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An introduction to aviation
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Government and Policy
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Explore different aircraft types
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Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Information
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Explore airplane avionics
EAA Offers 16-Hour E-LSA Inspection Courses
Flying season will be upon us before you know it, so if you’re an experimental light-sport airplane owner you can use the down time and EAA SportAir Workshops to earn your E-LSA Repair/Inspection Certificate.
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From Rss Channel: http://www.eaa.org
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The Young Eagles is a program of the US Experimental Aircraft Association designed to give children between the ages of 8 to 17 a chance to fly in a general aviation airplane free of charge. The program was launched in 1992 and had flown over 1.2 million children by the summer of 2006.
Wikipedia: link
Other References:
http://www.youngeagles.org/news/events/?month=6#YEevents
http://www.copanational.org/non-members/YoungEagles/YoungEagles.htm
Airplane! is an American comedy film, first released on 27 June, 1980, produced, directed, and written by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker. Airplane! starred Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges, Peter Graves, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Lorna Patterson. For release in Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines, Airplane! was re-titled as Flying High, as the term “airplane” is not used in those countries.
Wikipedia: link
Other References:
http://www.maximonline.com/slideshows/videos/planecrashes.aspx?film=7&src=jb40
Ultralight Airplanes
If you are interested in owning, buying or building an ultralight airplane, or you are just interested in knowing more about the ultralight airplanes in general – this page is for you.
Here you will find articles about pricing, licensing and registering your ultralight aircraft. If you want to know more about the other aspects of the ultralight aviation – gliders, flex wing trikes, helicopters or microlighting – just browse the other categories. If you want to know something that is not covered here, just email me at admin[at]ultralight-airplanes.info and we’ll do our best to research and publish more information.
Ultralight Airplane – What Do You Need To Know?
Read this page to undertsand the basics of the ultralight aviation and the things you always wanted to know. Continue >>
Are Ultralight Airplanes Right For Your Budget?
The ultralight aviation made it possible. Everyone, and I mean really everyone can have their aircraft today. What is your budget? What kind of flying vehicle do you want to own? This short article will give you some suggestions. Over $100,000 You can get almost everything from the Ultralight aviation. Continue >>
Popular Ultralight Aircrafts
There are some ultralight airplanes which are so widely known that every aviation enthusiast have either heard, seen or flown on them. Certainly the ultralight and microlight model aircrafts are too many (especially if you add the homebuilt/experimental ones) and there is a chance at least one of them will… Continue >>
Ultralight Gliders – Flying Without Engine
Do you know how the ultralight aviation started at? No, it is not coming from the general aviation. The ultralight airplanes have evolved from hang gliders. But this evolution did not kill the gliders. They are still widely used and available in many variations. What exactly is an ultralight glider? Continue >>
Ultralight Seaplanes – Amphibians, Flying Boats and Floats
All these are different types or just names of an interesting category ultralight aircrafts – the Ultralight Seaplanes. Are you already asking what’s so great about them? Imagine what were you going to do if you had both a boat and an airplane. (Or maybe you already have them?) Continue >>
Here Are Some Of The Best Discussion Forums About Ultralight Airplanes
The Web is huge and full with all kind of sites on about every topic you can think of. But for us, the fans of the ultralight aviation, there are very few places to visit. Except this site there are just a few ones which pay attention to the ultralight… Continue >>
Seven Good Books and DVDs About Ultralight Aviation
I hope you have found a lot of interesting info on this site. Are you already looking for more? There will be more articles and even a blog is coming on the way (to be notified about that, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter). Do you want to go… Continue >>
Published On Rss Channel: http://ultralight-airplanes.info
Used Ultralight Aircraft
Buying an used ultralight aircraft allows many pilots with low budget to fly. But the low price is not the only advantage of doing this. The used airplane may come with first hand instructions and improvements which can make your flying better.
There are many things you should consider when buying used airplane. Many of them are discussed in the articles below.
If you are looking to sell your used ultralight or microlight aircraft, you will find a bit of advice and useful information too.
