Microlights and Para Motors

Microlights and paramotors open up the skies for those seeking the freedom of flight in its most accessible forms. Microlights, often known as ultralight aircraft, are small, lightweight machines that offer a simple yet thrilling way to experience powered flight. Their minimalistic design not only makes them economical and agile but also provides a unique connection with the landscape below.

Paramotors, on the other hand, combine the ease of paragliding with the power of a small engine. With a motor strapped to your back and a flexible wing overhead, paramotoring offers a liberating, open-air adventure where takeoff is possible from almost any open space. This form of flight emphasizes spontaneity and intimacy with nature, allowing pilots to glide effortlessly while feeling the pulse of the wind.

Classification of Sports Aircraft: Microlight and Paramotor Categories in India

The classification of sports aircraft under the Microlight and Paramotor category is based on flight characteristics, maximum take-off weight (MTOW), and international standards. In India, the Microlight and Paramotor Commission of India (MPCI) classifies these aircraft in accordance with DGCA flying license regulations.

These aircraft are categorized into Class 1 and Class 2, as outlined below:

Class 1 Aircraft (No prescribed DGCA flying syllabus)

These aircraft do not follow a formal flying syllabus under DGCA guidelines but are utilised for their recreational and training use.

• Paramotor (Foot Launch): Also known as Powered Paragliders, these aircraft combine the simplicity of paragliding with the range and autonomy of powered flight. They are launched by foot.
• Paramotor Trike: Paramotors equipped with a tricycle-style landing gear, suitable for solo or tandem flying.
• Nano Light / Ultralight Aircraft: Fixed-wing aircraft with a maximum unladen weight of 115 kg, designed for lightweight recreational flying.
• Powered Hang Glider: Aircraft using weight-shift control, with a minimum unladen weight above 115 kg and an MTOW of 600 kg (or 650 kg for seaplanes).

Class 2 Aircraft (Prescribed DGCA flying syllabus – Schedule II, Aircraft Rules, 1937)

These aircraft are subject to formal flight training requirements and DGCA-recognized licensing.

• Microlight Aircraft: Fixed-wing aircraft excluding hang gliders and para-planes, further classified as:
  • Single-Seat Microlight: MTOW not exceeding 330 kg with a wing area of at least 10 sq. meters, designed for one person.
  • Two-Seat Microlight: MTOW not exceeding 450 kg, also with a minimum 10 sq. meters wing area, designed for up to two persons.
• Light Sport Aircraft (LSA): Fixed-wing aircraft with a maximum certificated take-off mass between 450 kg and 600 kg (650 kg for seaplanes) and a stalling speed not exceeding 45 knots.
• Gyrocopter: A rotorcraft where the rotors are not engine-powered (except for initial spin-up). Lift is generated through autorotation, while forward propulsion is provided by an independent propeller system.

For more details on training, licensing, and approved facilities, email to enquiry@aeroclubofindia.in