Arclite01,
Pretty much spot on except differences training adds a SLMG or microlight "rating" to your UK JAR-FCL licence, it doesn't give you a microlight or SLMG "licence". For that, (not that it makes much difference "except perhaps for flight abroad"?) you get an NPPL. If you have an old UK CAA PPL, the SLMG is already included and just needs a cert of test or cert of experience to be valid. There was no seperate microlight rating then, so microlights were just flown on the strength of your PPL and this is still a "Grandfather" right.
To summise ...
To fly a glider, no official licence is required in the UK, so to fly one you "simply" need to go to a club and get checked out. There is a series of "badges" and "diplomas" that you work through as you gain experience. You can now get a glider licence, but apart from being recognised abroad, isn't needed here. Interestingly, though it's set to change, you can fly a glider in the UK from your home strip with no licence, and no CofA (for older types). However, apart from probably killing yourself, you would legally need insurance, which I doubt you'd get.
To fly an SLMG
Old UK CAA PPL ... Cert of test or experience as the rating is included.
JAR PPL ... Differences training to add a SLMG rating.
or get a NPPL (SLMG)
Both the above do no allow hours to be used to keep your SEP current. For that you need a TMG rating. To add that to a UK CAA PPL, you need a current SLMG rating (ie cert of test or experience) and to send £76 to the CAA. For a JAR PPL, you need to pass a TMG flight test with a qualified TMG examiner, to add the rating + pay the CAA.
To fly a microlight
CAA PPL ... You can fly, but differences training is recommended.
JAR PPL ... Differences training is required.
or get a NPPL (microlights)
Microlight hours do not count toward SEP currency in all cases.
SS
Last edited by shortstripper; 19th May 2007 at 07:59.