Becoming a Microlight Pilot




Can microlight flying be for me? - Yes.

Getting your pilots licence is both affordable and manageable.


It doesn't cost the earth
to soar above it.

Flying instruction is only £75 per hour using club aircraft (£45 if you buy your own).

Should you wish to purchase your own aircraft we can help you find a good secondhand microlight from about £2,500 up, or a new one from about £8,000 up to £20,000+ (if you feel the need for a top-of-the-range model with all the bells and whistles)!


You don't have to be superman
to fly like him.

Almost anyone can do it with our expert tuition.

The only form of medical that is required is a self assessment countersigned by your own doctor.

Our instructors will pass on to you all the skills and confidence you need to become a competent and safe microlight pilot.

Alongside the fun bit of learning to fly, we'll also give the theoretical knowledge which is necessary to fly safely and our relaxed ground school sessions will easily prepare you for the pilot licence exams.


What we can offer

Instruction is available on both 3-axis and weightshift aircraft, from abinitio through to FULL DE-RESTRICTED LICENCE, by fully qualified CAA rated personnel, and with a CAA appointed examiner on site, the student pilot can be catered for from start right through to licence, in house.

Unlike most microlight schools, ALL training can be given on club aircraft including all solo flying to the point of getting your licence.

For those who cannot afford to or simply don't want the hassle of owning their own aircraft, we run a scheme where you can purchase a 1/10th syndicate share in an aircraft, thus enabling you to continue your flying at the much reduced owners rate.

Conversely, training for people with their own aircraft is available at a much lower rate.


What is involved?

To fly a microlight solo and unsupervised you must be in possession of a Private Pilots Licence (Aeroplanes) Group D - PPL(A) Group D.

Obtaining the Licence requires the following:
  • That you are at least 17 years of age or over
  • That you are in possession of a valid medical 'Declaration of Fitness' countersigned by your own Doctor (no examination is required).
  • That any flying instruction received must be under the direct supervision of a CAA Rated Instructor.
  • That within 12 months prior to your application for a licence you pass simple written tests of the multiple choice type on:
    • Air Law
    • Navigation and Meteorology
    • Principles of flight
    • Human performance and limitations
    • That you Pass a General Flying Test (GFT) set by an authorized Instructor holding an Examiner Rating within the 9 month period prior to applying for the licence.

There are two types of licence and they are distinguished by the extent of the flying qualifications required on microlight aircraft:
  • Restricted:
    • 15 Hrs flying instruction
    • Of which 7 Hrs must be solo.
    • The solo hours must be completed within the 9 month period prior to applying for the licence.
  • Unrestricted:
    • Hold a PPL Group D (Restricted) as above.
    • Obtain a further 10 Hrs flying time of which at least 5 Hrs must be on instruction in navigation training.
    • The navigation training must include:
      • 2 solo cross-country flights of at least 40 nautical miles each
      • An out landing at a site at least 15 nautical miles from your take-off point.

However, it is not necessary to take two seperate stages and most people nowadays train for the full 25 hours including the navigation element and go straight for their unrestricted licence.


What will it cost?

MFC Flying Courses
Course Elements Club Aicraft Own Aircraft
Dual seat Instruction per hour £75 £45
Solo supervision per hour £65 £30
Ground Instruction per hour £25 £25
15Hrs Course - to restricted licence £1200 £800
10Hrs De-restriction course (solo flying only) £555 £200
Full course - everything included £1850 £950
Ground studies course - including exams £315 £315
Ground exams per exam £25 £25
General Flying Test £60 £60


PRICES MAY CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION.

N.B. All ground school, exam sittings and the GFT is included in the price for the full course and the 15hr course. However, club membership is not included and is charged at £60 per annum.