How to become a microlight pilot

Below are the different steps you need to take to become a pilot, as well as the conditions you need to fulfil to be admitted to air traffic (as a pilot).

Training, both theoretical and practical, is best done in a flying club where you can follow microlight training. An overview of all clubs in Belgium can be found here

Checklist:

 

  • Find a suitable microlight club and take theoretical and practical training there
  • Take care of your medical examination
  • Apply for your practice licence
  • Take your theoretical exam in Brussels
  • Take your practical exam with an examiner
  • Apply for your licence

Find a suitable microlight club

Theoretical and practical training is done in a microlight club with recognised monitors. Visit a few microlight clubs and find out which one is the most suitable for you: proximity, training hours that suit you, type of aircraft you want to fly… Find out from other pilots!

Get a medical examination

Before you start your microlight pilot training, you must undergo a medical examination. The list of approved doctors shows which Aero Medical Examiner (AME) you can go to. You can also visit one of the medical centres.

A microlight licence requires a class 4 or class 2 medical certificate.

Applying for an Exercise Permit

As a candidate pilot, you must hold a practice licence: an authorisation to practice. The application document can be found here. Also include an application for a flight book.

To obtain a practice licence, you must be at least 16 years old. Which documents you need to enclose with your application and how this procedure works is explained below.

A practice permit is always valid for a maximum period of 24 months, starting on the date of the medical certificate. This permit can always be renewed for another 24 months.

What can you do with the training licence?

  • You may carry out dual-pilot flights;
  • You may carry out local flights as sole occupant under the supervision of a monitor. “Local flights” means flights around and with a view of the airfield or microlight site;
  • You may carry out overland flights as sole occupant, with the permission of the monitor, provided you have experience of two overland flights in dual control.

Theory test in Brussels

The theoretical examination Aviation Law and Regulations must be taken in Brussels.

On the DGLV/DGTA website you will find all info regarding registration, exam dates and fees.

Taking practical exam with an examiner

If your instructor deems you fit after your training period, he will fill out an application for a practical exam. You should submit that application to the CAA at bcaa.lic.dir@mobilit.fgov.be.

For the practical part, you must perform the following tests, alone on board, during one or more flights:

  1. An overland flight between two points at a distance of at least 35 km;
  2. 10 take-offs and 10 landings;
  3. Landings less than 20 metres from a target;
  4. Landings less than 30 metres from a target, with the engine on slow run;
  5. Stall (microlight only).

Applying for permission to pilot a microlight

After the practical exam, the examiner makes a report which he delivers to the DGLV/DGTA to obtain your permission to fly a microlight. Once this has been dealt with, you will be sent a payment invitation by e-mail. You will then be notified that your permit will be sent by post.

To obtain a licence/permit, you must be at least 16 years old. Which documents you need to send with your application can be found below.

Once you have received your permit, you may fly as a sole occupant in accordance with Belgian regulations.

Taking passengers.

You may take a passenger on condition that you have performed 30 hours as sole occupant (10 hours for holders of a valid private aircraft pilot’s licence) and take a check-flight with an instructor, who will make mention of it in the person’s flight book, that you have the required qualification.

The qualifications are awarded for 3-axis microlights or for “delta wings” (DPM).

Are you already a private or professional pilot?

If you have a private pilot licence with valid SEP-rating or professional pilot licence, you do not have to take the theoretical exam in Brussels.

You only need to take a practical exam.

Procedures to apply for licences

Below you will find the procedure(s) to follow, as well as each time which documents need to be sent for this purpose.

How does the procedure work?

Always send your documents by e-mail to belgianulmfederation@gmail.com and no longer by post to the DGLV/DGTA.

Attention: all documents should be sent in PDF format, if possible collected in a single file in the order indicated in the procedure per type of application!

  • All your documents form a file with your name and telephone number: <ULM – NAME – PHONE NUMBER>. For example ULM – JACOBS – 0478/123456;
  • Before sending us your file, please check that it is complete according to the type of request;
  • Send us your file via belgianulmfederation@gmail.com or via WeTransfer (or any other way if it is larger than 5MB);
    • Files will be handled by the BULMF with discretion and in consultation with the CAA;
    • The BULMF will send a report to the CAA Licensing Department at appropriate times on the status of pending applications with our approval of licences to be issued;
  • You will receive a payment invitation by mail after processing;
  • Upon receipt of payment, the CAA will notify you by mail that your permit will be sent.

The scanned files you send us will be processed by a member of the BULMF Board of Directors or a member delegated by the BULMF. We check for you that your application is in order and that your file is complete. If there are problems with your application, we will contact you.

