Question about ultralight aircrafts?

Question

I was wondering about ultralight aircrafts. If I bought one would I have to get it regestered. Would I have to let the FAA know when I take off and land and where I am going. Does the rule that you must be 1000 ft vertical and/or horizontal from any building apply for ultralights. I also heard that you may not have a passenger unless you are a certifyed ultralight pilot trainer, is that true?

Answer 1

The ultralight 2-seat is a thing of the past as of January 31, 2008 unless you can apply for the exception by one of the two organizations that applied.

The big factor is weight 254 pounds empty weight; if your ultralight weighs more than 245 pounds (fat ultralight) it would be considered an unregistered aircraft in accordance with Title 49 Part 21 Section 21.191.

There is a lot of two-seat ultralight for sale real cheap because they don’t meet the FAA rules.  Don’t buy a 2-place ultralight unless it has a N-number assigned to it from the FAA.

I have lots of information on my web site about Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (E-LSA).  The E-LSA is the 2-seat ultralights that were over the 254-pound weight limit.

If the aircraft is less than 245 pound you will operate under Title 49 Part 103.

Answer 2

It is legal to fly an unregestered ultralight in America but not many other places

you can take off and land almost anywhere as long as you are in the right airspace

and yes you have to stay over 1000 feet its safer the higher up you are anyway-more time to react before the ground grabs you!

Answer 3

An Ultralight does not have to be registered, and you do not have to be a licensed pilot to operate one.  You can basically fly it anywhere you want as long as you do not pose a threat to anyone or anything in your operation of it.  There are a few models out there that have the capability to take a passenger along with you, but most are designed for one person.

   A little word to the wise here before you run out and purchase one.  Ultralights are not Certificated Aircraft !!!  Someone can build one and put it together with any quality of materials that they want.  The aluminum used could be extruded aluminum intended to be used to manufacture window frames or something.  It does not have to meet any certail Structural Strength Standards, and it is not required to be of a certain Mill Spec.  Mill Specs spell out certain quality standards that have to be met or exceeded.  Cable and Turnbuckles that hold everything together, support the wings etc, again no quality standards have to be met with the material used to manufacture them.  So be extremely careful here !!!  Before you buy, ask around and find someone who is knowledgeable and has experience with them.  Get to know them, see if they might inspect one that you might be interested in purchasing.  Find out what you can about the builder, was this his first project ?  Take your time finding something that you like.  There are some well built ones out there.  Look for quality in the craftsmanship and materials used for construction being of aircraft grade.  Good luck !!!

Answer 4

an ultrallight does not need any regestration . no pilot certificates are necessary.

There is a big difference between sport pilot and those vehicles that qualify and an ultralight.

Title 14: Aeronautics and Space

PART 103—ULTRALIGHT VEHICLES

Subpart A—General

Subpart A—General

§ 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.

§ 103.7   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.

No rule about 1000' over bulidings exist.

there is cloud clearance requirements .

see

§ 103.23   Flight visibility and cloud clearance requirements.

103.1(a) addresses carying a passenger. (see above)