Used Ultralight Trikes – The Shortest Way To Start Flying
You have probably read the article about used ultralight aircrafts and already know that you can save a lot of money and time buying an used airplane. Of course, doing that has its disadvantages too and you should know how to choose a good one. Why trike and why used? Cheap for… Continue >>
See How Easily You Can Get Used Ultralight Aircraft
Ok, so you are not so keen on building your airplane from a kit yourself, are you? But the new aircrafts can be a bit expensive, even if they are ultralights. So it is a wise decision to consider buying an used ultralight aircraft and save money and time. But… Continue >>
Published On Rss Channel: http://ultralight-airplanes.info
How To Find Good Ultralight Flying Lessons For Helicopters And Airplanes
When it comes to the things that keep us from learning to fly you will see the ordinary suspects to show up. Not enough time, not enough money, inappropriate season, health issues… Most often the thing which really stops us is lack of information about what exactly to do.
To operate an ultralight aircraft in USA you need a license from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In other countries there are different regulations, but almost everywhere in the world you’ll need a specific flying license. So here is the first answer you searched for.
So How To Obtain A Flying License
Depending on where you are localted and what kind of aircraft license you want to apply for, you will need to pass a medical examination with various strictness.
ADSENSE
Once approved, you need to receive the required hours of flying instruction given by a Certificated Flight Instructor.
At the end, you’ll have to pass written and practical exams.
While the medical and the pilot exams will be held at place that you won’t choose yourself, the flying instruction is something that you can fully control.
Find A Good Aircraft School
Should you wonder if going to flight school is a good idea, you may want to read the article about ultralight aircraft schools. You’ll also find information about the pricings and the flight school alternatives.
If you have decided to go ahead, you should have in mind that locating a good flight school can be a challenge, especially if you live in a less populated area.
When choosing a flight school, take these factors into consideration:
- The price of the education (of course)
- How long are the instructors in business
- What airplanes are offered for the students
- How many students are there
- Are the flying hours flexible to suit your schedule
- Does the school have website? If so, do a search for sites linking into it to read comments and feedback
- Is there a good insurance coverage?
Get The Most Of Your Flying Lessons
Your flying education does not stop with choosing a flight school. The entire process of selection has one main purpose – to help you get the most for your money and time.
When doing your lessons, try to absorb everything that the instructor says. If needed, write down small notes to refresh you mind later.
A good flight education package will include a short discovery flight. You will be introduced to the feeling of flying an ultralight airplane – try to compare this to flying a big aircraft.
Make sure that you learn well the following topics:
- Aircraft systems
- Aerodynamics
- Aircraft operations
- Navigation
- Regulations
- Weather
When you finish the flying education and complete the exams, you must feel convenient in your flying skills. If you feel unsure, better attent additional hours with an instructor before going completely on your own. Your safety matters most.
Published On Rss Channel: http://ultralight-airplanes.info
How To Fly An Ultralight Aircraft Even When You Do Not Own Any
Photo by udannlin at FlickrOn this site we have published some articles showing how affordable owning an ultralight airplane is. Indeed this depends on where you live – but in general you can own an ultralight airplane at the price of a decent car.
Unfortunately not every one of us can afford even so much when it’s just for a hobby and leisure. But this is not a reason to forfeith your dream of flying on an ultralight airplane. There are options for you to experience this wonderful activity even without owning an airplane.
Here are they:
Buying a share
This is a very popular option within the pilots of light airplanes and light sport aircrafts. Usually 3, 4 or 6 people buy one plane together and share not only the purchase price but the ongoing costs. This otion can drastically reduce the costs of owning an ultralight aircraft. Of course you won’t really own all of it, but still will be able to fly frequently and enjoy it.
ADSENSE
Few things to consider:
- You need reliable partners. You have to find pilots that will care about the airplane as good as you would care for it. They have to be serious people and to keep the agreement regarding the time of flying and the ongoing costs.
- You need to find people near you. If you have to travel few thousands milles each time when you want to pick up your ultralight, you won’t save any costs and will lose time. In such sense, if you are from UK or USA you have much better chances to find good partners, because these countries have traditions in sharing airplanes.
