UL - The sports pilot licence

UL aeroplanes

Valid for Germany (expand)

In Germany, microlight aircraft are so-called "air sports equipment" and are subject to the LuftPersV (LuftPersVerordnung) and the regulations of the DULV or DAeC.

According to German aviation law, microlight aircraft are so-called "Air sports equipment", whereas the classic "Echo class" aircraft (such as Cessna or Piper) are referred to as aeroplanes. In motorised private aviation, ultralight aircraft and the corresponding training are the alternative to the LAPL/PPL, with which "heavier" aircraft can be flown.

Valid for Austria (expand)

In Austria, UL aircraft are referred to as "aircraft of the UL class" within the meaning of the ZLLV 2020 (Civil Aviation Airworthiness Ordinance). Licensing is carried out by the Austrian Aero Club (ÖAeC) and is also regulated nationally. There are two categories: aerodynamically controlled ULs and weight-controlled ULs (trikes). The maximum authorised take-off mass is currently 472.5 kg for two-seaters with a rescue system. With the approval of the BMK (Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology), the 600 kg limit was introduced for certain types on a trial basis.

Valid for Switzerland (expand)

Switzerland does not recognise UL licences in the traditional sense like Germany or Austria. Instead, there is the category of "light aircraft" (aircraft up to 600 kg) with the SPL (Sport Pilot Licence) issued by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA). This licence is based on the European LAPL concept and allows flights with aircraft up to 600 kg. The classic UL licences from Germany or Austria are only accepted to a very limited extent in Switzerland - especially not for flights under Swiss registration plates.

Aerodynamically controlled microlight aircraft have their name from the fact that they are steered by rotating the rudders around the longitudinal, transverse or vertical axis, which is why they are also referred to as 3-axis control. There are different types and characteristics of this type of aircraft, which we will discuss in more detail elsewhere. In general, there are certain minimum requirements, construction regulations and definitions. With regard to the maximum take-off weight, for example:

• The maximum authorised take-off mass without float must not exceed 600kg (including rescue equipment)
• With float (i.e. for buoyant ULs), the mass must not exceed 650kg amount to

There are numerous other requirements and definitions (e.g. for the minimum speed VS0), but we will not go into these here as we want to focus on the licence and training.

In contrast gravity- or weight-controlled Ultralight aircraft are designed differently and are controlled by shifting the weight or swivelling the entire wing area. These include so-called trikes, for example. The following applies to the maximum take-off weight:

• The maximum authorised take-off mass for single-seaters is 300kg, plus rescue equipment
• For double seaters 450kg, plus rescue equipment

For floats, an additional weight of 30kg is permitted for single-seaters and 45kg for two-seaters. Here, too, there are numerous other regulations that must be met for the aircraft to be considered an ultralight aircraft.

Additionally In addition to the above definition, since 2010 there has been another ultralight class for Aircraft up to 120kg empty weight. For these very light aircraft, there are additional "simplifications" compared to heavier aircraft. For example, these aircraft are exempt from type and traffic certification. The pilots also need none Proof of medical fitness (Medical).

In general, the UL licence is an alternative to a private pilot's licence (LAPL or PPL), which is required for flying larger light aircraft. In particular, the purchase and operation of microlight aircraft is significantly cheaper and the training is somewhat less demanding, as listed below.

Requirements

The Minimum age for the start of training is 16 years and for obtaining the licence after completing training 17 years.

Training programme

Valid for Germany (expand)

In contrast to the LAPL, PPL, CPL, MPL and ATPL, the training requires no proof of language skills (as long as you only want to fly in uncontrolled airspaces G and E), as this is simplified and integrated into the theoretical training and examination. In addition, fewer documents and certificates need to be collected for the start of training. We go into this in more detail in the article "Steps to the licence" in more detail. The training consists of Theory and practice.

Theory

The theoretical training comprises the following subject areas and should comprise 60 hours. It is usually carried out at the flight school itself:

• Air law, air traffic and air traffic control regulations, including legislation governing the mobile aeronautical radio service and the conduct of radiotelephony during flights under visual flight rules
• Navigation
• Meteorology
• Aerodynamics
• General aircraft knowledge, technology and pyrotechnical instruction
• Behaviour in special cases
• Human performance

The theoretical training concludes with a Multiple Choice Test from. The examination usually takes place at the flight school.

Unlike other licences, the theoretical training and examination do not necessarily have to take place before the practical training or examination. You can combine the two in any order. Most flying schools therefore combine practical and theoretical aspects in a sensible way.

Practice

The practical training differentiates between the various aircraft types. For the licence for aerodynamically controlled The following applies to microlight aircraft: The training includes a Total flight time of 30 hours.

Of which:

• up to 20 flight hours can be replaced by flight time on gliders or helicopters
• or 5 flight hours can be replaced by flight time on gravity-controlled microlight aircraft
• Overall, however, the practical training must include at least 5 hours of solo flying, as well as take-offs and landings at various airfields and two cross-country flights with a flight instructor of at least 200 kilometres with a stopover,

The practical training for gravity-controlled Ultralight aircraft includes a Total flight time of 25 hours.

Of which:

• up to 10 flight hours can be replaced by flight time as pilot in command of aeroplanes, helicopters, motor gliders, gliders, aerodynamically controlled ultralight aircraft, hang gliders or paragliders
• Overall, however, the practical training must include at least 10 flying hours with a flight instructor and 5 solo flying hours, as well as take-offs and landings at different airfields, and two cross-country flights with a flight instructor of at least 100 kilometres each with a stopover.

The training is concluded with a Test flight completed.

