Ultralight aviation

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File:Huntair.pathfinder.arp.jpg
Huntair Pathfinder Mark 1 ultralight

Ultralight aviation (called microlight aviation in some countries) is the flying of lightweight, 1- or 2-seat fixed-wing aircraft. Some countries differentiate between weight-shift control and conventional three-axis control aircraft with ailerons, elevator and rudder, calling the former "microlight" and the latter "ultralight".

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, mostly stimulated by the hang gliding movement, many people sought affordable powered flight. As a result, many aviation authorities set up definitions of lightweight, slow-flying aeroplanes that could be subject to minimum regulations. The resulting aeroplanes are commonly called "ultralight aircraft" or "microlights", although the weight and speed limits differ from country to country. In Europe, the sporting (FAI) definition limits the maximum stalling speed to Template:Convert and the maximum take-off weight to Template:Convert, or Template:Convert if a ballistic parachute is installed. The definition means that the aircraft has a slow landing speed and short landing roll in the event of an engine failure.[1]

In most affluent countries, microlights or ultralight aircraft now account for a significant percentage of the global civilian-owned aircraft. For instance, in Canada in February 2018, the ultralight aircraft fleet made up to 20.4% of the total civilian aircraft registered.[2] In other countries that do not register ultralight aircraft, like in the United States, it is unknown what proportion of the total fleet they make up. In countries where there is no specific extra regulation, ultralights are considered regular aircraft and subject to certification requirements for both aircraft and pilot.

Definitions

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Definitions of ultralight aircraft
Country Type Capacity MTOW Time Licence Other conditions
Australia Recreational Aircraft[3] 2 Template:Convert; Template:Convert for seaplanes — — —
Light Sport Aircraft[4] 2 Template:Convert; Template:Convert for seaplanes — — —
Brazil Ultralight 2 Template:Convert Daylight visual conditions — Used mainly (or intended for) sports or recreation[5]
Canada basic ultra-light aeroplane 2 Template:Convert Daylight visual conditions Ultralight Pilot Permit Craft may be operated from land or water
advanced ultra-light aeroplane 2 Template:Convert Daylight visual conditions Ultralight Pilot Permit Craft may only carry a passenger if the pilot has an Ultralight Aeroplane Passenger Carrying Rating; may operate at a controlled airport without prior arrangement[6]
Europe[7] land plane/helicopter, single-seater 1 300 kg Daylight VFR Ultralight Pilot Permit Sport or recreation only
land plane/helicopter, two-seater 2 Template:Convert Daylight VFR Ultralight Pilot Permit Sport or recreation only
amphibian or floatplane/helicopter single-seater 2 Template:Convert Daylight VFR Ultralight Pilot Permit where operating both as a floatplane/helicopter and as a land plane/ helicopter, it falls below both MTOW limits, as appropriate
land plane, two-seater equipped with an airframe mounted total recovery parachute system 2 Template:Convert Daylight VFR Ultralight Pilot Permit Sport or recreational use only
land plane single-seater equipped with an airframe mounted total recovery parachute system 1 Template:Convert Daylight VFR Ultralight Pilot Permit Sport or recreational use only
gyroplane 1–2 Template:Convert Daylight VFR Ultralight Pilot Permit Sport or recreational only
India — 2 Template:Convert without parachute — current permit to fly[8] —
Italy ultraleggero 1–2 Max Take Off Weight MTOW

2 persons, Template:Convert (Template:Convert without parachute)

Stall speed Template:Convert

Daylight, minimum of Template:Convert. certificate exam, insurance and a medical examination.[9] Requires a helmet only for open cockpit aircraft. Flying over populated areas and assemblies of people are prohibited.[10]
Japan Ultra light power machine[11][12]

(undefined in Civil Aeronautics Act)

1–2[11][12] Max empty weight: Daylight visual conditions[13] Minister's permission carried on board for each year[13] instead of licence[14][15]

Passengers also need permission.[13]

