Ultralight Aircraft Purchase Help?

Question

I am thinking of finding and buying a ultralight aircraft on ebay. I wold like information from ultralight owners on their experiences as owners. and online buyers regarding questions and concerns i should ask the seller.

a little background info.

I would prefer some type of a 2 place STOL

We are located in Central oklahoma, so we have the "oklahoma wind" to deal with.

I do have my pilots license both fixed and tail drager with over 300 hr in a cessna 172 and 150. I have a 1500ft grass strip

Answer 1

by definition, an ultralight  has only one seat. see 14 cfr  103

Sec. 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.  

Answer 2

A cessna under $30,000 or a russian stunt jet.

I am nut sure why the Cessna costs so much....it is just a wooden box with an engine....

The Russian stunt jet costs HALF of that wooden box and you have 100 times more fun.

You can sometime find these stunt MiGs fitted with GE engines on ebay.....

Very light and only around $50k

Answer 3

Ultra Lights are consider a vehicle as long as it weight less than 254 lbs empty weight anything over this weight is consider an unregistered aircraft.  Also as of Jan. 31, 2008 there are no more 2-seat ultralight vehicles being manufactured.  The FAA gave ultralight owner with two seats and over the weight limit to register their aircraft as an Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (E-LSA).  If they didn’t they cannot be registered and are worthless especially the 2-seat models.

So if you purchase one off the web make sure it meets part 103 or has been registered as a E-LSA and certified.  If not you will be taken with no recourse.  This is a case of buyer beware.

I have my own aviation web site that explains the E-LSA and the requirements if it will help at; http://www.stacheair.com

Answer 4

Seek the help of a pro.  buying a aircraft on line can be a bad experience.  As you can tell from the other answers provided, the new laws regarding ultralights have become complicated and you could end up owning something that is worthless.

It does however sound like you have the experience and facility's and desire to enjoy an ultralight.  Mine is a Quicksilver II and i love it.  It would work well in Oklahoma much of the time.