5 in 13 transition

In accordance with the Air Navigation Order 2016 (‘the Order’), microlight and SLMG class ratings (regardless of the licence they are included in) are required to be maintained on a 24-month validity period cycle, as set out in Part 3 of Schedule 8.

Since 2016, the UK CAA has published an exemption  to allow the holder of a United Kingdom pilot’s licence, which includes the privileges of a United Kingdom Private Pilot’s Licence (Aeroplanes) and has endorsed  a microlight or SLMG class rating, to revalidate those ratings in accordance with the  arrangements previously set out in Section 1 of Part C of Schedule 7 of the Air Navigation Order 2009 (‘the 2009 Order’). To qualify for the exemption, the microlight or SLMG rating must have been issued prior to 1^st February 2008.

These previous arrangements in the 2009 Order allowed the revalidation of a microlight or SLMG class rating by showing logbook evidence of at least 5 hours of flight experience in any capacity in the preceding 13 months.

As part of the Licensing Simplification and Training project, the UK CAA decided to cease this historic arrangement and align revalidation requirements for the SEP, TMG/SLMG and microlight aeroplane ratings across all licences. The exemption has therefore been renewed for a final time to allow pilots to transition to the current revalidation requirements in Schedule 8 of the 2016 Order.

How to transition your rating

At the next anniversary date of the revalidation of the microlight or SLMG class rating(s), a person, authorised by the CAA to sign certificates of this kind, must ensure that the pilot, whose rating is due for revalidation complies with the revalidation arrangements below and must then issue a Certificate of Revalidation which is appropriate, issued and valid in accordance with Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Schedule 8, which is detailed in paragraph b) below, for the specific class rating for a period of 24 months to the end of the calendar month of the existing validity period.

Requirements

a. A certificate of revalidation required by Article 157 for a microlight class rating or a SLMG (TMG) class rating must be signed by a person authorised by the CAA to sign certificates of this kind and certify—

1. the rating to which the certificate relates;
2. that on a specified date the holder has satisfied the relevant requirements for issue in accordance with Table A of Part 2, Schedule 8 of the Order;
3. the specified date; and
4. the date on which the period of validity of the certificate expires in accordance with sub-paragraph (3).

b. The experience requirements for the issue of a certificate of revalidation for a class rating in accordance with paragraph 2(b) of Table A are that the holder has, as a pilot in aeroplanes for which there is a class rating included in the licence and within the period of validity of the current certificate of revalidation for the rating—

1. flown at least 12 hours which includes at least 6 hours as pilot in command;
2. completed at least 12 take-offs and at least 12 landings;
3. flown at least six hours in the 12 months preceding the expiry date of the rating;
4. undertaken at least one hour of flying training in an aeroplane with an instructor entitled to give instructions on aeroplanes of that class

Further information

The objective of the exemption ORS4 1633, is to allow holders of a pilot’s licence for aeroplanes (with the exception to the NPPL(A)) issued in accordance with the Order, which has endorsed on the licence a valid Microlight or Self Launching Motorglider (SLMG) Class Rating issued before 1 February 2008, to revalidate this rating(s) using the previous ‘5 flight hours in the preceding 13 months’ flight experience and validity arrangement.

‘Appropriate experience’ shall mean 5 flight hours in any capacity, pilot in command, pilot in command under supervision and/or pilot under training within the existing validity period of the certificate. The flight experience can be amassed in any aeroplane or motorglider with at least 1 flight hour in the class of aeroplane to be revalidated. For example, if a pilot amasses 4 flight hours in an aeroplane, then at least 1 flight hour in a microlight or motorglider, depending on which class rating is being revalidated, will be required.

The exemption was reissued for a final 13-month period until 31 October 2026.

When the pilot who is seeking revalidation of their class ratings, presents their logbook to the Examiner (authorised person), they will need to show evidence of meeting the 5 hours in 13 months revalidation arrangements.

The authorised person will then issue a separate Certificate of Revalidation page, for 24 months to the end of the calendar month of the existing validity period.

For example, if the pilot’s Microlight class rating expires on the 30 November 2025, the Examiner will check the pilot’s logbook to ensure that they have the necessary flight experience for the 5 hours in preceding 13 months.

The Examiner will then issue a new separate Certificate of Revalidation page, for the Microlight Class Rating, for a period of 24 months until 30 November 2027.

The Examiner should inform the pilot that they now need to comply with the revalidation requirements in the Order, which are detailed in paragraph b) above.

The Examiner should then complete the form SRG3108 or the SRG1107, notifying CAA that the class rating has been revalidated.

Certificate of Revalidation cards are available to Examiners from either the CAA by emailing fclweb@caa.co.uk or from the British Microlight Aircraft Association.

The exemption will not be renewed, and all pilots are reminded that they must comply with the current requirements set out in The Order by 31 October 2026.