ExamULM: simpler, more accessible training

ExamULM: simpler and more accessible training

Season 202217 February 20222 min read

The delegation of the microlight theory exam is now official, with a phased roll-out (see the timetable…) that will eventually allow the microlight theory exam to be taken at around fifty centres across the country. What is the aim? Until now, the theory exam, which is the gateway to our activity, could only be taken at about ten DGAC centres, often with very long waiting times. More importantly, the exam syllabus, which dates back 20 years, consisted mostly of questions taken from the certified aviation world, filtered by hand over the years, with no real transparency about what was expected and no feedback on mistakes made in the exam.

The new training programme has now been designed specifically for microlight pilots, and the questions (around 1 400) will be fully in line with our activity. Multiplying the number of exam centres by five will cut waiting times and allow better coverage across the country, in conjunction with our Regional Committees. Symbolically, the Federation’s head office in Maisons-Alfort will be an exam centre, which will save candidates a trip to Orly. In the long term, the aim is to support ExamULM with new federation teaching materials (printed and digital).

By protecting our 2019 regulations from a European certification-style harmonisation that would have dissolved the distinctiveness of the French microlight model, by taking the lead of the European Microlight Federation (EMF), and by considerably increasing the funding for safety training, notably with the Return to Flying operation (1 400 REV in 2021), our movement preserves the balance between regulation, safety and training, which is the keystone of our development. The recent meeting of the ISAL (Light Aviation Safety Body) confirmed the downward trend in fatal and serious accidents over five years. These are of course small numbers and a trend that must be confirmed by further strengthening our training and safety policy without touching our regulatory framework.

ExamULM: simpler and more accessible training

All of this is not just words but real, tangible action that allows all microlight pilots to fly with peace of mind and newcomers to discover a structured, lively activity. It is the work of a whole team.

We still have to reach some essential milestones, notably in defending our airfields, in order to secure our passion even more firmly in a particularly constrained context, in which microlighting, with its modernity and diversity, has more going for it than ever!

On behalf of the whole Board of Directors, I wish you an excellent year, with fine, relaxed flights full of sharing.