1. First application for ULM/DPM training authorisation (i.e. exercise licence)

  • The completed, official document from DGLV marked Application for practice licence;
  • Copy of both sides of the identity card (the pilot must be at least 16 years old);
  • The minor applicant must submit a written authorisation from his legal representative whose signature must be legalised (he can have it legalised in the municipality of his place of residence);
  • Copy of the medical certificate (class 4, 2 or 1);
  • A passport photograph;
  • Certificate of good conduct, life and morals issued within the last month and intended for a government administration;

PS: A valid PPL – CPL – ATPL (PARTFCL) licence is valid for a ULM/DPM practice licence and allows flying under the supervision of a ULM/DPM instructor.

2. Application for renewal of exercise licence ULM/DPM

  • The completed, official document from DGLV;
  • Copy of your practice permit;
  • Copy of the medical certificate (class 4, 2 or 1);
  • Readable copy of the logbook (last 24 months). Please add an extra column in the old books to record the number of take-offs and landings (e.g. using the column for night flights)

3. First application for ULM/DPM permit to fly

This is the first time an application for a permit to fly is submitted after passing the theory and practical examinations.

If this application coincides with the end of the validity period of the practice licence, it is sufficient to attach the documents of this point 3 to those of point 4 “Application for renewal/extension of a flying licence”.

    • The completed, official document from DGLV;
    • Copy of the valid practice licence or a valid PPL PARTFCL;
    • A legible copy of the logbook (last 24 months). Please add an extra column in the old books to record the number of take-offs and landings (e.g. using the column for night flights) ;
    • Proof that you have passed the theory examination Regulations;
    • Proof that you passed the theoretical examination conducted by the examiner (and recorded in your logbook), with at least 70% of the marks in each of the following subjects: aerodynamics, aerology, flight technique
    • Proof that you passed the practical exam, signed by an examiner;
    • Copy of the examiner’s assignment by the DGLV;
    • For PPL PARTFCL holders who do not have a training licence: Certificate of good conduct, life and morals issued in the last month and addressed to a government administration.

4. Application for renewal or extension of a ULM/DPM permit to fly

  • The completed, official document from DGLV;
  • Copy of the current permit to fly
  • Copy of the medical certificate (class 4, 2 or 1)
  • Readable copy of the logbook (last 24 months). Please add an extra column in the old books to record the number of take-offs and landings (e.g. using the column for night flights)
  • If necessary, due to insufficient flight hours, a certificate of flight competence issued by the instructor (who should also record this in the logbook), not older than three months.

5. Application for renewal of expired ULM/DPM permit to fly

  • The completed, official document from DGLV;
  • Copy of the current permit to fly
  • Copy of the medical certificate (class 4, 2 or 1)
  • If the licence has expired for more than five years, 1 Certificate of good conduct, life and morals issued in the last month and destined for a government administration.

6. First application for instructor qualification

  • The completed, official document from DGLV;
  • Copy of the current flying licence
  • Copy of completed application form for ULM monitor rating (link form Moniteur)

In addition to the documents listed above, the following documents must be submitted to the CAA no later than the day of the theoretical test referred to in Article 41 of the Royal Decree of 25 May 1999 and Annex III thereto (the latter test is held at the CAA before a panel of examiners appointed by the CAA):

  • The flight manual or, in its absence, the available technical description of the powered ultralight aircraft
  • The detailed flight instruction programme that the applicant has established for the powered ultralight aircraft, including a description of the successive phases of this programme and of his instructional method
  • A copy of the theoretical course he will use to teach his students the following topics:
      1. Aviation laws and regulations
      2. Technical and operational data of the powered ultralight aircraft
      3. Flight engineering
      4. Operation and installation of the instruments installed on board the powered ultralight aircraft
      5. Meteorology and micrometeorology
      6. Aerodynamic
      7. Engines used in ultralight powered aircraft
      8. Air navigation suitable for ultralight powered aircraft

7. Application for qualification of instructor on permit to fly

  • The completed, official document from DGLV;
  • Copy of the current flying licence;
  • Copy of the examiner’s assignment by the CAA
  • Proof that you have passed the theoretical examination (referred to in Article 41 of the Royal Decree of 25 May 1999 and its Annex III) at the CAA;
  • Proof that you passed the theoretical and practical examination (referred to in Article 41 of the Royal Decree of 25 May 1999 and its Annex III) with an examiner.

8. Application for renewal or extension of an instructor qualification

  • The completed, official document from DGLV;
  • Copy of the current permit to fly
  • Copy of the medical certificate (class 4, 2 or 1)
  • Readable copy of the logbook (last 24 months). Please add an extra column in the old books to record the number of take-offs and landings (e.g. using the column for night flights)
  • Copy of the Continued Intructor Proficiency certificate, delivered by the assigned examiner (who also notes this in the logbook). The certificate is valid only if obtained within 12 months of its expiry date.

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