A Pilot Resource > All About Ultralights > FAQs on getting started flying an Ultralight Aircraft

all about ultralights.jpg (19581 bytes)

Ultralight Aircraft FAQs
Questions you may have about getting started in flying an Ultralight:
  1. What is an Ultralight Aircraft?
  2. What is an Ultralight Trainer?
  3. What is a "Fat Ultralight" Aircraft?
  4. What is a Light Sport Aircraft?
  5. What is a Sport Pilot?
  6. What are the different types of Ultralight Aircraft?
  7. What can you do with an Ultralight Aircraft?
  8. Is an Ultralight Aircraft safe?
  9. What happens if the engine quits?
  10. Is flying an Ultralight Aircraft scary?
  11. How much does an Ultralight Aircraft cost?
    And, how long will it last?
  12. What do you need to know when purchasing your first Ultralight Aircraft?
  13. How do you get started?
  14. Do you need a license to fly?
  15. What should you look for when signing up for a lesson?

1. What is an Ultralight Aircraft?
Ultralights are defined and operate under simple guidelines specified in FAR Part 103. A summary of the rule is provided here:

  • Single occupant only for recreation or sport purposes with 5 gallons maximum fuel.

  • Unpowered free flight empty weight under 155 pounds or powered weighs under 254 excluding floats or safety devices.

  • 55 knots maximum calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight, power-off maximum stall speed 24 knots calibrated.

  • Can be inspected by FAA to make sure it meets criteria as an ultralight.

  • Vehicle not required to meet any airworthiness certification standards

  • Pilot not required to meet any aeronautical knowledge, age, or experience requirements to operate or to have airman or medical certificates.

  • Not required to be registered or to bear markings of any type.

  • No operation is allowed that creates a hazard to other persons or property.

  • Only operate between sunrise and sunset unless equipped with a suitable anti collision light extending flight time to twilight periods 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset.

  • Yield the right-of-way to all aircraft and not create a collision hazard with any aircraft.

  • Do not operate an over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons.

  • All operations are conducted in uncontrolled airspace unless prior authorization from the ATC facility to operate in within Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace, or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport.

  • Must comply with flight restrictions in the proximity of certain areas designated by Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and Temporary Flight Restrictions (TRF).

  • No person may operate an ultralight vehicle except by visual reference with the surface.

  • Visibility and cloud clearances similar to general aviation airspace. (see www.asa2fly.com for the specific FAR 103)

From the freedom to fly unregulated with a few public safety limitations the industry has successfully self regulated. However, common sense and the need for training was well recognized and the ultralight training exemptions were born to meet this need. Three national organizations obtained training exemptions for two place ultralight powered training.

The two place trainers have evolved into safe and efficient aircraft which now meet the criteria for new Light Sport Aircraft. A similar exemption was also granted for unpowered free flight by the United States Hang Gliding Association (USHGA) unpowered tandem instruction.

The three powered FAA two place exemptions plus the unpowered two place training exemptions have been developed and evolved training programs and operated successfully for decades.

BACK TO LIST OF QUESTIONS

2. What is an Ultralight Trainer?**
Two Place Ultralight Trainers (that will be phased into Light Sport Aircraft) These National Organizations received training exemptions from the FAA for part 103 to operate two place trainers.

  • EAA - Experimental Aircraft Association
  • USUA - United States Ultralight Association
  • ASC - Aero Sports Connection

Each national organization ultralight training exemption is slightly different. Details are found on their web site. The two place ultralight trainers organizations follow these guidelines:

The exemptions permit individuals authorized by the national organizations to give instruction in two place powered ultralight vehicles. These trainers will be phased into Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) with the final date effecting them is January 31, 2010, where it is the last day you can use an ultralight trainer converted to a E-LSA for training compensation.

Some significant points for these ultralight trainers under this exemption.

  • Each operation must comply with all sections of part 103 except § 103.1(a) and (e).

  • Maximum empty weight of not more than 496 pounds but authorized weight exclusions for safety devices and floats.

  • Maximum fuel capacity of not more than 10 U.S. gallons.

  • not capable of more than 86 MPH (75 knots) calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight, and have a power-off stall speed that does not exceed 40 MPH (35 knots) calibrated airspeed

  • Must permanently display the placard: "To be used for instruction only."

  • Flights carrying two occupants must be used for instruction only and one occupant must hold rating by a national organization holding a ultralight training exemption.

  • Single-occupant flights in two-seat ultralight vehicles can be conducted for ferrying, maintenance test flights, new vehicle checkouts, and student solo instruction.

