Hi Rod1,
As you say - especially with the NPPL - there is, in many way, no real advantage in having a microlight version of many of these three-axis aircraft. The NPPL allows you a microlight-type cheap medical and light aircraft style loadings.
There are changes to the NPPL coming in - the regulatory impact assessment input time ends on April 2nd - which would allow any hours on one type of NPPL to count to reval another. Ie Microlight, Self-launched motor glider and Simple single engined aircraft.
However, none of these hours would really count towards a real JAR light aircraft licence! But they are just as fun.
And operating a permit to fly aircraft is far more affordable than a Tecnam on a CofA, which is what the original post was about.
ps. Although load is better on a PFA light aircraft version, the insurance is also more of a burden. The Zenair 601 as a light aircraft is costing one pal 900 a year for 3rd party, and the microlight version just 150 for another pal!
If you want to fly just one up, then you can have full tanks and luggage on the microlight version. It is just when you want to carry two people the microlight version is a bit difficult to be legal in.
Very best wishes, Colin