FlyingRegulations

OPS ULM Order of 17/02/25

The order of 17 February 2025 sets the conditions for the use of microlights: the timetable, what changes for introductory flights and local flights for remuneration, and the federation's OPS kit.

Regulations

The order of 17 February 2025 sets the conditions for the use of microlights: the timetable, what changes for introductory flights and local flights for remuneration, and the federation's OPS kit.

The whole Flying section

The calendar

One order, two application dates

17 February 2025The orderOrder on the conditions for the use of motorised ultralight aircraft (ULM).Date passed
22 February 2025PublicationPublished in the Official Journal.Date passed
1 July 2025First partImplementation of the first part, applicable to microlighting in general.Date passed
1 April 2026VLO, VLD and APImplementation for introductory flights (VLO and VLD) and special activities (AP).Date passed

1 April 2026entry into force for VLO, VLD and special activities
< 8%of annual flight hours (excluding training and open days): clubs' "marginal" introductory flights under VLD
40 yearsin VLO: from this age, a medical certificate of no contraindication for pilots who carry passengers for remuneration
60 yearsin VLD: the same rule, from 60 years

The OPS kit

Tools for your compliance

The step-by-step guide explains the whole process to follow.

All the toolsOpen the OPS kit PDFThe practical guide to implementing the order

Regulatory text

Order of 17 February 2025The official text published in the Official Journal, setting out the new requirements for microlight activity

Practical guide

Online tools

Model documents

What the order says

Four parts, a declaratory system

All these provisions remain within the declaratory system specific to French microlighting, making a clear distinction between what applies to the pilot, the machine and the operator.

General provisions
Applicable to all microlights: they cancel and replace the microlight part of the order of 24 July 1991 and amend the order of 23 September 1998 on the pilot and equipment, bringing these provisions together in a single new order.
VLO · Local flights for remuneration
Carried out for remuneration by operators (companies).
VLD · Introductory flights
Carried out by organisations (clubs) set up to promote sport and recreational aviation, making introductory flights on a marginal basis (less than 8% of annual flight hours, excluding training and open days).
AP · Special activities
Special activities carried out in microlights.

In summary, what to remember

Very few changes to the conditions of use of microlights for private and leisure use, or for training.
New provisions to regulate activities carried out in microlights for remuneration, and more particularly when carrying a fare-paying passenger: VLO, VLD and AP.

It was also considered important to continue allowing clubs for which introductory flights are a marginal activity (less than 8% of flight hours) to offer them with simplified procedures that are less restrictive than those applying to local flights for remuneration.
The FFPLUM Regulation working group

The federation's full communication

The materials from the webinars presenting the text can be added here by the federation.

OPS ULM Order of 17/02/25

The essentials

The order of 17 February 2025 comes into force on 1 April 2026. To support clubs and pilots through this transition, the FFPLUM is making a set of practical resources available.
These resources are intended for associations making introductory flights (VLD) and operators offering local flights for remuneration (VLO). They make it possible to meet the requirements of the order while preserving the microlight philosophy.
Very few changes to the conditions of use of microlights for private and leisure use, or for training.

The federation's text

OPS Kit

The order of 17 February 2025 comes into force on 1 April 2026. To support clubs and pilots through this transition, FFPLUM is making available a set of practical resources.

Here is the list of tools to bring you into compliance (the step-by-step guide will explain the whole process to follow). You can access all the tools HERE

📋 Regulatory text

Order of 17 February 2025 — The official text published in the Official Journal, setting out the new requirements for microlight activity

📘 Practical guide

Step-by-Step Guide Presentation of the documents
Guide to running a microlight flying club — How to comply simply, in the microlight spirit: freedom, responsibility, simplicity

🛠️ Online tools

VLD/VLO manual generator — Create your own activity document (VLD) or activity manual (VLO) in a few clicks
Human Factors training — Online training module → FH Ops ULM · Aérogligli

📄 Template documents

Medical certificate template — To give to your doctor, for the pilots concerned
Passenger information sheet — Mandatory regulatory text with signature collection
VLD/VLO practical assessment form — For the three-yearly assessment flight with an instructor
Template minutes for appointing the Responsible Manager — For organisations operating VLOs
SMS manual - Annex to the VLO/VLD Activity Manual

Who is it for?

These resources are intended for associations carrying out introductory flights (VLD) and operators offering paid local flights (VLO). They make it possible to meet the requirements of the order while preserving the microlight philosophy.

Going further