  • The instructor must inform the student that the flight is conducted under an exemption granted by the FAA and that the FAA does not establish certification standards for powered ultralight vehicles, pilots, or instructors.

  • Each individual must provide the national organization with specific information about the operation and students plus know and understand the training exemption regulations, limitations, and responsibility.

  • Any incident, accident, or mechanical malfunction of the airframe, drive train, or engine must be reported to the national organizations.

BACK TO LIST OF QUESTIONS

3. What is a "Fat Ultralight" Aircraft?**
"Fat Ultralight" is industry term used for single place ultralights weighing in more than 254 pounds weight limit for powered ultralights. These qualify as light sport aircraft and will become E-LSA similar to the Two place ultralight trainers.

** August 31, 2007 - Last day that an E-LSA certificate will be issued to Ultralight Trainers and Fat Ultralights. To learn more about Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft go to www.All-About-Sport-Pilot.com.

BACK TO LIST OF QUESTIONS

4. What is a Light Sport Aircraft?
 To learn about Light Sport Aircraft go to www.All-About-Sport-Pilot.com.

BACK TO LIST OF QUESTIONS

5. What is a Sport Pilot?
New Sport Pilot Airman Certificate for operating any aircraft that meet the definition of a light-sport aircraft. To learn more about Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft go to www.All-About-Sport-Pilot.com.

BACK TO LIST OF QUESTIONS

6. What are the different types of ultralight aircraft?
A simple way to organize aircraft is by weight. The FAA has determined simple guidelines that define the aircraft categories, with more stringent regulations for the higher speed and higher weight aircraft. So the higher the momentum, or speed and weight, and the more complicated the aircraft, the more FAA regulations are applied.

Hang Glider
Paraglider
Powered Paraglider
Powered Parachute
Trike
Three-Axis Control Aircraft

BACK TO LIST OF QUESTIONS

7. What can you do with an Ultralight?
Average recreational pilots, routinely stay aloft for 3 hours or more, soar to altitudes of 15,000' and travel cross-country for great distances.

BACK TO LIST OF QUESTIONS

8. Is an ultralight safe?
Some Ultralights have been tested for 6 G-forces positive and 3 G's negative, that's much higher than most conventional airplanes.

BACK TO LIST OF QUESTIONS

9. What happens if the engine quits?
It isn't a problem with proper care and training. Part of your pilot training is to deal with "engine out" appropriately. You are also trained to always have a landing site within easy gliding distance.    

For example, the trike is a powered hang glider designed for gliding with or without power. You can turn off the engine and still glide safely down to the ground.

BACK TO LIST OF QUESTIONS

10. Is flying an Ultralight scary?
An Ultralight is an exciting way to fulfill your dream of flight. Even if you have a fear of heights, it will rarely be a factor, since there is no sensation of falling.

BACK TO LIST OF QUESTIONS

11. How much does an Ultralight cost? How long will one last?
A new Ultralight will cost somewhere between $3,000 and $30,000. After four years of fairly active usage and exposure to UV light from the sun, the sail cloth may be in need of replacement. This of course varies with how you care for your wing. It’s easy to test your sailcloth for strength and thus determine your need to replace your trike wing long before it becomes unsafe. Most pilots who get into the sport also purchase a two-way radio system, helmets, instruments for an additional $1000. - $1500. altogether.

Good used equipment is often available for half as much though it will have a shorter life-span. In addition, because the sport is evolving rapidly, newer Ultralights can have significantly better performance and behavior than older ones.

BACK TO LIST OF QUESTIONS

12. What do you need to know when purchasing your first Ultralight?
First, you need to know how to fly. No would-be pilot should purchase an Ultralight before learning at least the basics of flying. It is your instructor’s job to help you select your first Ultralight. Different aircraft have different characteristics; your instructor will match the aircraft to your particular interests. Develop a solid relationship with an instructor you trust before purchasing equipment. "Good deals" generally end up costing the naive new pilot a great deal of money. Most instructors rely on referrals and repeat business so they are very determined to help you make the right decisions. When purchasing equipment, a responsible dealer will always require some proof of certified rating.

BACK TO LIST OF QUESTIONS

13. How do you get started?
The best way to start is with a tandem introductory flight. This gives you a taste of flying. Once you have seen what it is like then you can sign up for tandem lessons until you're ready to solo. Then once you solo, you build up time and experience to become a pilot. The basic techniques of ultralight flying -- takeoff, turning, landing -- are fairly easy to learn. The length of the course is designed to compensate for weather constraints and different learning curves. You must be 16 years of age.

