Ultralight Planes
With the price of a private plane and its associated maintenance costs far beyond the means of most of us, it is nice that there is another option – ultralight planes. An ultralight aircraft will only set you back between $3,000 and $30,000 depending on the type and whether you buy a new one, a used one or build one yourself from plans or a kit.
There are many aircraft on the market that call themselves ultralights, yet many of them do not meet the guidelines specified by Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR part 103). The FAR definition includes the following:
- Holds no more than five gallons of fuel
- Holds only one occupant
- Is used for recreation or sport purposes
- If powered, no more than 254 pounds empty weight; unpowered must be under 155 pounds
- Cannot exceed 55 knots maximum calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight
Furthermore, pilots of such aircraft must adhere to the following regulations:
- Permit inspection by FAA at any time to ensure it meets ultralight criteria
- Operate between sunrise and sunset only unless equipped with proper anti-collision equipment which extends flight time to 30 minutes before sunrise or after sunset.
- Do not operate over any cities, towns, or open gatherings of people.
- Yield right-of-way to all other aircraft and not interfere with their safety.
- Do not operate in flight restricted areas or controlled airspace.
- Do not operate when visibility is such that ground cannot be seen.
By following both the regulations for the aircraft and for its operation, the owner does not need to do the following:
- register the aircraft or put any markings on it
- meet any age, experience or training requirements
- be sure vehicle meets any airworthiness certification standards
It is interesting to note here that although the FAA does not require a pilot of an ultralight to have a license or training, the industry itself has imposed training through various means. For example, most manufacturers will either insist on seeing training evidence before selling one of their aircrafts or will offer a discounted price to those that have certification. Many will even provide training either as part of their package or at an additional fee.
Even though training is not a requirement, it would certainly be foolhardy to go up in an aircraft without knowing what you are doing. Much like the training that goes into learning to drive a car before you get behind the wheel, there is much to know and understand about flying ultralight planes.
The recommended method for getting this training is at a flight school where the instructors are certified by one of the following:
- USUA – United States Ultralight Association
- EAA – Experimental Aircraft Association
- FAA – Federal Aviation Administration
- ACS – Aero Sports Connection
Also be sure to find out the instructors’ ratings and safety record. You should get as much instruction as possible to not only fly the aircraft but also to know what to do if something goes wrong. After all, a good landing is one you walk away from but a great one is one in which you can fly the same plane yet another day!