- It’s hard to agree on the exact airplane. Unfortunately it is not easy to find other people who want to buy exactly the ultralight or microlight that you want to buy. Some will want a Challenger, other will look for Colb Ultralight etc. You may have to make a compromise with the model and make
Participating in a club
There are various flying clubs where aviation enthusiasts go together, discuss, make competitions and fly. The clubs allow you to share airplanes with others, to attend cheaper training etc. In most clubs the members can also trade or rent airplanes to each other or from the club.
While talking about renting, let’s see the next option:
Renting an ultralight airplane
What do people do when they can’t afford buying a home? They rent one! Of course you can do the same with an airplane. But with the ultralights it’s not that easy. Many owners would be fairly concerned about your pilot skills and the potential damages you could bring to their airplane and your health.
The best way to find an ultralight airplane for renting is to contact training companies and clubs and inquiry them. Some may refuse you, but some won’t mind. Typically the flying schools will allow you to rent an airplane for $75 – $125 per hour. It’s pretty expensive indeed!
If you plan to fly more often, you can consider membership in some club or company. For example Ultralight Adventures will let you use their airplane for only $35 per hour if you pay $100 monthly fee.
Paying for a piloted flight
This option is good if you don’t even own a pilot license. Many companies offer piloted ultralight flights for amateurs. The flights are usually short, 20-30 minutes or so and start from $70 – $80. That’s not cheap either, but it gives you the oportunity to experience your dream for less than $100 – even if only once.
If you are not from UK or USA, it may be harder to find such companies, but recently they started popping up even in much smaller countries with less aviation traditions. (For example here in Bulgaria you can purchase a 15 minutes ultralight flight as a gift to someone).
Attending pilot’s education
This is a way to combine the pleasure with a practical use. If you dream of owning an ultralight airplane, why not start with the education? The pilot education is not cheap at all (see more details here), but will give you enough hours of guided and even solo-flights.
Especially if you really plan to own an airplane sooner or later, it’s much better to start with pilot training rather than spending money on paid flights. Of course this option is not useful for people who already can fly.
From all the options above, I would consider best buying a share if you are already a pilot. Renting is too expensive and is ok only if you want to fly very few times. Joining a club or company which gives their airplanes for lower price plus a fixed monthly fee is a good option too, but you should very well calculate the expenses depending on how often you plan to fly.
Whichever option you choose, you see it’s possible to fly on an ultralight airplane even if you don’t have much money. There are very few dreams that can be achieved for less than $100 and ultralight flying is one of them – even if done just for 30 minutes.
Published On Rss Channel: http://ultralight-airplanes.info
Used Ultralight Trikes – The Shortest Way To Start Flying
You have probably read the article about used ultralight aircrafts and already know that you can save a lot of money and time buying an used airplane. Of course, doing that has its disadvantages too and you should know how to choose a good one.
Why trike and why used?
Cheap for sure is one of the main reasons. A brand new flex wing ultralight airplane can cost $10,000 – $25,000 or even more. An used one can be found for $5,000 – $6,000 or even less. Another advantage of the used aircraft is that a real person has flown on it and has eventually taken care well after it. Some used ultralight trikes may even have improvements made by their previous owners.
ADSENSE
Another advantage of the used aircraft is that you can own a model which is good, but is not manufactured anymore (or not accessible as new in your country/area). Some good models have been stopped either because the company who produced them no longer exists or because it moved to developing other models. You can still find many of these aircrafts to be sold as second hand and you can buy one.
Why trike and not fixed wings airplane? I can suggest you reading How To Fly Easier With Flex Wing Ultralight Aircrafts (Ultralight Trikes) – you will find out some advantages and disadvantages of the ultralight trikes.
Safety of used trikes
Like with any used aircraft, you should be extra careful about the safety. Check the instructions in used ultralight aircrafts article for most of the issues you should look at.
In addition to what’s said above, check out if all the needed equipment comes with the aircraft that’s been sold. See also if they’ll give it to you with a parashute or you’ll have to buy one. Perform any other safety “common sense” checks – in general the airplane needs just to be hale.