These videos are perfect introductions and tell you everything about getting into the sport.

Sport Pilot
Starting Hang Gliding
Starting Paragliding
Starting Powered Paragliding
Starting Powered Parachuting
Starting Triking
Be A Pilot, Learn to Fly a Fixed Wing Aircraft

BACK TO LIST OF QUESTIONS

14. Do you need a license to fly?
Ultralights are regulated under the Federal Aviation Regulations Section 103 and therefore a license is not required to fly an ultralight. So, in essence, triking is a self-regulated sport under the auspices of the Aero Sports Connection (ASC), the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), and the United States Ultralight Association (USUA).

To keep it self-regulated, pilots and instructors alike adhere to the policies and guidelines of these organizations. This program consists of a specific set of flying skills corresponding to a series of pilot proficiency ratings, each of which carries a set of recommended operating limitations.

Once the FAA Sport Pilot proposal is phased in, a simple FAA Sport Pilot airman's certificate will be required to fly a Light Sport Aircraft. You can acquire one with a valid driver's license to prove medical fitness, plus some ground and flight training, a simple written test, and flight test..

BACK TO LIST OF QUESTIONS

15. What should I look for when signing up for a lesson?
When selecting a school for flight instruction, first make sure that the instructors are certified by one of these organizations:

FAA - Federal Aviation Administration
ASC - Aero Sports Connection
EAA - Experimental Aircraft Association
USHGA - U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Assoc.
USUA - United States Ultralight Association

Things to look for include:

  • What ratings do the instructors have? (The highest rating is called Advanced Tandem Instructor.)

  • Does the school have airstrips or launch sites to accommodate more than one wind direction and thus more flying days?

  • What is the safety record of the school and of the instructors?

  • How many students has the school taught, how many of its students receive certification each year?

  • Does the school operate full-time to fit your schedule?

    •

BACK TO LIST OF QUESTIONS

Weather to Fly is a trademark owned by Paul Hamilton. All rights reserved. No claim is made to the exclusive right to use "weather", apart from the mark as shown. Contact Us with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright 2002 - 2007 Loretta Hamilton. All rights reserved. Last modified: August 03, 2008

What's an ultralight?

Do I need a license to fly an ultralight?

How high can ultralights fly?

How far can ultralights fly?

How much do ultralights cost?

Are ultralights available for rental?

How safe are ultralights?

What, if any, restrictions does the FAA place on ultralights?

Do pilots design and build their own aircraft?

Can ultralight pilots carry passengers?

 

What's an ultralight?

An ultralight is a lightweight aircraft subject to minimal regulation by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), the U.S. government's aviation regulatory agency.  The FAA defines an ultralight primarily by defining limits on weight, top speed, and fuel capacity.   The spirit of the definition requires that an ultralight be a low speed, short range, lightweight aircraft.   This makes ultralights impractical for commercial purposes but well-suited for recreation.  (Back to the top)

Do I need a license to fly an ultralight?

Legally, you don't need any kind of license to fly an ultralight.  The ultralight flying community is self-regulated by a number of organizations, including Aero Sports Connection (ASC), the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), and the U.S. Ultralight Association (USUA).  These agencies have similar training guidelines, each of which results in a pilot certificate with that agency.  Any responsible airpark operator, aircraft seller, or pilot will require that you have a pilot certificate with one of these organizations before allowing you to fly at his airpark or in his aircraft.  The FAA doesn't require you to hold any type certification, but common sense does call for proper training.  (Back to the top)

How high can ultralights fly?

Ultralights typically fly below 5,000' AGL (above ground level), but they can climb higher. The FAA requires ultralights to stay below 18,000' MSL (above sea level), but a pilot needs supplemental oxygen to breathe at altitudes above ~12,000' MSL, anyway. Most ultralights don't have in-flight mixture or propeller pitch controls, so as the air thins with altitude the aircraft's ability to climb decreases. Ideal performance is typically in the 0-3,000' AGL range, and that's where ultralights typically fly. For most, it isn't worth the extra engine strain to climb to higher altitudes.  (Back to the top)

How far can ultralights fly?

A typical ultralight has a range of about 100 miles. This assumes a five-gallon fuel capacity (the maximum allowed by the FAA), a cruise speed of 50 mph, and a cruise fuel consumption rate of about 2.5 gallons per hour. The FAA allows an exemption for two-place trainer aircraft flown by certified ultralight flight instructors, allowing a ten-gallon fuel capacity. Thus, a trainer aircraft may have as much as a 200 mile range.  (Back to the top)

How much do ultralights cost?

