ULTRA LIGHT AIRCRAFTS IN THE NETHERLANDS
MAL (Announcement To Aviators) 01/93 26 May 93 Revised
Disclaimer
This announcement to aviators has been translated out of the Dutch
language. Although this text was translated with care, the translator does
not accept any responsibility for damage, claims or mistakes caused by
misinterpretations or mistranslations. This translation is meant to inform
about the Dutch regulations. This translation is not to be used for ultra
light flying in the Netherlands in practice. In that case we refer to the
origin Dutch version of MAL 01/93
Although it is possible to fly in the Netherlands with an ultra light
aircraft since 1981, most specific rules regarding ultra light aircrafts
are laid down in a system of exemptions. The general stipulations of the
Dutch aviation act and complementary Dutch aviation regulations are also
applicable for ultra light aircrafts because these aircrafts are aircrafts
in the meaning of the Dutch aviation act.
a. definition
An Ultra Light Aircraft: is a wingaircraft, with an maximum approved
totalmass less than 390 kg, an wingload less than 25 kg per square meter, a
maximum fuelcapacity less than 50 liter, that is designed for maximum two
occupants.
b. mass limitation
The maximum approved totalmass including safetybelts and approved
instruments contains both for an one sitter and for a two sitter 390 kg.
c. minimum design requirements
If the type of ultra light aircraft has been approved by the British CAA or
the German DAeC or DULV organizations, it is possible to obtain an
dispensation. On the other hand the design has to be based on: BCAR Section
S, CAP 482 (march '83, amended at 11 October 1988), that implicates among
others that the aircraft should answer with the definition mentioned under
a. The wingsurface may be hard or flexible and the stiringsystem may be
both conventional and alternative.
Next special conditions are applicable:
The usersmanual (flightmanual) has to be in the Dutch language. Point 2,
a(iv) of Subpart A of BCAR S is not applicable. fill in text point 1303:
"(3) an compass" An two-sitter ultra light aircraft has to be provided with
stickers on both side, reading clearly: ÒDIT ULTRA LICHTE VLIEGTUIG IS NIET
TOEGELATEN VOOR PASSAGIERS- EN RONDVLUCHTENÓ (This ultra light aircraft is
not admitted for passengers or roundtrips)
The level of airworthiness of an aircraft that meets to above requirements
is not sufficient to use the aircraft for transport of passengers or to use
the aircraft for aerialwork (except in case of soloflights or lessons), nor
it is sufficient for a certificate of airworthiness according
ICAO-standards. In the Netherlands some ultra light aircrafts are in use
for scientifical, checking-, and photoflights. See f.
Operational requirements:
The front sits has to be provide with 3- or 4-points
saftybelts
an clock or watch with hour, minutes and
seconds has to be in sight.
Otherwise all the general Dutch aviation requirements are applicable for
ultra light aircrafts.
d. sound
In short Ultra light aircrafts may not produce noise above 60 dB(A),
measured from ground, when the aircraft is flying full power at 150 meter
(method of measurement conform ICAO Annex 16 part 1 appendix 3, without
performance correction).
Two sitters with a noise emission of more than 60 dB(A) and and less than
63 dB(A) will be allowed for instruction purposes An excerpt of the
RLD-noise measurement report has to be on board the ultra light aircraft.
This excerpt contains all the information of the ultra light aircraft which
is essential from an acoustic viewpoint, including photos of admission,
exhaust, propeller etc. Noise measurements have to be performed by an team
of the KNVVL (Royal Dutch Association For Aviators) which works under the
supervision of the RLD (Government Aviation Service).
e. registration
An valid license of registration of the ultra light aircraft in the civil
aviation register is required. An registration distinguish mark with an
digit/letter/digit combination (for example: PH-1A1) will be assigned to
ultra light aircrafts. This distinguish mark has to be bear at bottom and
side of the aircraft according international regulations (ICAO Annex 7).
f. operational possibilities
The use of an ultra light aircraft is only allowed:
during the uniform daylightperiod and during VFR circumstances at grounds
with an explicit permit which is given by the RLD. At 10/2092 a permit is
given to the following aviationgrounds Budel, Lelystad, Onstwedde
(Stadskanaal) and the Maasvlakte (in Rotterdam). For the present (awaiting
the modifications of amvb ex article 14 of the Dutch aviation act) the
conditions in the announcement on page 30 of the Staatscourant 222 of
November 14, 1990 are valid for new grounds.