Sports or recreational use only[12]

Other minister's permissions:

  • flight permission (for each 2 – 4 months)[12][14][15]
  • Permission of land owner for landing and for take off[14][15]

Flyable area: uncontrolled airspace over unpopulated areas, within Template:Convert from departure point and landing at another point forbidden.[13]

Aircraft:

New Zealand NZ Class 1 1 Single seat Template:Convert, Template:Convert for seaplanes; Stall speed Template:Convert. Daytime VFR Microlight Licence requiredScript error: No such module "Unsubst". Part 103 Microlight Aircraft Operating Rules,[16] Part 103 advisory circulars[17]
NZ Class 2 2 2 Seats Template:Convert, Template:Convert for seaplanes; Stall speed Template:Convert Daytime VFR Microlight Licence requiredScript error: No such module "Unsubst". Part 103 Microlight Aircraft Operating Rules,[16] Part 103 advisory circulars[17]
Philippines non-type certified aircraft[18][19] — — Daytime VFR — recreational and sport use
United Kingdom Sub-Template:Convert Unregulated, Single seat deregulated, 2-seat regulated. 1–2[20] Several definitions, from 70 kg with full fuel to Template:Convert maximum weight at take-off Daytime VFR Licence not required for Sub-70 kg, NPPL licence required otherwise[21][22] Recreational. No paid work.
United States ultralight aircraft 1 Empty weight of less than Template:Convert [23][24] Daylight hours no license required less than Template:Convert fuel capacity, empty weight of less than 254 pounds, a top speed of Template:Convert, and a maximum stall speed not exceeding (Template:Convert). May only be flown over uncongested areas.
light-sport aircraft 2 Template:Convert; Template:Convert for seaplanes. Daytime VFR sport pilot certificate

Must have fixed landing gear, and a single engine with fixed pitch propeller.

File:Pegasus quantum 15-912 microlight g-byff kemble arp.jpg
Pegasus Quantum 145-912 ultralight trike
File:CTSW N646MA.jpg
Flight Design CTSW
File:PPGInFlight.jpg
A powered paraglider
File:DFEAscenderIIIC01.jpg
A US-made Pterodactyl Ascender ultralight on a camping flight
File:UltraflightLazairSeriesIII.jpg
Canadian Lazair ultralight covered in clear Mylar
File:WikipediaHangmotor.jpg
A foot-launched powered hang glider

Australia

In Australia, ultralight aircraft and their pilots can either be registered with the Hang Gliding Federation of Australia (HGFA)[25] or Recreational Aviation Australia (RA Aus).[26] In all cases, except for privately built single seat ultralight aeroplanes,[27] microlight aircraft or trikes are regulated by the Civil Aviation Regulations.

Canada

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United Kingdom

Pilots of a powered, fixed wing aircraft or paramotors do not need a licence, provided its weight with a full fuel tank is not more than Template:Convert, but they must obey the rules of the air.[28]

For heavier microlights the current UK regulations are similar to the European ones, but helicopters and gyroplanes are not included.[29]

Other than the very earliest aircraft, all two-seat UK microlights (and until 2007 all single-seaters) have been required to meet an airworthiness standard; BCAR Section S.[30] In 2007, Single Seat DeRegulated (SSDR), a sub-category of single seat aircraft was introduced, allowing owners more freedom for modification and experiments. By 2017 the airworthiness of all single seat microlights became solely the responsibility of the user, but pilots must hold a microlight licence;[31] currently NPPL(M) (National Private Pilots Licence).

New Zealand

Ultralights in New Zealand are subject to NZCAA General Aviation regulations[32] with microlight specific variations as described in Part 103[33] and AC103-1.[34]

United States

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". The United States FAA's definition of an ultralight is significantly different from that in most other countries and can lead to some confusion when discussing the topic. The governing regulation in the United States is FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles. In 2004, the FAA introduced the "Light-sport aircraft" category, which resembles some other countries' microlight categories. Ultralight aviation is represented by the United States Ultralight Association (USUA), which acts as the US aeroclub representative to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.

