Ultralight aviation is a segment of aviation that is permitted in the United States of America by the FAA as long as certain weight, speed, and fuel capacity restrictions are observed. The governing regulation is FAR 103, and allows single seat aircraft of less than 5 US gallons (19 L) fuel capacity, empty weight of less than 254 pounds (115 kg), and a top speed of 55 knots (102 km/h), to fly over unpopulated areas during daylight hours. Most ultralights can be flown safely only under ideal weather conditions.
No licence or training is required by law, but training is highly advisable. Conversely ultralights are simple to fly. A novice can be soloed with radio assistance from a qualified instructor in 2 hours for some ultralight types (powered parachutes). Other types require much more extensive instruction and practice.
There are several classes of aircraft (officially termed "vehicles" by the FAA)
Powered parachutes - cart mounted engines with parafoil wing
Powered hang gliders - cart mounted engines with V shaped hang glider-like wing. The aircraft is controlled by shifting the body weight by pushing against a horizontal bar.
Fixed wing ultralight - regular airplane configuration.Conventional 3 axis control for yaw, pitch and roll. Limitation on weight,engine size fuel capacity and wing loading ensure they are fairly slow and safe.
Gyrocopter - rotary wing with cart mounted engine (see autogyro)
Microlight training and licensing are mandatory in most other countries such as the UK, Australia and France.
In other countries, for instance Australia, two-seat aircraft with a maximum weight of up to 544 kg are allowed in the "Ultralight" category.
Ultralight aircraft are generally called "microlight aircraft" in the UK, and "ULMs" in France.
External Link
Ultralights and Terrorism (http://globalguerrillas.typepad.com/globalguerrillas/2004/05/global_guerrill_1.html)
Flying ultralights is not a step up or down, but a step into a completely different and exciting sector of the flying community.
Part 103 rules specifically say that an "ultralight vehicle is a vehicle that is used or intended to be used for manned operation in the air by a single occupant." Two-seat ultralight trainers can only be flown by an instructor operating under an FAA exemption.
The only exceptions are ultralight students signed off to solo in the two-seater in which they have taken training from an instructor who holds an FAA exemption.
Ultralightaviation is a segment of aviation that is permitted in the United States of America by the FAA as long as certain weight, speed, and fuel capacity restrictions are observed.
In other countries, for instance Australia, two-seat aircraft with a maximum weight of up to 544 kg are allowed in the "Ultralight" category.
Ultralight aircraft are generally called "microlight aircraft" in the UK, and "ULMs" in France.
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