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SSDR WEIGHT LIMITS EXPLAINED

Definition of a single-seat Microlight aeroplane
Legally, a single-seat Microlight aeroplane must:

Be an aeroplane. This includes powered parachutes
and self-launching motor gliders, but does not
include gliders (including self-sustaining gliders), rotary-wing aircraft (helicopters and gyroplanes), or lighter-than-air machines (balloons and airships).
Only have a single-seat, and must only be flown
with one person ? the pilot ? on board.

Not take-off weighing more than the single-seat
Microlight weight limit. This is 300 kg for a
landplane, 315 kg for a landplane with an airframe mounted total recovery parachute system, and 330 kg for a seaplane or amphibian.

Have a stall speed (or minimum flying speed) not
exceeding 35 knots calibrated airspeed. This is
equivalent to 40 mph or 65 kph.

Maximum take-off weight
Although there is a legal limit (of 300, 315 or 330
kg) for the maximum take-off weight of a
single-seat Microlight, be aware that this is very much an upper limit.
The maximum take-off weight specified by the design
er should be respected. If the designer's stated
maximum take-off weight is exceeded, structural safety margins may be reduced below those intended by the designer, and the aircraft?s handling may be adversely affected.
Some aeroplanes might require their maximum take-
off weight to be reduced ? below the Microlight upper limit and the designer?s value ? in order to meet the Microlight stall speed requirement.

Grandfathered 390kg amateur-built single-seat Micro
lights
The UK Microlight definition includes 390kg amateur
-built single-seat Microlights that were issued
with a Permit to Fly prior to 1st January 2003. This clause was added when the UK single-seat Microlight weight limit was reduced to 300kg from 390kg, a common weight limit with two-seaters ) so as not to disadvantage existing single-seat Microlights.
Qualifying aircraft can continue to fly at up to
390kg.
Note: a two-seat amateur-built Microlight issued
with a Permit to Fly prior to 1st January 2003 (now modified to be a single-seat Microlight) cannot take advantage of this concession.

Maximum take-off weight and project feasibility
The vast majority of two-seat Microlights have a
maximum take-off weight that exceeds the legal maximum take-off weight for a single-seat Microlight. Therefore, to qualify as a single-seat Microlight, such aeroplanes must have their maximum
take-off weight REDUCED. Such an aeroplane will
only make a feasible single-seat Microlight if it has a low enough empty weight to carry the pilot and sufficient fuel without exceeding its maximum take-off weight.
Example: consider a Pegasus Quantum with a Rotax
582 that weighs 195kg without occupants and fuel. To
qualify as a single-seat Microlight its maximum empty weight has to be reduced from 409kg to 300kg. The owner weighs 85kg (including clothes, flying suit, helmet and headset), which leaves 20 kg (= 300 - 85 - 195) for fuel. The density of MOGAS is 0.72kg per litre, so the owner can take -off with, at most, 28 litres (= 20 / 0.72) of fuel on board.

NO AIRCRAFT CAN HAVE THE MTOW INCREASED BEYOND THE MTOW SET WHILST IT WAS UNDER A PERMIT TO FLY.