A microlight has only one seat, is only used for sports or recreational flights, and does not have a U.S. or foreign certificate of airworthiness. Advisory Committee on Aviation Rule Development The Secretary of Transportation and the FAA Administrator have established a ministerial working group on FAAReform to recommend improvements that could be made to operations within the FAA itself and between the FAA and the Office of the Secretary. A subgroup of the Task Force was specifically mandated to recommend changes that would improve the process of developing rules on security issues. This subgroup proposed the creation of an advisory committee that would serve as a forum for the FAA to receive input from outside government on key regulatory issues facing the agency. The Secretary approved the proposal to establish an advisory committee. As a result, the Aviation Rule Setting Advisory Committee (ARAC) was established in 1991 to assist the FAA in rule-making by providing input from outside the federal government on important aviation safety regulatory issues. The ARAC includes representatives from air carriers, manufacturers, general aviation, working groups, universities, associations, air passenger groups and the general public. The FAA has asked ARAC to take on a task, review Part 103 and make a recommendation to ARAC on the appropriateness of new or revised standards. On August 30, 1993, the FAA announced the formation of an ARAC working group.
As part of its mission, the Working Group was invited to consider a petition to amend Part 103 (File No. 25591) previously filed by the United StatesUltralight Association. Tom Gunnarson, then Acting Executive Vice President of the USUA, was elected chair of the task force. The first meeting was held in October 1993 in Washington. More than 25 ultralight manufacturers and organizations, as well as representatives of general aviation interests and government groups, were in attendance. After six years of effort, the group gave the FAA a recommendation that became known as the “Sport Pilot.” Latest news from Sport Pilot (a) No one is allowed to drive an ultra-light vehicle except between sunrise and sunset. (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, microlights may be used during twilight periods 30 minutes before official sunrise and 30 minutes after official sunset, or in Alaska at civil twilight as defined in Air Almanac if: The FAA does not require ultra-light aircraft to provide airworthiness certification. It is the owner`s responsibility to ensure that the microlight can fly safely. Publications such as the Federal Ultralight Resource Guide and the Amateur Built Aircraft and Ultralight Flight Testing Handbook, available at the USUA Flying Store, provide explanations of how the FAA defines an ultralight aircraft. These publications cover all phases of preparation and flight testing of newly manufactured aircraft out of production. Based on experience and constant communication with these different agencies, the USUA provides its members with information and support regarding the various rules and regulations.
We believe that a basic understanding of these regulations is essential to becoming a good pilot. All FAA RegulationsFAR Part 1 (14 CFR 1) (Definitions and Abbreviations)FAR Part 61 (14 CFR 61) (Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors and Ground Instructors)FAR Part 91 (14 CFR 91) (General Operating and Flight Rules) (c) Notwithstanding any other section relating to aircraft registration and marking, ultralight vehicles need not be registered or marked of any kind. The FAA has continued to regulate microlight under its Code of Federal Regulations since the sport was recognized as a single, distinct segment of aviation in the late 1970s. Some activities fall under Part 103 (ULM) and related exemptions and advisory circulars, while others fall under Parts 61 and 91 (General Aviation Regulations). The debate continues (understood in some FAA and General Aviation rooms as an “ultralight problem”) about how to “manage” this recreational element of aviation, which in some ways is alien to the traditional direction of aviation and air travel. So why not find a microlight instructor, take an introductory lesson and find out if ultralight flying is for you? But even if you have no previous flying experience, the USUA says you need far fewer lessons to learn how to fly a microlight plane that you would fly well enough to get a private pilot license. The average is probably between 10 and 20 hours, as opposed to the 40+ hours required for a PPL. What is an ultra-light aeroplane? Do you need a type of pilot licence to fly one, and what restrictions are imposed on them? Are they cheap and fun to fly, and perhaps more importantly, are they safe? It is prohibited to operate an ultra-light vehicle if the visibility in flight or the distance to clouds is less than that indicated in the table below. All operations in Class A, B, C and D airspace or in Class E airspace designated for an airport must obtain prior ATC approval in accordance with section 103.17 of this Part. The USUA works full-time to ensure pilots have a say. As a member, you`ll have the nation`s most active ultralight aviation advocates representing your interests year-round in Washington, DC, and before a variety of government agencies, including the FAA. The USUA advocates for ultralight aviation, airspace restrictions, proposed pilot and vehicle certification, unnecessary airworthiness requirements, all the major problems ultralight aircraft face today.
If you want to qualify to fly an ultralight tricycle, it takes about half the time as a sports pilot and a quarter of the time as a private trike pilot. § 103.13 Operations in the vicinity of aircraft; Right of way rules. In general, however, lower speeds, lower vehicle weights and the recreational nature of ultralight flight result in greater inherent safety. When accidents do occur, the causes are similar to all other aviation accidents, with lack of instruction and human error being the main reasons. Curious about the definition, regulations, requirements of the Ultralight driver? Ultralight aircraft and flying ultralight aircraft are one of the easiest, easiest and fastest ways to experience the pure pleasure of aviation. The freedom to fly, whether general aviation, light recreational aircraft, or microlights, comes with a personal responsibility to practice safety on the ground and in the air, and to comply with local, state, and federal rules and regulations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates the national airspace system. This also includes pilot and aircraft requirements for different classes of aircraft. States control the construction, maintenance and operation of airports. In addition, some states have laws on insurance requirements. Some local and regional governments have regulations that dictate where and when general aviation and air sports activities are allowed.
If the vehicle has more than 1 seat or exceeds one of the above criteria, it is not an ultra-light aircraft and cannot be operated under Part 103. The answer is an unqualified yes! Pilots who fly microlights tend to like them and have no desire to switch to another type of aircraft. You like the experience of “wind in your face” and the ability to fly “low and slow” if you choose to do so. Ultralight flight is a simple flight, just as in the early days of aviation, pure “stick and rudder” flight. Ultralights are described as pure, simply funny and addictive. Ultralight aircraft in the United States are much smaller and lighter than ultra-light aircraft, as defined by all other countries. The USUA took the lead when the FAA asked the aviation community for technical assistance and advice for a proposed regulation of microlight aircraft in 1994. The FAA had been working on the process for several years to no avail. Chaired by Tom Gunnarson, then USUA`s Director of Safety and Training, a working group was formed within the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) to review the FAA`s proposal and develop recommendations. By 1985, the USUA was directly involved in the FAA. While the kind of result that would truly open up our sport to the general public has yet to be achieved, the USUA has made significant progress in improving the image of the microlight and protecting the freedoms we enjoy today.