Consultation Meetings – Thursday 07th May, 2009

 

IAA Discussion Paper on possibility of non-ICAO Pilot Licence to cover FLPA’s and Powered Parachute Microlights

 

 

1. The category “Foot Launched Powered Aircraft” (FLPA)  has 2 classes – Powered Paraglider (PPG) and Powered Hang-Glider (PHG). At present, pilots flying these aircraft types in the State do so under a specific Exemption from Article 5 of the PEL Order (SI No. 333 of 2000). Exemptions are granted on the basis of recognition given to training which has either been completed in Ireland or abroad (UK, France, Spain, Portugal) and which has been documented as having been given under an established syllabus (e.g. BHPGA, BMAA etc.).  It has been envisaged for some time that the Exemption system would be converted into a fully developed pilot licence system.

 

2.  The requirements for obtaining a PPL for the  Powered Parachute microlight aeroplanes class are set out in Aeronautical Notice No. P 17, Issue 1 of  23.11.2007 (formerly issued as Aeronautical Notice No.O 45). Broadly, this requires an ICAO Annex 1 compliant 40-hour course with full R/T training. There is significant evidence for believing that Powered Parachute microlight aeroplanes can be safely mastered in a shorter time.

 

3. Some PPG’s are now using wheels for take-off and /or landing. This effectively puts them out of the FLPA category (because they are no longer foot-launched) and into the Powered Parachute microlight aeroplane category.

4. Accordingly, it is proposed to take  Powered Parachute microlight aeroplanes out of the ambit of Aeronautical Notice No. P 17, and to put them into a new Aeronautical Notice which would define a licensing regime for all powered parachute aircraft, whether foot or wheel-launched, and for foot-launched  powered hang-glider aircraft.

 

5. The new A.N. would require substantially reduced training times (maybe around 10 hours for single-seat aircraft and 15 hours for two seat aircraft). There would be no R/T requirements. The privileges of the resulting licence would allow flight in class “G” airspace only, not over any congested areas  and only within  the State (being a non-ICAO Annex 1 compliant  licence).

6. The A.N. would be loosely enough framed so as to facilitate the several different training philosophies existing but sufficiently specific to ensure adequate training standards and safety.

 

IAA – FCL Standards Section,

01 May, 2009. (Version 1.2)

 

 

Important news from our consultations with IAA

 

Hi All
 

As outlined at our AGM in the Heritage Hotel regarding the IAA Discussion Paper on the possibility of non-ICAO Pilot Licence to cover FLPA’s and
Powered Parachute Microlights, we met with the IAA today regarding our ongoing consultations re Flyability and the use of trikes and FLPA Licences.
The NAMI where first in for consultations then IPPHA followed by IHPA.


We welcome the proposed changes to simplify the powered paragliding situation and to unify foot launch and Nano Trike Paragliding canopy flights
as one discipline. They highlighted that the minimum requirement would be 10 hours for single-seat and 15 hours dual seater (this will involve completion
of tasks in syllabus and they explained that general aviation had a minimum of 45 hours with an average of 73 hours being what was required to pass).
They have increased the weight range to 115kg for both ppg and phg (as we advised that modern hgs are getting heavier and the UK are seeking similar
weight allowances) and will not require IAA airworthiness certification.

 They have accepted that as long as a phg can demonstrate that it is capable
of being foot launched it may fly with safety wheels/skids however once you add a trike or fly under the bar i.e. Dragonfly it will be considered a
microlight.  The IAA have asked us to again advise that they accept FLPA phg training and ratings from BHPA registered schools etc and would continue
to advocate that all pilots wishing to fly FLPA phg to apply for licences.
These changes should ease the requirements for FLPA pilots and require no changes to the IPPHA syllabus, for those looking to convert to trikes
(>115kg) we are submitting a conversion syllabus for Nano Trikes for acceptance.  The IAA thanked us for our continued input and patience and
expect to be back in touch with us shortly for advice and technical input before signing this off.
 

Cheers
Committee IPPHA

Irish Powered Paragliding & Hang-gliding Association
www.paramotoring.ie