The British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) hosted its annual Microlight Instructor Seminar this March (2025), primarily focusing on instructor best practices, safety updates, and an open-forum for information exchange. Amidst these core discussions, the BMAA also shared its latest statistics on microlight licensing—a glimpse into how the community is growing and changing.
NPPL Applications 2002–2024
One of the longest-standing data sets the BMAA collects is the annual number of NPPL (National Private Pilot Licence) microlight applications. It’s clear that we’re still below the highs of the 2000s. Some of that might be attributable to broader shifts in leisure spending and increased costs across all general aviation sectors.
Flexwing vs Three-Axis Ratio
In addition to raw application numbers, the BMAA also tracks how many of those new licences are for flexwing vs. three-axis microlights. Over the last five years (2020–2024), the ratio has largely favoured three-axis machines:
2020: 19% Flex / 81% Three-Axis
2021: 21% Flex / 79% Three-Axis
2022: 14% Flex / 86% Three-Axis
2023: 15% Flex / 85% Three-Axis
The long-term decline in flexwing flying has been a topic of concern. While it’s still a beloved sector—particularly among pilots who cherish the open feel of a weight-shift control aircraft—the overall trend tilts strongly towards three-axis, a format that many find more “aeroplane-like”.
Female Applicants
The proportion of female NPPL microlight applicants continues to average around 4–5%, though this number sharply dropped in 2024 to just under 1%.
The percentage of female applicants has remained modest, rarely surpassing 4.5%. Many consider this one of the biggest growth opportunities for microlighting.
Fresh Pilot Profile
The presentation also touched on the typical profile of new microlight pilots (i.e., those earning an NPPL for the first time). According to the BMAA’s data up to the end of December 2024:
Average age to begin training: ~44 years
Average time to complete the course**: ~2 years
Average total hours to gain the licence: ~57 hours 53 minutes
Average solo hours: ~12 hours 58 minutes
These numbers suggest that many participants are middle-aged enthusiasts—often with the financial stability and free time to commit to flying. Training times can stretch out because most students learn part-time, balancing aviation pursuits with work or family obligations. With the British weather’s caprice, spanning the process over a couple of years is far from unusual.
Instructor Statistics
The statistics also covered instructor-related figures. There are three relevant designations here:
FI[R] (Restricted Flying Instructor): A newly qualified instructor who faces certain limitations until gaining more teaching experience.
FI (Unrestricted Flying Instructor): A full instructor (often referred to as QFI), authorised to carry out all training responsibilities independently.
FIE (Flying Instructor Examiner): An instructor of instructors, so to speak—empowered to conduct checks and validations for those seeking instructor ratings.
Recent Instructor Figures
In 2024, the BMAA recorded 5 new FI[R] certificates and 4 upgrades from FI[R] to full FI.
Typically, an FI[R] holds restricted privileges for about 19 months before upgrading.
The number of FIEs (the examiners themselves) stands at 9—unchanged from 2007.++
Looking Ahead: The Future of Microlighting
The BMAA offered a few forward-looking observations on how microlighting might evolve. These points include:
600 kg Microlight Class
With regulations allowing microlights up to 600 kg, many in the community are excited about flying more robust machines with improved comfort and range. The BMAA considers this a positive development that could attract pilots who want the relative cost-effectiveness of microlights but are put off by smaller, more limited aircraft.
Grassroots Emphasis
At the same time, there is recognition that simpler, more traditional microlights—especially flexwings—still form the bedrock of grassroots aviation, although their share of new licences is down.
Powered Parachutes
An intriguing area of potential growth, powered parachutes remain a regulatory grey area: the BMAA acknowledges that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has yet to approve certain powered parachute designs for mainstream microlight use. Advocacy continues, with the possibility of launching an online petition to demonstrate interest.
Economic Factors
With inflation and general economic uncertainty, disposable income can be a limiting factor for many prospective pilots. While older, more established individuals can often absorb flight training costs, younger pilots might struggle.
Trends
The days of 400–500 annual new microlight licence applications may be behind us, at least for the moment. However, the consistent trickle of new pilots suggests continued interest.
While flexwing flying is still cherished, the modern microlight pilot increasingly favours three-axis designs—likely due to familiarity, perceived safety, and comfort. Whether flexwings can make a comeback could depend on how well clubs and instructors market the unique joys (and affordability) of weight-shift flying.
The instructor ecosystem seems stable, with a handful of new FI[R]s each year and about the same number upgrading to full FI. The limited pool of FIEs might remain sufficient, though there's probably room for new examiners if any existing instructors decide to pursue this career.
Overall, the sentiment is that microlighting remains resilient, yet the broader climate will shape how quickly the sport grows in the coming years.
Do you have thoughts on how to attract more pilots—particularly women or younger individuals—into microlighting? Are there policy or economic changes that could stimulate growth? Please share your thoughts in the comments. The BMAA’s statistics are only half the story; the rest comes from the community, from each pilot, student and instructor.
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