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Comparing Ultralight Aircraft: Choices, Choices

This is an excellent resource for comparing ALL the methods of ultralight flight. (Written by an airline Captain.)

Comparing Ultralight Aircraft: Choices, Choices
See also | Powered | UnPowered | PPG equipment reviews | PPG FAQ

Do I want convenience? Do I want to go places? How much will it cost? How hard is it to fly? These and many other questions usually come to those choosing an ultralight. It's not easy and the sales people for each one knows, for a fact, that their form of flight is the best there is. OK, so it's true, I'm sold on powered paragliding. But, as it happens, I've flown everything listed here except the cluster balloons. Not that wouldn't fly them but it's a lot of work with little control and I've got other ways to get airtime without resorting to such limits.

Speed is the typical maximum speed of the average aircraft. Speed range is another important characteristic and is shown in percent. PPC's for example, have very little speed range since more power just makes them go up. PPG's are similar but have more range since they have speed systems. FAR 103 mandates a max speed of less than 55 kts (63 mph) and stall speed of no more than 24 kts (27 mph).

Cost is an average US$ for new equipment bought from a dealer or instructor. Training costs are not included although sometimes they are given with the purchase. I take that into account by reducing the value of hardware sold by the average training cost for that type of aircraft.

Runway requirement is the smallest space that an instructor would normally allow a recently trained pilot to fly out of.

Empty weight includes unusable fuel, oil (if required), wing, prop, harness and anything else required to fly. Be aware that some manufacturers claim light weights because they do not include a propeller or harness or some other requisite component. Be sure to ask. FAR 103 mandates a weight of less than 254 lbs for powered and 155 pounds for unpowered ultralights.

Much more at link.

Ultralights Compared, Powered Paragliders & others

If you are at all interested in any of the ultralight methods of flight you will want to bookmark this page/site.

[alligator]

Yes, but do you need a full pilot's license? How do you find the time?

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Originally Posted by alligator 

Yes, but do you need a full pilot's license? How do you find the time?

Unless the craft violates these restrictions nothing more than a regular drivers' license is required to legally fly.

Professional training is strongly urged (fatal consequences could result if you try to fly without adequate training) though.

FAR PART 103 Ultralight Vehicles
Regulations for Powered Paragliders, Powered Paragliding & Paramotor Pilots
Subpart A-General

[...]

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.

Most of the craft mentioned in the original link can be legally flown with just your current DL.

But training is essential to fly safely. And training can take as little as a weekend.

Generally, if it weighs less than 254 lbs. no pilots license is needed.

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YouTube - Born to be wild

nwhiteafd (2 weeks ago) Show Hide Marked as spam
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This is probably the best PPC video out there. Fot those of you who have never flown one of these, you have no idea how good this guy is. Low flying isn't as easy as it looks and this pilot is performing some really radical low level manuevers with very little room for error. This guy is good!

Good and ultra risky?

There are old pilots.

And there are bold pilots.

But there are few old, bold pilots.

Same pilot.

YouTube - Coyote 3

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Airframes Unlimited- powered parachute, powered parachutes, powerchute