Valid for Austria (expand)

Training is provided by flight schools authorised by the ÖAeC. The minimum training period is

• 30 flying hours (including at least 5 solo flying hours),
• two cross-country flights (> 150 km each),
• Theoretical training including radiotelephony certificate BZF I or II or a national radiotelephony licence.

The training ends with a test flight in front of an Aero Club examiner.

Valid for Switzerland (expand)

There is no separate UL training in Switzerland. Light aircraft are covered by LAPL or PPL training. Anyone wishing to fly in Switzerland must complete an EASA-compliant LAPL or PPL, including for light aircraft.

Rights as a pilot

With a sports pilot licence, pilots are permitted to fly UL aircraft, the species entered on the licence (in the case of aircraft, the licence therefore entitles the holder to fly either aerodynamically or gravity-controlled UL aircraft). With the corresponding completed radio training you may then also transmit in airspaces within airspaces B, C and D.

Extension and expansions

Valid for Germany (expand)

The licence itself is valid for life. As described above, to fly an UL aeroplane heavier than 120 kg, you need to have a licence at all times. valid medical (which has to be extended again and again. Details on the medical can be found in a separate article). In addition, there are general conditions for all ULs that must be fulfilled in order to be allowed to fly permanently as a pilot. For aerodynamically controlled UL aircraft applies:

• in the last 24 months, at least 12 flight hours must have been flown on aerodynamically controlled microlight aircraft, touring motor gliders or single-engine land aircraft with piston engines
• of which at least 6 hours as PIC in charge
• and at least 12 take-offs and landings
• as well as a training flight of at least one hour with a flight instructor

Alternatively, a proficiency test (test flight) can be carried out with an authorised examiner.

For pilots of gravity-controlled UL aircraft appliesthat "sufficient flying practice" must be available at all times in order to maintain pilot privileges.

Valid for Austria (expand)

Also valid for life. Among other things, 12 hours of flight time as PIC must be demonstrated within 24 months. The licence is restricted to Austrian territory and aircraft, international recognition must be clarified individually depending on the agreement.

Valid for Switzerland (expand)

The SPL or LAPL is EASA-compliant and therefore valid throughout the EASA area - including Germany and Austria. There are no UL-specific rights as in Germany.

There are essentially three relevant extensions for the sport pilot licence: The Towing authorisationwhich Passenger authorisation and the teaching licence.

In order to be authorised to tow other aircraft or other objects (e.g. banners) "without aerotow" (in aerotow, the object is picked up from the air by a flying aircraft using a hook) as an UL pilot, a Towing authorisation. The following conditions must be met in order to obtain this licence:

• After acquiring the UL licence, 30 hours of flight experience as PIC must be available, of which at least 5 hours must be on the type for which the towing authorisation is to be acquired
• There must be 5 training flights with a flight instructor in which aircraft or other objects are towed within 6 months before applying for the towing authorisation
• If you want to tow specific aircraft, you must also carry out five towing starts in the towed aircraft of the type to be towed, unless the applicant holds the corresponding licence themselves

The following requirements must be met in order to pick up and tow other objects, such as banners, specifically in the safety tow:

• After obtaining the UL licence, 90 hours of flight experience as PIC must be available, of which at least 5 hours must be on the type for which the towing authorisation is to be obtained
  Five flights with a flight instructor who has the appropriate authorisation, during which the sling must be taken up without a towed object
• Five flights with a flight instructor, during which the towed object is towed
  must be included. The flights must have been acquired within 6 months prior to applying for the towing licence.

It takes place No separate test. After completion of the training, the towing authorisation is issued, stating the type of recording and the type of towed object. entered in the licence. In order to be able to exercise the towing authorisation permanently, the pilot must carry out at least ten towing flights of the registered type within the last 24 months. Otherwise the pilot must undergo further training.

In order to be allowed to carry passengers, an UL pilot needs a separate licence. Passenger authorisation. The following requirements must be met for this:

• After obtaining the UL licence, five cross-country flights must be carried out with a flight instructor, at least two of which must be cross-country flights with a stopover over a total distance of at least 200 kilometres

Subsequently, a Dedicated practical examination be taken. If successful, the passenger authorisation for the relevant type of aircraft on which the applicant has been trained is entered on the pilot's licence.

If you wish to acquire the passenger rating for aerodynamically controlled UL aircraft and hold an SPL, LAPL (A), PPL (A) or one of the commercial pilot licences, the UL passenger rating is automatically deemed to have been granted.

However, pilots are only allowed to carry passengers if they have carried out at least three take-offs and landings with an aircraft of the same type within the last 90 days.

For the start of training for a Teaching authorisation applies: At least 150 hours must be flown as PIC on UL aircraft, single-engine, piston-powered land aircraft, touring motor gliders or gliders after obtaining the corresponding licence. This must include at least 20 hours of flight time on aerodynamically controlled UL aircraft after obtaining the licence, as well as 1 cross-country flight with a one-way distance of 200 km in an UL aircraft.

Summary

The microlight licence or sports pilot licence is for many a Alternative to an LAPL or PPL licence. It is a Nationally regulated licence and allows flying in aerodynamic and gravity-controlled microlight aircraft (we have not gone into detail about licences for other types of aircraft).

The training consists of theory and practice and is often a challenge in terms of requirements, procedure and costs. more favourable alternative to the LAPL and PPL licences, which allow you to fly heavier aircraft. However, the UL licence is subject to precise regulations regarding the type of aircraft to be flown.

In addition, the licence is purely national and the regulations for flying in other countries must be looked at individually.

There are also far fewer options for extending the licence and some restrictions in terms of possible uses.

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Source references:
DULV NFL

DULV aerodynamic UL

LuftPersV