Some comments, which I say as an ex-microlighter...
microlight guys are far friendlier than their bigger brothers. They will always help you out when you are stuck.
The British Microlight team consistently wins the World Championships. This suggests to me that they are a professional and competent bunch.
The BMAA is very professionally run.
And finally I would far rather pay my TV licence than watch the drivel that the commercial channels put out. Who pays for the adverts, at the end of the day?