MICROLIGHTING

Started in the late 1970s, the sport of Microlighting developed through the introduction of power units for hang gliders. With the Microlights of this time it was an achievement to fly such aircraft just a few miles. Today, the average microlight bears little in common with its ancestors with Microlights able to fly great distances without stopping.

Microlights are mini-aircraft, small enough to pack-up and transport by car, yet flexible enough to carry two persons from Pretoria to Nelspruit, or even further depending on the engine and aircraft configuration.

It is a fast-expanding sport, attracting both men and women who have never flown before, as well as experienced pilots from other flying disciplines, who want to enjoy the freedom, affordability and "wind-in-the-face" flying that microlighting offers.

Microlighting in South Africa
To legally fly a Microlight in South Africa, one must be in possession of a valid MPL (Microlight Pilots License) and Radio operator’s license. To obtain a license the individual must enrol at a flight school which has been granted the necessary licenses by the Civil Aviation Authority, and receive training from an approved flight instructor. The training typically requires a total of about 25 hours flying (about 10 hours thereof dual, and the rest solo), and all the relevant ground courses including weather, engines & airframes, air law, navigation, theory of flight, radio procedure.

At the beginning of the training, the student must have a medical examination by a CAA approved doctor and apply for a student license. After the training he must have a series of flight tests by an instructor other than the one who did the training, and pass written exams on the ground courses, as well as obtain a radio operators license from Telkom SA.

If all tests and exams are passed, the student can apply to CAA for a Microlight Pilots License (valid for the type on which he/she has trained). This is valid as long as the medical certificate is valid for 5 years from date of examination. Every five years the pilot must have a further medical examination. If the student/pilot is over 40 years old, the medical must be renewed every three years.

Rules and regulations for microlighting in South Africa
Both the pilot and the aircraft must be legal - the pilot must have a valid Microlight Pilots License and be a      paid up member of MISASA. The pilot must have a valid third party insurance through MISASA, and the      aircraft must have a valid "Authority to Fly" from CAA.
A microlight must meet certain noise control regulations
A microlight may never fly over a built-up area.A microlight must not fly lower than 500 ft vertically over or      2000 ft horizontally from any person, animal or dwelling.
A microlight must remain below 1000 ft AGL unless equipped with VHF radio, compass and altimeter.
A microlight may not enter controlled airspace unless equipped with VHF radio, compass and altimeter, and      then only with permission from ATC;
A microlight may not fly at night defined as ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise.
A microlight pilot, other than an instructor in the course of training a student, may not take passengers for      any form of remuneration.

Associations and clubs
MISASA, the Microlight Association of South Africa, is the representative body for Microlight Pilots in South      Africa, with a membership of approximately 950.
MISASA represents some 3000 pilots and 25% of all aircraft registered on the South African Civil Aircraft      Register
MISASA is a section of The Aero Club of South Africa is the designated controlling body for all sport aviation      in the Republic.

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