Flying a trike you’d better have also a helmet, so take a look if such is included in the offer too.
Some popular ones
The ultralight trikes are probably the widest category of ultralight airplanes (in Europe often call them microlights, see our microlights section) and there are really thousands of models and experimental/homebuilt ones. Still, I know for few who are very popular and are easy to be found or sold as used aircrafts.
Do a search for example at Pegasus Aviation ultralight trike. Pegasus is one of the most popular trikes – very good and produced by UK company. If bought new, it’s not cheap at all – I’ve seen ones to be sold for $20,000 – $30,000 and even more. Second hand offers are available from $5,000 and above.
Quantum is another cute flex wing ultralight aircraft which is easy to find. The sell offers usually start from $15,000 and go up.
If you are looking for another good two-seater, I can recommend you COSMOS, which can be found used at a base price of only $4,000.
Of course you can simply choose to search your favorite search engine and type flex wing ultralight for sale or ultralight trike for sale and you’ll find classifieds mostly of used airplanes.
I am not giving direct link to classified sites (at least until we create our own section for that purpose), because they may not be there tomorrow or when you read this.
Although buying an used ultralight trike is probably the cheapest way to fly, it’s still not free or trivial. Make sure you are not risking your life just to save money. Look for good deals, but better miss some offer which may look too much like a bargain. Don’t try to save from parashutes and other equipment or from flight training. If you approach buying your second hand flex wing airplane seriously, chances are you will enjoy cheap and smooth flying.
Published On Rss Channel: http://ultralight-airplanes.info
Ultralight Gliders – Flying Without Engine
Do you know how the ultralight aviation started at? No, it is not coming from the general aviation. The ultralight airplanes have evolved from hang gliders. But this evolution did not kill the gliders. They are still widely used and available in many variations.
What exactly is an ultralight glider?
The gliders are unpowered aircrafts, used for sport and fun. In rare cases they might have engines, but the standard gliders are flying without any. The ultralight gliders are lighter version gliders, just like the ultralight airplanes are subclass of the light airplanes.
These aircrafts usually have place for only one person – the pilot. They may have seat and even cabine, or might have only hangs like the unpowered trikes. The heavier gliders look more like airplanes and usually have closed cabines.
In most cases you don’t need pilot’s license to fly a glider. This is one huge advantage of the gliders against the ultralight airplanes.
Once in the sky, you can fly your glider for hours without engine. There is nothing closer to soaring like a bird than that.
How do the gliders take off the ground?
There are 2 main methods for lifting up your glider:
The most popular approach to start flying is to get the glider dragged and lifted up with a powered airplane. The glider and the airplane are tied with a rope and when the rope is released, you can start your free flight. This is an easy way, but of course you’ll need to find someone with an airplane :-) This method is also called “aero-tow”.
I was more interested to learn about the second way of lifting up the glider. It’s called “winch launching” and a land locked engine is used for it. The winch is connected with a long rope to the glider. The winch is quickly picking up the plane and the pilot can release the cable when he decide he is ready for free flight.
In case you want to picture it better, see Understanding the Winch Launch written by by John Gibso.
Ultralight gliders safety
One of the accidents which happens often with gliders is the “mid-air collision”. It is a wide topic, that I can’t cover here. If you want to know more check out Collision Avoidance in Gliders.
There is also bunch of very useful advice on Gliders Safety Pledge.
Other than the mentioned issues, there is not much to worry when flying a glider. Since there is no power, you will not have problems with sudden engine downtimes or fuel outflow. The gliders are fully manageable in the air, so don’t think that you just fly where the wind takes you ;-)
How much do gliders cost?
I was hoping that the gliders will be much cheaper than the powered ultralight aircrafts, but unfortunately that is not the reality. The cheapest single place gliders I found start from $6,000 – $7,000. This is not bad at all, but for the same money you can get a microlight airplane.
However the hang gliders (some are just delta planes) can be found for as low as $2,000 – $3,000 or even few hundreds (see here).
The two place gliders start from $30,000 and go up.
So why glider?
If the gliders are not much cheaper than the ultralight airplanes, is there any economical reason to buy one? Well, think about it. Once you are in the air, you can fly for hours – and for free. No fuel. No smoke. No noise.
