ANO 2016 Schedule 1 para 4 defines a microlight aeroplane in four ways. The main one, para 4(2), reads:
An aircraft is a microlight aeroplane if it is a non-Part 21 aircraft, other than an unmanned aircraft, that is designed to carry not more than two persons, which—
(a) has a stalling speed, or maximum steady flight speed in the landing configuration, at the maximum take-off mass not exceeding 35 knots calibrated airspeed; and
(b) has a maximum take-off mass not exceeding—
(i) 450kg for a two-seat landplane;
(ii) 495kg for a two-seat amphibian or floatplane; or
(iii) 475kg for a two-seat landplane equipped with an airframe mounted total recovery parachute system.
Para 4(3) covers approved designs, also for not more than two persons, with a stalling speed up to 45 knots and maximum take-off mass up to 600kg (landplane) or 650kg (amphibian or floatplane). Para 4(4) includes a single-seat deregulated aeroplane.
Because microlights are non-Part-21 aircraft, cost sharing in them is governed by ANO 2016 art. 13. The conditions are the same as for other aircraft, but with only two seats you can carry one passenger, who may pay at most half the direct costs.
Source: ANO 2016, Schedule 1, para 4
Read more in our guides
- Cost sharing on a PPL, LAPL or NPPL How UK cost-sharing rules apply to PPL, LAPL(A) and NPPL(A) holders: passenger limits, aircraft mass, microlights, recency and why there's no minimum hours.
- Six-person limit: lower caps for LAPL, NPPL and microlights A cost-sharing flight can carry no more than six people including the pilot. LAPL(A) and NPPL(A) are limited to four, microlights to two. Here is how it works.
Related terms
Back to the glossary. Definitions summarise the legislation and CAA guidance and are not legal advice.