Ultralight flying represents one of the fastest and purest ways to experience the joys of aviation. From powered-parachutes and trikes to traditional fixed wings and even amphibians and rotorcraft, ultralights are fun, exciting, and in most cases, remarkably affordable. Flying ultralights is not a step up or down, but a step into a completely different and exciting sector of the flying community.

In the U.S., flying an ultralight doesn't require a license or a medical certificate of any kind, providing the aircraft meets the Federal Aviation Regulation called Part 103. Part 103 defines an ultralight as an aircraft that meets the following criteria:

Seats

1

Max. Empty Weight (Powered Aircraft)

254 lbs

Max. Empty Weight (Unpowered Aircraft)

155 lbs

Max. Fuel Capacity

5 Gallons

Max. Speed @ Full Power

55 knots

Max. Stall Speed (Power Off)

24 knots

If the aircraft has more than 1-seat or exceeds any of the above criteria, is not an ultralight, and thus not eligible for operation under Part 103.

 

These are the legal rules by which we fly; they are the most lenient in the world. These privileges, however, carry responsibilities: while there are no specific legal requirements, ultralight pilots must be trained just like any other pilot.