Types

There are several categories of aircraft which qualify as ultralights in some countries:

  • Fixed-wing aircraft: traditional airplane-style designs.
  • Weight-shift control trike: use a hang glider-style wing, below which is suspended a three-wheeled carriage which carries the engine and aviators. These aircraft are controlled by pushing against a horizontal control bar in roughly the same way as a hang glider pilot flies.
  • Powered parachute: fuselage-mounted engines with parafoil wings, which are wheeled aircraft.
  • Powered paraglider: backpack engines with parafoil wings, which are foot-launched.
  • Powered hang glider: motorized foot-launched hang glider harness.
  • Autogyro: rotary wing with fuselage-mounted engine, a gyrocopter is different from a helicopter in that the rotating wing is not powered, the engine provides forward thrust and the airflow through the rotary blades causes them to autorotate or "spin up" thereby creating lift.
  • Helicopter: there are a number of single-seat and two-place helicopters which fall under the microlight categories in countries such as New Zealand. However, few helicopter designs fall within the more restrictive ultralight category defined in the United States of America.
  • Hot air balloon: there are numerous ultralight hot air balloons in the US, and several more have been built and flown in France and Australia in recent years. Some ultralight hot air balloons are hopper balloons, while others are regular hot air balloons that carry passengers in a basket.

Electric

Advancements in batteries, motors, and motor controllers has led to some practical production electric propulsion systems for some ultralight applications. In many ways, ultralights are a good application for electric power as some models are capable of flying with low power, which allows longer duration flights on battery power.[35]

In 2007, the first pioneering company in this field, the Electric Aircraft Corporation, began offering engine kits to convert ultralight weight shift trikes to electric power. The 18 hp motor weighs Template:Convert and an efficiency of 90% is claimed by designer Randall Fishman. The battery consists of a lithium-polymer battery pack of 5.6kWh which provides 1.5 hours of flying in the trike application. The company claimed a flight recharge cost of 60 cents in 2007.[35][36]

A significant obstacle to the adoption of electric propulsion for ultralights in the U.S. is the weight of the battery, which is considered part of the empty weight of the aircraft despite efforts to have it considered as fuel.[37] As the specific energy of batteries improves, lighter batteries can be used.

See also

References

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External links

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  1. ↑ Boric, Marino, Spoilt For Choice, Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al (editors): World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 10. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. Template:Catalog lookup linkScript error: No such module "check isxn".Script error: No such module "check isxn".Script error: No such module "check isxn".Script error: No such module "check isxn".Script error: No such module "check isxn".Script error: No such module "check isxn".Script error: No such module "check isxn".Script error: No such module "check isxn".Script error: No such module "check isxn".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ An overview of the legislative framework enabling sport and recreational aviation Template:Webarchive Accessed 7 January 2012
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Joint Aviation Authorities (1 November 2004), JAR 1, Template:Webarchive, retrieved 7 February 2015
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  13. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Angeles City Flying Club, Excerpt from part 11 of the Civil Aviation Regulations.
  19. ↑ Civil Aviation Authority Philippines Template:Webarchive, download page for all regulations.
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ British Microlight Aircraft Association. "[1]". Retrieved 24 July 2015
  22. ↑ British Microlight Aircraft Association. "Licensed Flying, so you want to be a pilot?". Retrieved 24 July 2015
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ British Civil Aviation Authority Aircraft Types
  30. ↑ CAP 482 British Civil Airworthiness Requirements Section S - Small Light Aeroplanes, Template:Webarchive, retrieved 8 December 2020
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Civil Aviation Rules, Accessed 1 October 2022
  33. ↑ Part 103 - Microlight Aircraft - Operating Rules, Accessed 01 October 2022
  34. ↑ Advisory Circular 103, Template:Webarchive, Accessed 7 October 2021
  35. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
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