MPL and Sport Licence

[skybound®]

Is this issue on the "to do list" of the misasa and aeroclub guys for the meeting with CAA!! Surely this is as bad as the part 24 thing!

Good question WG. The fact that on the MISASA web site they have the incorect version published as their understanding as to what was promulgated makes me think that they do not know that Part 62 was promulgated without the amendment. Well thats my perception at least and perceptions can be wrong.

I am sure we will get a better idea when they publish their proposals that they will be taking to CARCOM at end of the month.

[rainier]

Guys,
if I'm not entirely mistaken, the 260Kg empty weight restriction has been there all along - together with maximum stall speed specs (somewhere around 60-65 Km/h if my fast waning memory is anything to go by).

It has not been enforced up to now. Well, those days are over it seems. If you bought a "heavy" microlight and registered it as a microlight - you where in the wrong. It's now comming back to haunt you.

Yes, I completely feel for anybody that is in this boat and it affects me as well - I cannot change to a Sport Pilot licence due to having had heart bypass surgery - this only allows me to maintain a current rating (which is MPL) but not get a new one. This means I cannot now fly a 912 Jora legally - one of the aircraft we build here in Stellenbosch. It weighs in at 300Kg due to weight of engine and related parts and a heavy "high speed" hull. Stall speed is a tad above the limit as well.

Rainier

[John Boucher]

For some unknown logical reason, I did my PPL rather than MPL a few years back. Even with the new PPL courses, things have changed eg. 5 hours compulsory IF training, language profiency testing etc.

I do how ever have some friends flying Cheetah's etc. with MPL rating and boy I don't even want to tell them about this move..... True what Chunky said - Skiet Skop and Donner.

For curiosity sake.... the Bantam B22 fitted with a Jab 3300 6 cyclinder falls into which class now?

[THI]

How does this changes effect Glider-PL and Gyro-PL? I do not have a licence yet, but my thought are to do a MPL. Just to make sure I understand everybody; Should I wait and see how the changes in legislation impacts MPL licences before starting my MPL?

[rainier]

How does this changes effect Glider-PL and Gyro-PL? I do not have a licence yet, but my thought are to do a MPL. Just to make sure I understand everybody; Should I wait and see how the changes in legislation impacts MPL licences before starting my MPL?

Way I understand it - if MPL is what you want - go and do it.
Just be aware that you can't fly aircraft legally with it that weigh more than 260Kg empty (weight excludes fuel but includes engine fluids).
In the past, very many models have been flown on a MPL that are above this limit, sometimes horribly so - due to lack of inforcement by CAA.

In my opinion, CAA should allow a "grandfather clause" for existing "heavy microlight" pilots - perhaps with a check ride validation by a suitable instructor and give them their Sports Pilot rating based on experience. That would be fair.

Rainier

[skybound®]

An update - Looks like the cloud is clearing.

The first amendment of Part 62 will be put through in June this year. This will add the Light Sport licence as quoted in my above post.

The process regarding the amendment was followed (albeit prior to promulgation of current) and as such can be put in place within a very short space of time. I am led to believe that the amendment is already being translated for proumlgation in June.

So yes looks like June this year will be a good month for those waiting for this licence.

The changes regarding the motorglider licence that THI alluded to however has not run the process so will not be carried in this first amendment.

[Morph]

You see in the past the common law defined a microlight as having as max weight of 450kg and a stall speed of 65km/h.

If you look deeper into the written law you will see references to a max empty weight, but this was never enforced, ever ever. If you had a heavier plane, i.e. all VW powered planes you knew that your carrying capacity was reduced by flying with a heavier engine If you stayed under the 450kg MAUW you were OK. NOT ANYMORE, now common law is out the window and we have the "The Law According to CAA Inspector/NTCA and Pilot licencing Issuer" and he can decide at his own whim which part of the written law he will apply next.

Now it also says IIRC that each max seat weight is thus 85kg max plus 30 liters of fuel. (20kg)

I am over 85kg, and my plane can take up to 100liters of fuel, Now I am really stuffed, will I be refused an MPL because of my weight and would my plane be declared not airworthy because of it's fuel capacity.

I know this really sounds rediculous but where is it going to stop.

[Morph]

In my opinion, CAA should allow a "grandfather clause" for existing "heavy microlight" pilots - perhaps with a check ride validation by a suitable instructor and give them their Sports Pilot rating based on experience. That would be fair.
Rainier

Yes yes yes, I see absolute perfect reason in that proposal. We should put it forward

IMHO me SPL should be Class 4 medical, 35 hours training by a suitably qualified instructor (current MPL 3-axis boys are more than qualified), current MPL ground school and exams. the additional hours whould be taken up by performance and handling issues of a high performance 3-axis, spins, wing-overs, STOL takeoff and landing using flaps and 4-stroke maintenance

There is no real difference in flying 450kg and 600kg, except they are more sluggish and an engine out is really interesting, i.e. falls like a brick.

[Chunky]

[quote="Morph"][quote="rainier"]In my opinion, CAA should allow a "grandfather clause" for existing "heavy microlight" pilots - perhaps with a check ride validation by a suitable instructor and give them their Sports Pilot rating based on experience. That would be fair.
Rainier[/quote]

Yes yes yes, I see absolute perfect reason in that proposal. We should put it forward

IMHO me SPL should be Class 4 medical, 35 hours training by a suitably qualified instructor (current MPL 3-axis boys are more than qualified), current MPL ground school and exams. the additional hours whould be taken up by performance and handling issues of a high performance 3-axis, spins, wing-overs, STOL takeoff and landing using flaps and 4-stroke maintenance

There is no real difference in flying 450kg and 600kg, except they are more sluggish and an engine out is really interesting, i.e. falls like a brick. [/quote]

Morph

The sport Pilot license is only going to require a class 4 medical, the same as MPL so you should have no problem.

If there is hours that need to be completed for the upgrade you can do those in your own plane anyway so its not going to cost a fortune either.