable than "it doesn't actually seem unreasonable".

It would be nice to think there was some evidence of a reasonable benefit to the pilot. Unless of course you think the instructors making money out of it is in itself sufficient justification. It seems to be the only benefit of the current requirement of an hour with an instructor every 2 years.

[aerolearner]

Originally Posted by patowalker

I have found no mention of a tailwheel endorsement in the Italian microlight regulations.

http://www.aeci.it/wp-content/upload...glio-20151.pdf

Going by its title, this regulation applies only to ULM without engine, i.e. hang gliders, paragliders and ULM gliders.

[patowalker]

Sorry. This is what I skim read and meant to link.

http://www.aeci.it/wp-content/upload...DS-VM-2013.pdf

[Genghis the Engineer]

As an aside to the same subject, can you fly a UK registered microlight with a French microlight licence? Or vice-versa.

No - the two systems are completely different in vision and origin, and neither are subject to either ICAO or EASA oversight. So, basically you're starting from scratch in either country. That said, both countries have reasonable traditions of pragmatism in trying to get foreign licenced pilots to a point of being locally licenced, with minimal pain.

I *think* that you can fly a microlight in either country on an EASA licence, subject to some conditions (in the UK that's "microlight differences training", I am less sure about France).

[patowalker]

I *think* that you can fly a microlight in either country on an EASA licence, subject to some conditions (in the UK that's "microlight differences training", I am less sure about France).

Not in France.

Les équivalences
Depuis l’arrêté du 4 mai 2000, il n'y a plus d'équivalence.
Si vous êtes titulaire d'un brevet de pilote avion, d'hélicoptère, de planeur ou de ballon libre, ou encore d'une licence étrangère, vous êtes uniquement dispensé du certificat d'aptitude théorique commun ULM.
Il convient de passer la partie théorique spécifique à la classe d'ULM choisie et la pratique auprès d'un instructeur.

https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affic...XT000000401045