§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the number of accidents and fatalities involving microlites for each year from 1981 to the current date;
(2) if he will list the regulations governing the safety of microlites;
(3) what provisions are planned to enhance the safety of microlites.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe Civil Aviation Authority, which is statutorily responsible for all aviation safety matters, has given me the following information
(a) The accidents and fatalities involving microlight aircraft for each year from 1981 to date are as follows:
Number of accidents Fatalities 1981 1 1 1982 26 10 1983 24 5 1984 14 5 1985 13 5 1986 16 2 (b) Microlight aircraft safety is governed by the Air Navigation Order 1985 (ANO) and the Rules of the Air and Air Traffic Control Regulations 1985. Specific requirements for microlight aircraft pilot licensing, airworthiness and manufacturing standards stemming from the ANO are published by the CAA in civil aviation publication No. 53 and British civil airworthiness requirements, sections S and A respectively.
(c) Following the recent removal of the lower weight limit of 70 kgs for the application of airworthiness requirements, the CAA has no plans at present to introduce any new regulations directed specifically at microlight aeroplanes.