An average single-place, ready-to-fly ultralight will cost $10-15K.  A "Cadillac" ultralight can cost closer to $20K new, while a "no frills" model may only cost $8K new.  Many come in kit form, requiring a few hundred man-hours' assembly, for a few thousand dollars less than the fully assembled model.  There are plenty of used ultralights for sale, some at a significant savings off the new price, but use extreme caution buying a used aircraft from an individual seller.  If you simply can't afford a safe, dependable aircraft, save your money until you can.  BEWARE: With automobiles, a cheap old "junker" will eventually cost you a stranding, but with aircraft, a cheap old "junker" may cost you your life.  Buy the best equipment you can afford, and if you decide to buy used, be sure to have someone you trust check out the aircraft before making a deal.  We highly recommend the use of emergency parachute systems, so try to budget a ~$2K parachute system into your aircraft purchase.  Also, whatever you buy, get the proper flight instruction BEFORE flying it, and have your flight instructor present for your first solo flight in your aircraft.  Check out our new and used aircraft for sale.  (Back to the top)

Are ultralights available for rental?

Generally, ultralights are not readily avialable for rental.  The ultralight flying community is too sparse in most locations for rental operations to be practical.  We're considering making ultralights available to you for rental, though, so contact us if you're interested.  If we know you're interested, we'll do what we can to help you get airborne.  (Back to the top)

How safe are ultralights?

An ultralight is only as safe as its pilot. Because there's less regulation of aircraft safety standards and pilot proficiency standards for ultralights, the burden of safety lies squarely on the pilot's shoulders. A pilot should exercise good safety by maintaining his aircraft in good operating condition, by choosing to fly only in safe conditions, by being constantly aware of his situation while flying, by flying with a helmet and an emergency parachute, and by exercising simple common sense about his flying. Ultralight aircraft themselves have excellent safety records. The element of an imperfect (human) pilot is by far the most common factor in all aviation-related accidents.  (Back to the top)

What, if any, restrictions does the FAA place on ultralights?

The following are summaries of FAA-imposed regulations on ultralight activity.  For unabbreviated FAA regulations, see Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 103.  Single-place ultralights can carry a maximum of five gallons of fuel.  Two-place ultralights can carry up to ten gallons.  A single-place ultralight can have a maximum empty (no pilot, fuel, floats, or parachute) weight of 254 pounds.  For a two-place ultralight, the weight limit is increased to 496 pounds.  A single-place ultralight's top speed in level flight can't exceed 55 knots (63 mph), and its stall speed can't exceed 24 knots (28 mph).  A two-place ultralight's top speed in level flight can be as high as 75 knots (86 mph), and its stall speed can be as high as 35 knots (40 mph).  Ultralights aren't allowed to fly over crowded areas, over open-air assemblies of people, in certain controlled airspace, or outside daylight hours, and they must yield the right of way to all other air traffic.  Lastly, ultralights can only be used for recreational purposes.  (Back to the top)

Do pilots design and build their own aircraft?

A rare few design and build their own aircraft.  Most purchase an aircraft in "kit" (anywhere from a crate of parts to a mostly assembled aircraft) form or purchase a new or used fully assembled aircraft.  If your passion is building, you might want to buy one in kit form.  If your passion is flying (not building), then you may prefer to pay a little extra for an assembled aircraft rather than invest several hundred hours building your own.  In my estimate, your time is more valuable sacking groceries for a supermarket than building your own aircraft, except for the joy and increased understanding of your aircraft the process of building gives you.  (Back to the top)

Can ultralight pilots carry passengers?

Generally, an ultralight is a single-person aircraft.  The FAA makes an exception to allow two-place (two-person) aircraft and flight, but there are certain restrictions accompanying the exception.  Most importantly, the pilot must be a certified instructor by one of the ultralight regulatory organizations (ASC, EAA, or USUA), and the passenger must be a student pilot.  More flight experience, training, and testing are required in order to become an instructor (to be able to carry student passengers).  For example, to become an ASC fixed wing instructor, you must (1) log 40 hours in a fixed wing ultralight, (2) then take 15 hours of dual instruction from an instructor and earn his recommendation, (3) pass two written exams and one oral exam, and (4) take and pass a check ride with an Advanced Flight Instructor.  The exemption costs $200 for two years, and you must maintain ASC membership ($40 per year) during those two years for the exemption to be valid.  Regular refresher courses may be required to maintain the two-place training exemption.  (Back to the top)