Posted: 9/17/2008 1:03:32 PM EDT
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Is anyone here into microlights, or own one? What kind of costs am I looking at to get setup and legally fly one? I have been doing a small amount of research and they seem to be the easiest and cheapest way to get into flying. I mostly just want to look at the scenery, take another person flying sometimes, and maybe go a distance that would take 30 mins or so in a car. Any advice or input? No one in my family flies, and I don't have any friends that fly, so I don't know for sure where to start. Thanks for any help, much appreciated. |
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The rules for ultralights (AKA microlights) are found in 14 CFR 103 (FAR 103). Here's some pertinent excerpts: 103.1 Applicability. This part prescribes rules governing the operation of ultralight vehicles in the United States. For the purposes of this part, an ultralight vehicle is a vehicle that: (a) Is used or intended to be used for manned operation in the air by a single occupant; (b) Is used or intended to be used for recreation or sport purposes only; (c) Does not have any U.S. or foreign airworthiness certificate; and (d) If unpowered, weighs less than 155 pounds; or (e) If powered: (1) Weighs less than 254 pounds empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices which are intended for deployment in a potentially catastrophic situation; (2) Has a fuel capacity not exceeding 5 U.S. gallons; (3) Is not capable of more than 55 knots calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight; and (4) Has a power-off stall speed which does not exceed 24 knots calibrated airspeed. § 103.3 Inspection requirements. (a) Any person operating an ultralight vehicle under this part shall, upon request, allow the Administrator, or his designee, to inspect the vehicle to determine the applicability of this part. (b) The pilot or operator of an ultralight vehicle must, upon request of the Administrator, furnish satisfactory evidence that the vehicle is subject only to the provisions of this part. § 103.5 Waivers. No person may conduct operations that require a deviation from this part except under a written waiver issued by the Administrator. § 103.7 Certification and registration. (a) Notwithstanding any other section pertaining to certification of aircraft or their parts or equipment, ultralight vehicles and their component parts and equipment are not required to meet the airworthiness certification standards specified for aircraft or to have certificates of airworthiness. (b) Notwithstanding any other section pertaining to airman certification, operators of ultralight vehicles are not required to meet any aeronautical knowledge, age, or experience requirements to operate those vehicles or to have airman or medical certificates. (c) Notwithstanding any other section pertaining to registration and marking of aircraft, ultralight vehicles are not required to be registered or to bear markings of any type. Note that you can't take someone for a flight- they're meant to be flown by a single occupant. There are some that will tell you to get a "training ultralight", but that whole 'nother can of worms. Check out USUA for some specifics. |
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Thanks for the link you posted. From what I am reading, a license is not required for a single seater but training is strongly advised. Taking into account the time in training, how much harder would it be to get a cert. for recreational flying? I'm seeing 10-20 hours of training is recommended for an ultralight, but how long does an airman cert. take ? 2-seater ultralights must be registered with FAA and have a federal airworthiness certificate, is that a big hassle, or no? One other thing. Is there a limit on altitude that these can legally be flown? I looked around, but haven't seen it mentioned yet. Thanks |
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I own a 368lb airplane and it's a blast to fly. It's still 114lbs over the "legal" ultralight weight. 254lbs is light enough of a limit that there are very few legal ultralights. while there are some good designs out there you'll find that airworthiness and/or power are limited when trying to be legal to make the weight. If you want to take a passenger then you are out of the ultralight field altogether as a second seat is not allowed. Thus, you are looking at a lightplane and will need a license. The new Sport Pilot license is right up your alley as it sounds like the flying you want to do. Unlike an ultralight you have to take certified training and take some tests but thats a good thing. There are lot's of nice machines on the market that have been built as by private individuals that will do the trick for 10K and up for an airworthy two seater. Factory built versions will be 80K and up. If you are good with you hands the best thing to do is buy a kit and build it yourself. You can then do your own maintenance and your overall operating costs are low. Go to Barnstormers.com and let us know what looks interesting... Edit, as for the altitude part, I think that you can go up to 10,000 feet. But anything more than 1500 feet at less than 100 mph and I fear getting run over. |
Lots of nice stuff at Barnstormers.  I think it would be best for me to start with just maybe a one seat trike (Like this bt one seat), just to get my feet wet and learn. The simplicity of a trike looks like a big plus too. Do most kits have everything I would need(gauges, etc.) and good quality parts? Thanks |