Add to that the great feeling that you experience – flying on the wind. With some ultralight gliders you will feel the air around you. It’s really an option to consider.
The main issue with the gliders is taking off the ground, as you don’t depend entirely on yourself. But even this issue is solved in most hang gliders.
Published On Rss Channel: http://ultralight-airplanes.info
Microlight Airplane
The microlighting is a version of the ultralight aviation which generally is considered even lighter.
There are different opinions and definitions where is the border between the ultralight and the microlight airplanes, but this is not as important.
What really matters for you is that the microlight aircrafts are giving you in general easier and cheaper way to fly. Here you will find information about all kind of weird and cool planes – experimental and home built, powered paragliders, delta planes and more. The microlight aviation is a really exciting venture!
How To Fly Easier With Flex Wing Ultralight Aircrafts (Ultralight Trikes)
When I first learned about the microlight airplanes, I was very excited. The idea to buy my own aircraft for less than $10,000 was really very tempting. But then I started thinking about the related expenses – hanger, airport taxes, support of the plane, license costs… And the things were… Continue >>
Touch The Sky With An Affordable Microlight Airplane
Almost everyone has seen and has flied with a standard light airplane or a helicopter. These vehicles are cool and fast – but when you fly you are enclosed in the cabine and can’t feel the air. And sadly, if you want to own an airplane you need really big… Continue >>
Published On Rss Channel: http://ultralight-airplanes.info
Personal Hovercraft – Swim, Drive And Fly Over The Ground
What I am going to introduce to you now is not exactly an aircraft. It won’t let you soar above the mountains. Hovercrafts are not airplanes. But still many ultralight aviation fans are interested in having their personal hovercraft. There are few reasons for that:
- The enjoyment of driving a hovercraft over grass, water or snow is quite similar to flying an ultralight airplane
- Hovercrafts are safer than aircfats
- Hovercrafts are easier to maintnain
- They don’t need airports and runaways
- You don’t need a license to drive a hovercraft
These are pretty strong arguments in favor of the hovercrafts. The topic worths further exploring.
ADSENSE
So, What Is a Hovercraft And Personal Hovercraft?
The hovercrafts are amphibious vehicles supported on a cushion of high pressure air. In fact the hovercrafts fly on this thin cushion over the land or water, but unlike the aircrafts they need a flat surface very near under them.
The personal hovercrafts are small crafts usualy handling up to 10 passengers, but most often they are made for just 2 or 4 persons. One typical small hovercraft would look very simple to a flying boat or float except the wing.
The construction and way of flying of course are very different.
The Famous HovPod
This great vehicle can be used on water, grass, snow, road and other flat surfaces. You can even see people with personal hovercrafts climbing on mountains.
Where To Find A Hovercraft
If you intend to buy a personal hovercraft, I can recommend you to have a look at The HovPod. You can even get additional information on email if you fill this form.
There are hundreds of others manufacturers of personal hovercrafts which you can find thru the search engines and on other web sites.
The personal hovercrafts can be as small as your car or even smaller, and, you guessed right, you can keep it in your garage.
Hovercraft Kits And Building It Yourself
Many hobbyists build hovercrafts themselves or use hovercraft kits. Building a hovercraft is easier than building an ultralight airplane because there are less things to care about – like aerodynamics – and the hovercraft kits have less details.
Some enthusiasts build their hovercrafts from scratch, just purchasing plans online for $100 – $150.
In general owning a hovercraft is more affordable than owning an ultralight airplane – not so much because of the price itself, but because you don’t have to pay licensee and education fees neither you have to pay for hangar. The hovercrafts do not impose such high requirement to your health and learning to drive them does not take so much of your time.
Of course nothing can really replace the enjoyment of flying an ultralight airplane :) But the hovercraft is a great option if you are just looking to have some great fun without too much of a hassle.
Published On Rss Channel: http://ultralight-airplanes.info
Biofuel – Fuel for Airplanes?
