Guidance
Guidance for Microlight Pilots
For the NPPL(A) with a Microlight or Powered Parachute class rating: the five BMAA exams, how to study for them, and how the exams work.
- 5
- BMAA exams
- 75%
- pass mark
- 24
- months to pass
Student pilots
The requirements
This covers every microlight licence: the UK NPPL(A) with a Microlight or a Powered Parachute class rating. Even if you fly something that needs no licence, such as a paraglider or a single-seat deregulated aircraft (SSDR), you'll still need some of this from an Air Law point of view.
Alongside your flying training you'll study for and pass five official BMAA exams, plus the radio exams if you want to use a radio.
There's no such thing as an NPPL(M)
Most people call it that, but the licence is really an NPPL(A) with a Microlight class rating, and the same goes for Powered Parachutes. Now you can decipher all the slang names for microlight licences.
The five BMAA exams
Within 24 months
Every exam must be passed in the 24 months before you apply for the licence.
At a BMAA location
Exams are sat where the BMAA has registered, with an approved Ground Examiner invigilating: usually your flying school.
75% to pass
The pass mark for each exam, and for our own online exams too.
Student pilots
How to study
You can make life easy, or difficult. Some subjects need more learning than others, and some complement each other, so the order you take them in matters. This is the order we recommend.
Our article on How to Study has expert advice on learning for the theory exams.
- 1Air Law for Microlights
- 2Aircraft Technical Knowledge for Microlights
- 3Human Performance & Limitations
- 4Meteorology
- 5Communications *
- 6Navigation
* Communications also has a practical (oral) exam with a Radiotelephony Examiner, which needs its own preparation: our one-to-one RT Practical Examination Preparation.
The official exams
Written exams, made simple
To sit an official exam you need an Exam Readiness Certificate, which you earn by passing our online exam for the course. Pass ours, and you stand every chance of passing theirs.
Rule number one: don't panic.
- 1
Sit it at your training organisation
The BMAA exams are written, multiple-choice papers, taken where you're learning to fly. - 2
Mark an X in pen
On the answer sheet, put an X in the box for your answer against each question number. Use a pen, not a pencil. - 3
Changed your mind?
Block out that box completely, then put your X in the box for your new answer.
Bring a pen: the answer sheet is marked in pen, not pencil.
The official exams
Questions and time
Each subject has its own number of questions and time limit. If you know your subject, you won't be short of time.
| Subject | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Air Law for Microlights | 20 | 30 min |
| Aircraft Technical Knowledge for Microlights | 50 | 75 min |
| Human Performance & Limitations | 10 | 20 min |
| Meteorology | 25 | 60 min |
| Communications (Radio Telephony) | 12 | 20 min |
| Navigation | 20 | 75 min |
On the day
Top tips for the official exams
- 1
Read the question carefully
Note in particular what it actually asks you to answer. - 2
Read every answer
Before choosing: you need the most correct one, not the first that fits. - 3
Leave the hard ones
If a question is difficult, move on and come back to it at the end. - 4
Rule out the wrong ones
Unsure? Decide which answers are definitely wrong, and choose from what's left. - 5
Know all of the subject
Fewer questions means each one is worth more, so you must answer more of them correctly to pass.
Licensed pilots
Your licence is only the first goal
Once you have it, keeping your knowledge of the rules, procedures and your skills up to date matters just as much. There are more ratings to earn, and courses we highly recommend for every licensed pilot.
Don't know where to start?
Let us help you!
Your short-cut to becoming a pilot.