Microlights: definition and the six classes of microlight

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Six classes, six ways of leaving the ground. Flexible wing or rigid wing, seated or suspended, on wheels or on floats: each has its own regulations, training and airfields.

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What is a microlight?

The microlight (ULM, ultralight motorised aircraft) is a category of aircraft defined by limits on mass, power and speed. Six classes coexist, each with its own regulations, training and airfields. The certificate is taken class by class, and nothing prevents you from adding another one later: the theory exam, on the other hand, is taken only once.

There are 6 classes of microlight, which differ in their principles of flight.

Video presenting the diversity of the 6 microlight classes

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The six microlight classes

Six machines, six ways of flying

For each class, the regulations set limits on power, mass and speed. Masses are given as single-seat / two-seat; they may be increased with a rescue parachute and, for some classes, for operation on water.

1
Class 1 · Flexible wing, parachute type

Paramotor

A paramotor microlight is an aircraft supported by a flexible wing of the parachute type.

Power · hp
≤ 82 / 102
Weight · kg
≤ 300 / 450
Min. flight speed · km/h
≤ 65
Technical conditions
- Maximum continuous power is less than or equal to 82 hp for single-seaters and 102 hp for two-seaters.
- The minimum flight speed is less than or equal to 65 km/h.
- The maximum weight is less than or equal to 300 kg for single-seaters and 450 kg for two-seaters.
- These masses may be increased by 15 kg for a single-seat paramotor fitted with a rescue parachute or by 25 kg for a two-seat paramotor fitted with a rescue parachute.
The class sheet
2
Class 2 · Rigid wing, suspended motorised trike

Weight-shift microlight

A weight-shift microlight is an aircraft supported by a rigid wing, below which a motorised trike is generally hung.

Power · hp
≤ 82 / 102
Weight · kg
≤ 300 / 450
Min. flight speed · km/h
≤ 65
Technical conditions
- Maximum continuous power is less than or equal to 82 hp for single-seaters and 102 hp for two-seaters.
- The minimum flight speed is less than or equal to 65 km/h.
- The maximum weight is less than or equal to 300 kg for single-seaters and 450 kg for two-seaters.
- These masses may be increased by 15 kg for a single-seat weight-shift microlight fitted with a rescue parachute or by 25 kg for a two-seat weight-shift microlight fitted with a rescue parachute, and by 30 kg for a single-seat weight-shift microlight intended to be operated on water or by 45 kg for a two-seat weight-shift microlight intended to be operated on water.
The class sheet
3
Class 3 · Fixed wing

Three-axis microlight

A three-axis microlight is an aircraft supported by a fixed wing.

Power · hp
≤ 88 / 109
Weight · kg
≤ 330 / 500
Stall · km/h
≤ 70
Technical conditions
- Maximum continuous power is less than or equal to 88 hp for single-seaters and 109 hp for two-seaters.
- The maximum weight is less than or equal to 330 kg for single-seaters and 500 kg for two-seaters.
- These masses may be increased by 15 kg for a single-seat three-axis microlight fitted with a rescue parachute or by 25 kg for a two-seat three-axis microlight fitted with a rescue parachute, and by 30 kg for a single-seat three-axis microlight intended to be operated on water or by 45 kg for a two-seat three-axis microlight intended to be operated on water.
- The stall speed is less than or equal to 70 km/h.
The class sheet
4
Class 4 · Free rotor, pusher propeller

Gyroplane

The gyroplane flies thanks to a free rotor driven by the relative wind, while a propeller provides propulsion. It cannot stall.

Power · hp
≤ 116 / 143
Weight · kg
≤ 330 / 500
Technical conditions
- Single-engine propeller aircraft whose maximum power is less than or equal to 116 hp for a single-seater and 143 hp for a two-seater.
- The maximum mass is less than or equal to 330 kg for a single-seater and 500 kg for a two-seater; these masses may be increased by 15 kg for a single-seat gyroplane fitted with a rescue parachute or by 25 kg for a two-seat gyroplane fitted with a rescue parachute, and by 30 kg for a single-seat gyroplane microlight intended to be operated on water or by 45 kg for a two-seat gyroplane microlight intended to be operated on water.
- The rotor loading at maximum weight is between 4,5 and 12 kg/m².
The class sheet
5
Class 5 · Helium or hot-air envelope

Ultralight aerostat

The ultralight balloon, hot-air or helium: a limited envelope volume, and the same microlight pilot certificate as the other classes.

Power · hp
≤ 102 / 122
Helium · m³
≤ 400
Hot air · m³
≤ 1 200
Technical conditions
- Maximum continuous power is less than or equal to 102 hp for single-seaters and 122 hp for two-seaters.
- The volume of the helium envelope is less than or equal to 400 m³ or, for ultralight airships excluded from the scope of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2018 for a reason other than that provided for in point (h) of Annex I to that Regulation, less than or equal to 900 m³; The volume of the hot-air envelope is less than or equal to 1 200 m³ or, for ultralight airships excluded from the scope of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2018 for a reason other than that provided for in point (h) of Annex I to that Regulation, less than or equal to 2 000 m³.
The class sheet
6
Class 6 · Powered rotary wing

Ultralight helicopter

The most recent of the six microlight classes: a light single-engine helicopter, accessible with the microlight pilot certificate.

Power · hp
≤ 116 / 143
Weight · kg
≤ 330 / 500
Technical conditions
- Single-engine aircraft whose maximum power is less than or equal to 116 hp for single-seaters and 143 hp for two-seaters.
- The maximum mass is less than or equal to 330 kg for a single-seater and 500 kg for a two-seater; these masses may be increased by 15 kg for a single-seat ultralight helicopter fitted with a rescue parachute or by 25 kg for a two-seat ultralight helicopter fitted with a rescue parachute, and by 30 kg for a single-seat ultralight helicopter intended to be operated on water or by 45 kg for a two-seat ultralight helicopter intended to be operated on water.
- The rotor loading at maximum weight is between 8 and 20 kg/m².
The class sheet

One certificate, six classes

What all the classes have in common

A common theory certificate issued by Civil Aviation
Practical training with a declared instructor for the class
A certificate issued by the DGAC, valid for life
A federation licence with aviation third-party liability
Access to more than 1 100 airfields and to the 724 affiliated clubs and schools

The six classes

Put two machines side by side

Choose two classes: power, maximum weights and speed limits, as set by the technical conditions of each class.

Machine A

Max. power single-seat

Max. power two-seat

Max. weight single-seat

Max. weight two-seat

Machine B

Max. power single-seat

Max. power two-seat

Max. weight single-seat

Max. weight two-seat

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What is a microlight?

What is a microlight?

Video presenting the diversity of the 6 microlight classes

Six machines, six ways of flying

Paramotor

Weight-shift microlight

Three-axis microlight

Gyroplane

Ultralight aerostat

Ultralight helicopter

What all the classes have in common

Put two machines side by side

A question on this subject?