On the verge of several new inventions Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 was tested to fly on Biofuel. It was the first commercial jet ever to fly on Biofuel, a fuel produced from plant matter instead of petroleum or other fossil fuels.
Published On Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:17 Rss Channel: http://ezinearticles.com/?cat=Travel-and-Leisure:Aviation-Airplanes
Aircraft School
Receiving good flight education is the key for your successful and safe ultralight flying. Selecting an aircraft school is complex process and the education costs a lot so spend enough time on this.
The articles on this page will help you not only choose a flying lessons provider, but also decide when to do it. You will also learn about the alternatives of attending an aircraft school.
How To Find Good Ultralight Flying Lessons For Helicopters And Airplanes
When it comes to the things that keep us from learning to fly you will see the ordinary suspects to show up. Not enough time, not enough money, inappropriate season, health issues… Most often the thing which really stops us is lack of information about what exactly to do. To operate… Continue >>
Should You Attend An Aircraft School?
Your life and your safety are the most important things you have to consider when flying. No wonder that the safety is a major concern for many beginner pilots, but it’s a pity that a lot of them don’t even try because of that fear. The ultralight aviation is not unsafe… Continue >>
Published On Rss Channel: http://ultralight-airplanes.info
Understanding The Maintenance Of An Airline
Just the other day Southwest Airlines was slapped with a 10 million dollar fine for failure to inspect airplanes. Is this a common problem?
Published On Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:08 Rss Channel: http://ezinearticles.com/?cat=Travel-and-Leisure:Aviation-Airplanes
Touch The Sky With An Affordable Microlight Airplane
Almost everyone has seen and has flied with a standard light airplane or a helicopter. These vehicles are cool and fast – but when you fly you are enclosed in the cabine and can’t feel the air. And sadly, if you want to own an airplane you need really big money!
Now imagine you could have all the following at once:
- your own aircraft for cheap
- staying in your garage
- flying for the same price as driving your car
- flying like a bird and feeling the wind surrounding your face
This all is achievable with a microlight! It’s really a flying in the way it has to be and the best of all – it’s affordable.
So what exactly is a microlight?
No kidding, It’s an aircraft. Some microlights look exactly like an airplane – these are known as fixed wing vehicles. Some of them are closed just like any other airplane, while the other’s cabines are open and you can fly like the Wright Brothers.
Others, called flex wing aircrafts – also known as ultralight trikes – look more like a motorcycle with wings or a motodeltaplan (which actually they are). Their cabines are always open.
By definition – which of course varies depending on your country – a microlight aircraft is considered an airplane not exceeding 390kg including pilot’s weight and fuel. Often it is messed with the ultralights [more about the ultraligh airplanes], but in general they weight more.
So cool… and safe
The statistics are pretty clear – proportionate to the number of hours they fly, the microlights are one of the safest airplanes. It’s not more dangerous than driving your car. Stop worrying.
And affordable
Affordable? I would even say cheap. Some of the new microlights are not as cheap actually – they may cost more than $20,000. But if you look at used machines offered in various classifieds sites, you can find airplanes sold for $5,000 – $6,000!
The flex-wings and the various hybrids can be even cheaper. A new one is often sold for about $10,000 – $12,000 and you can find a second hand aircraft for as low as $3,000.
The microlight airplanes use standard motorcycle or car fuel – 2-3 gallons per hour at cruising speed. So they can be even more economical than your car!
Storage fees? Do you have a garage? It’s a perfect place for your flex-wing. A fixed wings aircraft may need a bigger place though – depending on how large your garage is.
There are some additional fees like license and various club fees – which depend on where you live – but rare exceed $100 – $200 per year.
The requirements
In the old days of the microlight aviation these airplanes were unregulated. Nowadays you need to have your plane registered and own a pilot’s license.
The licensing of a microlight is much cheaper and easier in USA than in Europe. But in both continents it’s easier than getting an ordinary airplane license.
Building one yourself
Well, there are a lot of kits for ultralights and some for microlights [read more about the aircraft kits]. You can even find microlight helicopter kits. If you are an engineer you can build one yourself from scratch. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
The microlight aviation is the most exciting and affordable way to fly – for the ordinary people.
