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Ultralight AviationUltralight aviation is a common term given to a category of aircraft used for recreational aircraft, complying to certain limits on design and operation so as to allow for greater freedom, more economical operation, more fun, and less regulation. Ultralight aircraft are generally called "Microlight Aircraft" in the UK and New Zealand, and "ULMs" in France. Some countrys differentiate between weight shift and 3-axis aircraft calling the former "Microlight" and the latter "Ultralight". The governing regulation in the United States is FAR 103, and allows single seat aircraft of less than 5 US gallons (19 L) fuel capacity, empty weight of less than 254 pounds (115 kg), a top speed of 55 knots (102 km/h), and a max stall speed (slowest flying speed) not exceeding 24 knots. to fly over unpopulated areas during daylight hours. Many other countries have similar restrictions however the weight limit is generally higher (544kg) the fuel limit removed and the aircraft may carry one passenger. The United States has recently introduced Sport Pilot which seeks somewhat to allow these "heavy" ultralights. In the United States no licence or training is required by law, but training is highly advisable. In other countries some form of licence is typically mandatory, often regulated by one or more delegated pilot's oganisations. A common misconception is that Ultralight pilots are poorly trained, where in reality the quality of Ultralight pilots is easily the equal of "traditional" pilots, partly owing to the fact that Ultralight pilots often fly more often than general Aviation pilots, and partly because many Ultralight Pilots are also "Private Pilots", even Airline Pilots! = Many Different Types = Within the general umbrella of Ultralight or Microlight aircraft there are many different types of aircraft available. - 3-Axis Fixed Wing. This is what may be considered a regular airplane configuration. Conventional 3 axis control for yaw, pitch and roll using ailerons, elevators and rudder control surfaces. There are literally hundreds of different 3-axis ultralights on the market.
- 2-Axis Fixed Wing. Some of the first generation Ultralights were "2-Axis" which simply don't have ailerons, this means that to turn only Rudders are employed. An example of a 2-Axis Ultralight is the "Pterodactyl".
- Weight Shift. Known more generally as "trikes", these ultralights have their roots as powered hang gliders. these are essentially a hang glider style wing below which is suspended a three wheeled cart. The aircraft is controlled by shifting the body weight by pushing against a horizontal bar in more or less the same way as a hang glider pilot flies. Trikes are often considered Motorcycles of the Sky. Trikes generally have impressive climb rates and are generally ideal for rough field operation.
- Powered parachutes - cart mounted engines with parafoil wing.
- Gyrocopter - rotary wing with cart mounted engine (see autogyro), a Gyrocopter is different to a helicopter in that the rotating wing is not powered, the engine provides forward thrust and the airflow throught the rotary blades causes them to "spin up" creating lift.
- Helicopter - there are a number of capable single-seat and two-place helicopters which fall under the Microlight categories in countries such as New Zealand. Even within the United States there are some Ultralight Helicopter designs, however somewhat more basic due to the more restrictive limits on Ultralight category aircraft in that country.
=Not "Flying Clotheslines"= Ultralight/Microlight aircraft were traditionally regarded as "flying clotheslines", owing to the fact that early aircraft of this type were typically completely open, wire, tube and rag aircraft - naturally these aircraft were seldom used for anything more that very-local-area flying. However Ultralights, especially outside of the US where the restrictions are less severe, are rapidly transforming into high performance, aircraft capable of very respectable speed, and range. In recent years there has been a dramatic rise in the number of "GA" pilots purchasing and flying high performance Microlights due to the cost benefits. Due to the changing nature of Ultralights, there has been a change in recent times to refer to these aircraft as "Recreational Aircraft" reflecting the fact that this class of aircraft doesn't reflect on the quality of type of aircraft as much as it's use. Lately a rapidly growing area of the class is scale-replica "Warbirds", such as the offerings from Titan Aircraft and Loehle Aircraft. = Ultralight/Microlight Organisations = = Ultralight/Microlight Manufacturers = = Ultralight/Microlight Clubs = New Zealand = Other Links =
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