The possibilities of the use of ultra light aircrafts are for instruction
flights, privatflights, scientifical flights, checking flights and
photoflights. In a two sitter an qualification for ultra light flying is
required for both passengers In 1991 the municipal police of Helmond
experimented with the use of an ultra light aircraft. The conclusions of
the experiment are: when it is possible to buy an ultra light aircraft with
an JAR-VLA-certificate the minimum level of scientifical-, checking-, en
photoflights have to be changed into an VLA-certification for ultra light
aircrafts and the exemption for ultra light flying has to be changed into
an (European professional pilots certificate. These minimum requirements
will be matched to European permits for aerial work. Such permits will not
be provided with persons or organizations which will use ultra light
aircrafts for commercial purposes.
g. limitations of the use of ultra light aircrafts
1. Ultra light aircrafts are not also allowed in the following areas: an
CTR, unless the chief of the concerned traffic control service gives
preliminary written approval and agrees with the flightplan Within 4 km of
the aviation ground reference point of an aviation ground which do not have
an local traffic control service, or within an aviation ground traffic
control area, unless the Director LVB or the DGRLD have given permission to
land on or take off from this ground with an ultra light aircraft.; within
an distance of 3 km of an glider launching site within an bird sanctuary as
published in the Luchtvaartgids Nederland within an horizontal distance of
500 m of congested building, which are used as a residence for persons
within an horizontal distance of 500 m of people populations; this distance
may be 25 m during take off and landing; within an horizontal distance of
100 m of buildings which are used as a residence for persons; this distance
may be 25 m during take off and landing within an horizontal distance of
1500 m till the border of an stillness area as mentioned in the articles
119 and 123 of the Dutch noise pollution act Wet.
2. the maximum flightlevel which was specifically required for ultra light
aircrafts is abolished as per June 5, 1993. the minimum flightlevel is 150
m above the highest obstacle within 600 m;
3. aerobaticflight are prohibited hauling, throwing out materials and
spraying/sprinkling is prohibited wearing an helmet is obligated the users
limitations which are set by the instance of inspection during the approval
of the aircraft and or the manufacturer have to be taken into account (the
limitations are mentioned in the flight manual)
h. license requirements
1. student-pilot: 16 years or older; medical approved for gliding before
first solo flight and all flights following. it is only allowed to fly
under responsibility of an ULV-instructor; solo flights are approved only
within 5 km of area of which was taken off.
2. ultra light aircraft pilot: as 1. plus: flight experience: 35 flying
hours on wing aircraft. The minimum requirement of experience will be
reduced till 25 flying hours when the education will be done at an approved
flying-school. these hours may also contain flying hours on wing aircrafts
(not ultra light aircrafts), motorgliders, gliders and soargliders, but 20
hours have to be flew on ultra light aircrafts, soargliders or
(motor)gliders, of which 10 solo hours on ultra light aircrafts. Owners of
an valid privat-, professional- or commercial license only have to do
practical examine on sufficient level. theoretical examine (A or ultra
light aircrafts) The theoretical examine for privat-flyer (A) can be
declared valid with an exemption for flying an ultra light aircraft.
practical examine (apart for conventional or gravity/weightstiring) 10
hours on an ultra light aircraft have to be flew last 12 monthOs to keep
the license (exemption) valid. In case of both stiringsystems: 5 flying
hours on each system.
3. assistant-instructor (for an maximum period of 18 months): as 2. plus:
At least 125 flying hours flight experience as first pilot on wing
aircrafts, of which at least 50 flying hours on ultra light aircrafts 25
flying hours on ultra light aircrafts will be sufficient for pilots with an
valid qualification for flightinstruction. theoretical examine (oral) 18
years or older
4. ULV-instructor as 3. plus: practical examine
i. maintenance
Owners are responsible for the quality and maintenance of the ultra light
aircraft maintenance may be done by the owners, on the understanding that
the maintenance will satisfy the maintenance procedures of the manufacturer
RLDOs preliminary approvement is required by modifications on the aircraft
An modification request has to be provided with an positive statement of an
ground engineer or glider mechanical.
j. numbers
At the moment ( November 1992 ) there are 170 registered ultra light
aircrafts in the Netherlands. Since 1-1-83 approximately 380 persons have a
permit to fly with an ultra light aircraft. Grounds with approved
facilities for ultra light aircrafts are Lelystad, Budel, Onstwedde
(Stadskanaal) and the Maasvlakte (Rotterdam).
For more information please contact:
Rijksluchtvaartdienst address:
Directie Luchtvaartinspectie Gebouw de Meerveste I
Postbus 575 Saturnusstraat 71
2130 AN Hoofddorp Hoofddorp (t.o. NS-station)
Telephone: 02503-63131 and for this subject: 63111
For public during working hours from Monday till Friday from
09.00 till 12.00 and from 13.30 till 16.00. (UTC +1 and +2 during
summertime)
Overview of issue MAL 01/93:
origin date of issue 6 January 1993
first revision dd. 26 May 1993
93085
Many thanks to Edward Heck for this translation!
Click here for the ASCII version.
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Jon N. Steiger / jon@ultralighthomepage.com