New stage of ultralight aviation (ULM) in Spain: full implementation of RD 182/2026

• The new regulations bring with them modifications in the licenses and ratings of ULM pilots, as well as in the operation of these aircraft.
• To make it easier for ULM pilots to adopt the new regulations, AESA has published an informative circular with the main innovations in ultralight ratings and licenses.
• In terms of operations, innovations such as the possibility of operating above 10,000 feet, flying in controlled airspace, overflight of populated areas or strengthening safety in ULM flight schools stand out.

 

Madrid, 31 March 2026 (AESA)

Tomorrow, Wednesday 1 April, the articles of Royal Decree 182/2026 on ultralight pilot licences and ratings and the use of ultralight motorised aircraft (ULM) enter into force. This regulatory update, key for the ultralight aviation sector in Spain, introduces significant advances in both areas and adapts Spanish regulations to technological evolution, current operations and the European regulatory environment.

 

Modernisation of pilot licences and ratings

The new regulations also incorporate benefits in the regulation of licenses and ratings, both for pilots and for instructors and examiners. These amendments simplify the administrative burden and facilitate access to the activity.

• Undefined validity of ULM ratings, subject to compliance with recent experience requirements. This removes the obligation to revalidate every two years.
• Recognition of European licenses (LAPL, PPL, CPL, or ATPL) to pilot or give instruction in ULM, under equivalence, training and proficiency verification requirements.
• Obtaining the ULM examiner certificate recognizing a FCL (Flight Crew Licensing) pilot examiner certificate from any European country, provided that certain experience requirements are met.
• Access to the radio operator rating (RTC) without having to have the ULM pilot license in force, provided that the requirements to obtain it are met.
• Extension to 3 years of the period of validity of the instructor qualification, maintaining the conditions for its revalidation or renewal.
• An examiner may give a maximum of 50% of the flight instruction of a student whom he or she will subsequently evaluate in order to obtain or maintain a licence, rating or certificate.

For further details on developments concerning ULM ratings and licences, please consult here the information circular published by AESA.

 

A boost to ULM aircraft operations

The new Royal Decree modernizes the criteria applicable to operations with ultralight aircraft, expanding their flight possibilities and easing previous restrictions. Among the main novelties are:

• Access to controlled airspace, provided that the pilot's equipment and qualification requirements are met, which favours better integration with the rest of air traffic.
• Overflight in populated areas . The new regulations remove this ULM-specific ban, as long as it occurs under established safety requirements.
• Operations above 10,000 ft provided that the aircraft is supplied with oxygen.
• Reinforcement of safety in flight schools, with new obligations for training centres, updates of training programmes and procedures for event management.

These measures allow the adaptation of the national regulatory framework to technological developments in the sector and greater coherence with the European environment.

 

Benefits for the sector

The update of the regulatory framework seeks to boost the ultralight aviation sector in Spain. The measures implemented aim to ensure the safety and operational efficiency of the ULM, aligning national regulations with European standards and facilitating access to training and evaluation of pilots.

This regulation brings with it processes that imply a lower administrative burden, both for the Agency and for the ULM pilots, simplifying procedures and homogenizing requirements.

In this regard, Royal Decree 182/2026 also adds a provision on electronic documentation. This allows both ULMs and other aircraft of national competence to record their documentation - such as the logbook, aircraft logbook or engine or propeller booklets - in electronic format, provided that their accessibility, usability and reliability are ensured.

 

About AESA

AESA is the State body, attached to the Secretary of State for Transport of the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, which ensures that civil aviation standards are complied with in all aeronautical activity in Spain.

The Agency has the missions of Supervision, Inspection and Management of Air Transport, Air Navigation and Airport Security. It assesses risks to transport safety and has the power to impose penalties for breaches of civil aviation rules.