SEP revalidation by experience - instructor hour in microlight
 

From Oct 1st, can a SEP instructional flight be conducted on a 3 axis microlight, as part of SEP revalidation by experience? The pilot concerned has sufficient hours in the previous 2 years, all on 3 axis microlights, and prior differences training signed off.

Under the provisions of The Aviation Safety (Amendment)(No.2) Regulations 2025, the following comes into effect today, 1st October 2025:
Annex 1(e) aeroplanes are microlights; if equipped with three-axis control systems, they meet the 'flight time and other requirements of FCL.740.A', which includes 'refresher training of at least 1 hour of total flight time with a flight instructor (FI) or class rating instructor'.

So in my opinion, the answer to your question is 'yes'. Provided of course, that the refresher training is conducted in accordance with 'AMC1 FCL.740.A(b)(1)(ii) Revalidation of class and type ratings' and 'GM1 FCL.740.A Revalidation of class and type ratings – aeroplanes [new]', both of which are included in ORS9 Decision No. 0053, which may be viewed at:
https://www.caa.co.uk/publication/download/25525 .

Thanks very much for such a detailed answer.

So the next question that comes to mind is, can this be conducted by a Microlight Instructor?

As a PPL Examiner/Instructor, who has never set foot in a microlight, I wouldn't feel at all happy doing the instructor hour in one. Even if I were to have differences signed off. (Which could be in a different microlight)

I'm ready for "wimp" accusations, I deal with such on a regular basis.

Mr A
That was my thought.

Kinda depends on the microlight really. Some microlights have a group A version that is almost identical. The Eurofox springs to mind!

Directly from the CAA, if undertaking the dual hour in a Microlight, the FI cannot be a FI(Microlight).

Did the Authority give you a regulatory reference, or is this a policy decision?

UPDATE: I've now been told that an FI(Microlights) may conduct the SEP refresher flight training in a Microlight but will need to know the revalidation requirements in Schedule 8 or FCL.740.A and follow the relevant AMC/GM. An FI(M) cannot hold FCL.945 privileges, so could not sign the Certificate of Revalidation for a Part-FCL licence holder. But if the FI(M) has 'R' examiner authorisation, he/she could sign the Certificate of Revalidation for a UK ANO licence holder.....

You can only train for a rating that you hold so, if an FI(M) can do this flight, then in my opinion they would also need to hold an SEP class rating on an aeroplane licence.

The main reason to do this is cost. Uls as we call them in Germany are significantly cheaper to operate. Until recently they were limited by a MTOW of 475kg which made their utility problematic. Since the weight limit has been increased to 600kg, as two seaters they leave little to be desired.

I got an instructor rating as soon as my club got one of the higher MTOW aircraft and am now the CFI. Previously I would have discouraged people interested in progressing on to higher licenses from going down the UL route. But now at least here in Germany starting with ULs and moving on to a PPL and beyond seems quite possible.

Beagle, No regulatory reference. A question answered by the CAA man who attended a recent FI Seminar. Nice to see they are giving consistent answers.

I thought the new rules were to simplify things.But it seems only those who compiled them can understand them.
My understanding is that 3AM experience can be used towards SEP, but the SEP check has to be flown in SEP

That might sound logical but the CAA say it can be conducted in a 3AM and by a FI Microlight who is familiar with the requirements for a SEP. Might have been easier to just require a Prof Check. There was an AIC in 2000 detailing the requirements of the flight with an instructor but it was withdrawn after it was claimed to be too prescriptive. Here we are back at square 1, 25 years later!.

Yes, Whopity, I remember that ridiculous AIC which was more complicated than a Proficiency Check.

Regarding revalidation refresher flying for SEP/TMG Class Ratings, the latest EASA AMC1 FCL.740.A (b)(1)(ii)(c) and associated GM2 FCL.740.A are far less prescriptive than than the latest UK FCL.740.A requirements!

I've also noted that UK AMC2 FCL.740.A(b)(1)(ii) states that ‘If, due to aircraft or weather or aircraft related limitations, it is not practical to conduct a single flight of an hour, the requirements may be satisfied by receiving instruction totalling at least 1 hour over the course of two flights.’ This wasn’t agreed by the L&TS WG and is unreasonably inflexible - EASA has no such restriction in FCL.740.A(b)(1)(ii)(C) - why does the UK version include this two flight gold plating? Also, what would happen if a pilot had to return early on a planned refresher training flight due to tech reasons and was unable to complete stall scenarios on the second flight due to weather?

I've e-mailed this to the GAU and await a reply with interest!

SEP, TMG, SLMG in an ANO PPL

I know SEP and TMG rating Revalidations can be 'signed off' if the pilot has flown only SEP hours and the 1 hour with an instructor is flown in an SEP. So, if I get presented with a licence with SEP, TMG and SLMG Ratings on it (as my UK licence has), can all three get signed off on the same basis?

As I understand it, the recent Regulation changes now seem to mean that 'SLMG' will disappear from powered-aeroplane licences, will that mean that current holders of an SLMG Rating will lose privileges?

Yes, they can all be signed off on the base of hours in just one of them. The only privilege lost under SLMG is to fly an SLMG that does not meet the definition of a TMG; that will now require a sailplane licence with a SLMG endorsement.

Thanks Whopity.

Interestingly, I've just updated my (dormant) SPL to add SLMG and TMG and it came back with just TMG added. The other text already said 'sailplanes/powered sailplanes'. I'm assuming (!!) that thus covers the SLMG bit?

Kemble Pitts
I think thats a reasonable assumption for those SLMGs that are not TMGs.