What is the limit on ultralights before you have to get a license? or is there one?

Question

I've heard that you don't need any type of license to fly an ultralight if it is so small, is this true? if so what size can it be? And is there any other info i need to know about them?

Answer 1

FAA describes a powered ultralight vehicle as a vehicle that:

* Is used or intended to be used for manned operation in the air by a single occupant (through exemptions, FAA allows 2-place ultralights to be used for instruction only - see below);

* Is used or intended to be used for recreation or sport purposes only;

* Does not have any U.S. or foreign airworthiness certificate; and:

Single-Place

* Weighs less than 254 pounds empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices which are intended for deployment in a potentially catastrophic situation;

* Has a fuel capacity not exceeding 5 U.S. gallons;

* Is not capable of more than 55 knots (63 mph) calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight; and

* Has a power-off stall speed which does not exceed 24 knots (28 mph) calibrated airspeed.

Two-Place

FAA defines 2-place ultralight vehicles in several exemptions to be used for flight instruction only and:

* Weighs less than 496 pounds empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices which are intended for deployment in a potentially catastrophic situation;

* Has a fuel capacity not exceeding 10 U.S. gallons;

* Is not capable of more than 75 knots (86 mph) calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight; and

* Has a power-off stall speed which does not exceed 35 knots (40 mph) calibrated airspeed.

Inspection Requirements

* Any person operating an ultralight vehicle under this Part shall, upon request, allow the FAA Administrator, or his designee, to inspect the vehicle to determine the applicability of this Part.

* 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.

Waivers

No person may conduct operations that require a deviation from this Part except under a written waiver issued by the Administrator.

Certification and Registration

* 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.

* Notwithstanding any other section pertaining to airman certification, operators of single-place 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.

* Ultralight instructors are subject to the program/training requirements of the FAA Exemption and of the administering organizations. Each instructor is required to carry a copy of his/her personalized copy of the FAA Exemption which authorizes his/her operation of the 2-place vehicle for flight instruction and flights associated with flight instruction.

* 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.