Many microlight pilots will use the analogy of a car driver over a motorcyclist when trying to explain the different set of challenges faced in flying a microlight aircraft. Whereas the car drive is unaware of every small detail such as minute cross winds, small road surface anomies and particle debris, the motorcyclist must add these considerations to his list of things he must maintain awareness of.

In a similar fashion, a microlight pilot will feel the effects of even the very slightest wind current, the weather will affect him drastically, even slight changes. He will also be flying much lower than a standard aircraft and may well come into contact with birds and insects which may impede his ability to pilot his aircraft. In general, a microlight pilot will exchange the need for precise navigation, heavy air traffic control regulation and limited access, for more immediate concerns such as weather, light and visibility. Many microlights are capable of taking off and landing with nothing more than a flat field to use as a runway, and are piloted over much shorter distances than conventional aircraft. Although it should be noted that some pilots have taken extremely long trips, including several circumnavigations of the globe, with nothing more than a sheet of PVC above them to keep them aloft.