I felt the need to write this article, as I see a lot of planes being listed and advertised as Ultra-Lights.  Most of them are not!  And worse, with a new FAA deadline having passed, the ones which are outside of the standards, cannot now be converted into the new Light Sport Plane category!  Be very careful of what you buy!

To explain further.. the true Ultra-Light.. as defined by FAA part 103.1 (as I recall) is somewhat restricted.  It has a total empty weight of 254 pounds MAXIMUM, SINGLE SEAT ONLY!!, must have a stall (landing speed) of 26 knots or less, and fly no faster than 55 knots wide open throttle, in level flight.  It must not carry more than 5 gallons of fuel.  It CAN be flown without a license, but I'd strongly recommend some training.  But they are not difficult to fly in most cases.   If the plane fits the above criteria.. it can be considered a LEGAL ultra-light.  There were/are VERY few of these which had twin cylinder engines (higher power, higher performance, but heavier) that were still within the legal weight restrictions. 

So what if it's not legal??  Well, the FAA sees these to then be ILLEGAL airplanes.. not illegal ultra-lights!  So if you are flying without a license, then you are flying an illegal airplane without a license, without N-number registration, without proper inspections, etc.. and it gets worse.  They really frown on two seaters being flown by unlicensed pilots!  I.e. too many innocent passengers were dying in fatal crashes.  It will ruin your whole day! (Yes, on the down side.. most ultra-lights are not overly crash worthy.. well, no planes are.)  So I'd highly recommend a "ballistic" or powered parachute, which if deployed, brings down the WHOLE airplane safely!  But it is still not a guarantee.

With so many "heavy" U/Ls.. the FAA and EAA formulated a new category of airplanes and they have some benefits and some disadvantages.  The LSA (Light Sport Airplanes) can be heavier, faster, carry more fuel, have up to two seats.. but they do require a Sport Pilot license!  Not too difficult to get.  Minimal medical requirements is a plus.  Maintenance records are required on the airplanes.. so in general, these planes step up a notch, from the simpler U/Ls.

There was a deadline made available to convert the heavy (or "Fat") illegal ultralights into E-LSAs (experimental-light sport aircraft).. which makes them legal.. with a N-number registration, and a airworthiness inspection... and if flown by a pilot with at least a Sport Pilots license.

The big problem is that the deadline passed on Jan 31, 08 to get your plane in the registry.  And some folks like EAA members now have 2 years to complete the process... but ONLY IF they were registered with the FAA by the deadline!  Most of the airplanes I have seen on eBay recently, are listed as U/Ls, but are of  the heavier type.  And they cannot now be converted, or made legal.  In emails I've sent to some sellers.. most say "what they do with it is their business".. but some don't even know the legal aspects.

Some people have suggest that these planes might be registered as "home built" Experimental category aircraft.  But the catch there, is that to be listed as Experimental, you have to be the BUILDER yourself, with a lot of documentation to prove that fact!!  Photos, work logs, receipts, etc.  And the FAA is not allowing people to classify them (typically) as Experimental, if they have only rebuilt, or restored one. 

If you buy a "heavy" or two seater version of a so-called Ultra-Light today.. you probably have an illegal airplane, which will remain that way... or maybe as a new planter for the front yard.  Buyer beware!

Flying one without a license?.. Or possibly without proper maintenance?  Well, like every rule.. they get broken.  Just think twice about taking someone else with you when you do that.  Or even the consequences if you get caught solo.  If any sellers read this.. consider being more honest and open.. none of us want to get taken.

Fly responsibly.. best wishes to all, Jerry