To obtain a NPPL with microlight rating (formerly PPL A (M)), the statutory minimum requirements are:

(A) 15 hours dual instruction (this is the minimum required to complete the BMAA syllabus)
(B) 10 hours supervised solo instruction including two qualifying cross-country flights.
(C) Exams (Air Law, Aeroplanes Technical, Navigation, Meteorology, Human Performance and Limitations)
(D) A pass of the General Skills Test (GST)                                                                                                               (E) You must be at least 17 years of age
(F) You must have a Declaration of Medical Fitness signed by your GP or other authorised medical practitioner.

(A) Dual Instruction

This phase of training covers all aspects of flight, starting with general handling in flight and progressing through emergency procedures to take-offs, landings and circuit work. The purpose of this phase of training is to ensure that the pilot is competent to be Pilot in Command, can fly the aircraft safely, can deal with any emergency that may arise, and can bring the aircraft safely back on to the ground. Typically, this last is the part that takes the longest. The instructor will not allow a student to fly solo until he or she is convinced that the student is capable of landing the aircraft safely every time. Some (very rare) students will solo after 15 hours (very rarely earlier than this). Most will require more than the minimum hours of circuit work to get their landings right every time, typically somewhere between 15 and 25 hours total dual. Some may take longer, but sooner or later it will happen!

(B) Supervised Solo

Once your instructor has cleared you for solo flight, you will spend a few hours getting used to flying without the reassuring bulk of an instructor on board. You will be sent on short navigation exercises to familiarise yourself with the local area and to give you confidence that you can find your way back to your home airfield (that is the scary part for most tyros!). Finally, you will be sent on your first solo cross-country flight, where you will be required to find your destination airfield (normally within about an hour’s flight of home), join the circuit, land, sign the visitor’s book, pay the landing fee (remember to bring some cash), then take off and return home. You will do two of these flights. Typically, the first is slightly scary, the second is fun!

(C) Ground Exams

These are multiple choice format and are to demonstrate your understanding of the theoretical side of aviation. For most people, the Meteorology and Navigation exams require the most preparation. There are books to help you with these, most notably Brian Cosgrove’s Microlight Pilot’s Handbook which is the microlight student pilot’s bible.

(D) GST

You must pass a test with an approved examiner which demonstrates your competence and safety as a pilot. This normally lasts about 90 minutes, during which time you will be required to demonstrate not just that you can fly competently, but can respond safely to any one of a number of emergencies thrown at you by the examiner. You must also demonstrate a high level of airmanship. The GST is not the gruelling ordeal that it sounds like – after all it is unlikely that your instructor would advise you to take it if he thought you would fail. By the time you take the test, you will have developed all the skills needed to pass it.

(E) Age
This is self-explanatory. You can learn at any age, but cannot solo until you have passed your 17th birthday.

(F) Declaration of Medical Fitness

This is a simple form that you and your GP must sign – all it states is that you do not have any medical condition that would preclude you from obtaining a licence. The requirements are pretty much the same as those for driving a car. No medical examination should be necessary, and many GPs do not charge for this declaration.