EAA Experimenter 27
What determines whether a machine qualifi es as an ultralight? Here's a
quick a look at the parameters outlined in FAR Part 103, the regulation that
governs ultralight activity:
Seats 1
Max. empty weight (powered aircraft) 254 pounds
Max. empty weight (unpowered aircraft) 155 pounds
Max. fuel capacity 5 Gallons
Max. speed @ full power 55 knots (63 mph)
Max. stall speed (power off) 24 knots (26 mph)
No pilot certifi cate is required to fl y an ultralight and the machine is
not required to meet any particular aircraft design standard.
ABOUT ULTRALIGHTS
United Kingdom–built Quik trikes are now available in the United States with a
sparkling metal-fl ake fi nish. The British are very serious about competition and
speed, and their trikes are built for it. www.pmaviationusa.com
This Maverick powered parachute sports a "My car is an airplane" slogan exemplifying
the design concept behind the Maverick light-sport aircraft, which is a very capable and
sporty ground vehicle that also functions as a powered parachute. www.mavericklsa.com
This Rivals trike is a more advanced handling trike offered by Evolution
Aircraft. Because it's a two-place design, it operates in the light-sport aircraft
category. www.evolutiontrikes.com
The Sky Cycle trike is billed as the "the perfect soaring trike." Weight-shift trikes
round out the variety of machines available as ultralights in the United States.
The Sky Cycle is produced by Fly Hard Trikes. www.fl yhardtrikes.com
While the CGS Hawk is no longer offered as an ultralight, it was another of the
very early ultralights. Designed by Chuck Slusarczyk, the Hawk was introduced
in 1982 as the fi rst fully enclosed ultralight. www.cgsaviation.com
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