Modifying a powered ultralight aircraft

Modifying a motorised ultralight aircraft

As a rule, any modification to a microlight (major or not) must be checked to confirm that the modified microlight still meets all the technical requirements applicable to microlights (including, where relevant, any additional technical conditions linked to particular equipment or use).

On every flight, the microlight’s identification card must be accompanied by a document providing the descriptive details of the microlight, and the microlight must strictly conform to those details.

This document, which must be shown in the event of an inspection, may be:

• The identification sheet associated with the microlight (the one referenced on the identification card, with the correct revision index),

or, if the microlight does not strictly conform to the descriptive details of the identification sheet:

• A declaration of major modification

What is a major modification of a powered ultralight aircraft?

The order of 23 September 1998 on motorised ultralight aircraft, as amended by the order of 15 March 2011, states in its article 10 that a major modification is any modification that affects one of the descriptive details on the identification sheet.

If one of the descriptive details on the identification sheet is no longer valid for the modified microlight, it is a major modification.

Special cases:

- Propellers, options or specific activities:

A modification to introduce a propeller, option or specific activity not listed on the identification sheet is a major modification. On the other hand, installing a propeller or option, or making a modification for a specific activity that is already provided for on the identification sheet (the one referenced on the identification card, with the correct revision index), is not a major modification if the modification is carried out according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

- Operating and maintenance manuals:

A modification that makes it necessary to update these manuals is a major modification.

Declaring major modifications

A major modification must be declared to the DSAC by the holder of the identification card. The declaration must only be signed and sent after checking that the modified microlight remains compliant with the applicable technical conditions. If flight tests are needed to verify this compliance, they must first be carried out under a provisional identification card.

The full procedure is available at https://www.ecologique-solidaire.gouv.fr/ulm-demarches-particuliers.

Insurance

Please note that insurance cover is conditional on compliance with the regulations and in particular on the aircraft being fit to fly in accordance with the regulatory technical requirements and holding a valid, unexpired airworthiness document or equivalent. Failing that, cover may be refused.