Published On Rss Channel: http://ultralight-airplanes.info
Should You Attend An Aircraft School?
Your life and your safety are the most important things you have to consider when flying. No wonder that the safety is a major concern for many beginner pilots, but it’s a pity that a lot of them don’t even try because of that fear.
The ultralight aviation is not unsafe. The inexperienced pilots are. More than the half of the ultralight aircraft incidents happen because of human mistakes and not because of technical issues.
You do need to take care about your pilot’s education
The requirements in many countries will allow you to fly your airplane without being prepared enough. It’s only you who can force yourself to take more flying hours.
One of the best approaches to getting better pilot’s training is to attend an aircraft school. You do not definitively need to do it. But it is a very good idea – if you can afford some expenses. It’s not only very useful for improving your skills and safety, but it’s also a way to experience what the microlight and ultralight flying is even before buying your aircraft.
What should you expect and require from your aircraft school?
- Some aircraft theory. Maybe you think you don’t need that. Better reconsider, you need it. And you will like it, it’s a fun
- Learning to fly. Of course, this is why you are there at first place.
- Aviation methodology.
- Flight planning and navigation.
- Radiocommunication. All aircrafts are required to have radiocommunication equipment and you need to know how to use it.
- Emergency. What to do in case of a trouble.
- Builders education. Not all aircrafts schools will offer you this, but if they do, consider it a great offer. It will be great knowledge to have, especially if you plan buying an ultralight airplane kit
The pricing
This is a very flexible matter. The various aircraft schools offer a very different range of services and prices. In general you can expect to pay between $50 and $150 for introductory flight. Then consider about $125 per hour training. You will need at least 10 guided hours and 3-4 supervised solo flight. You can try calculating yourself.
Some schools will have a package price and teach you fly in just 15-20 hours for total $2,000. Such an offer is a bargain, if they can offer you some theoretical education too.
In most countries to become a certified pilot, you will need to pass a Pilot Written Test. Check if your aircraft school offers education for this.
Are you from USA? Check out this list of US ultralight aviation schools for more ideas and information.
Aircraft School Alternatives
Of course, you may just ask a friend pilot to help in your education. If your friends can’t fly, why don’t you try to join some aviation club? See for example some clubs in Australia.
Many of the clubs have their own aircraft schools and offer discounted services for members. Some have various joint effort initiatives which can significantly reduce the costs.
A good way to start in the ultralight aviation (except reading this site) is to subscribe to some of the best aviation magazines.
Ultralight Flying covers all aspects of ultralight and light-sport aircraft, and a wide variety of other air sports, including powered parachutes and paragliding. Each issue feature exclusive pilot reports, maintenance and flying tips, new products and special features. January issue features yearly buyer’s guide.
Today’s Pilot,
although not concentrated only on the ultralight aviation, is maybe the best magazine about flying. It will regularly offer you tutorials on flying and information about getting flying education.
Whatever you choose to do, you must take care and get well educated and trained before you start flying on your own. Flying is safe if you can fly good. If you spend more time learning, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the ultralight aviation once you buy your aircraft.
Published On Rss Channel: http://ultralight-airplanes.info
Ultralight Seaplanes – Amphibians, Flying Boats and Floats
All these are different types or just names of an interesting category ultralight aircrafts – the Ultralight Seaplanes. Are you already asking what’s so great about them?
Imagine what were you going to do if you had both a boat and an airplane. (Or maybe you already have them?) If you want to go fishing in an Idaho lake, but you are from Montana, you’ll have to use either your plane or your boat. Well, in most cases getting your boat will be even impossible.
Why not go fishing with your favorite boat and plane together?
ADSENSE
Ultralight Seaplanes – Easy Flying, Easy Sailing
In short, the ultralight seaplanes are airplanes which can land on and take off from water. Some of them can also be used on the ground, others can do it only in water. Here are the two main types of ultralight seaplanes:
- Ultralight Amphibians – they can be used both on the ground (i.e. race) and in the lake. Usually they have slender pontoons mounted under the fuselage which help them to sail. They look almost like regular fixed wing airplanes. Often they are