Most aviators like to think the general public sees them as adventurous and part of an elite
group.
After all, in the United States, a country with a population of more than 300 million
people, fewer than 600,000 are pilots (including student pilots).
This means that only 0.2% are pilots.
To put that in perspective, a high school graduating class of 500 usually has only one
valedictorian.
And statistics say there is probably only one person in that class who will someday
become a pilot, too.
(Yes, I know.
Not everybody graduates from high school.
But not all military pilots make the FAA lists either.
Let’s call it even for argument's sake.)
The point is, there just aren’t a lot of people flying anything out there, and being
elite isn’t always what it is cracked up to be.
In the commercial and political worlds, numbers usually mean more favorable attention, which
is why it really is good to introduce as many of your friends to flying as you can.
While this channel focuses more on light airplanes like Cirrus, Pipers, and Cessnas, this video
is going to shine a light on an even more elite group of pilots, those who fly what
we might call specialized wings.
The wings may be conventional-looking but are covered with Dacron.
Or they may be made out of nylon and string.
Or they could be nothing but the blur of a rotor.
In fact, the pilots in this group don’t commit to aviation so much as they go out
to have fun.
What they fly compares to the good old Cessna 172 the way a motorcycle compares to the family
minivan or the way a sedan compares to eighteen-wheelers.
The kind of plane pilots in this group fly is classified under the part 103 ultralight
rule.
Airplanes classified under this category don’t require a pilot’s license.
With them, you can get into the air with sufficient basic training, (but with some serious limitations);
they can't weigh more than 254 pounds, can only have a maximum fuel capacity of five
US gallons, can only have a top speed of 55 knots, must have a power-off stall speed of
24 knots or less, can only be used for recreation or sports flying, and the pilot must be the
sole occupant.
These planes are open enough to include a lot more than just the open-air, fixed-wing
aircraft that most people recognize as ultralights.
They also include powered hang gliders, powered parachutes, powered paragliders, gyroplanes,
and even helicopters.
As long as the aircraft conforms to the Part 103 ultralight rule, the pilot is not required
to carry an FAA pilot license.
Ultralights remain one of the cheapest and least regulated ways to get into the sky,
though they are viewed as risky by many old-timers who remember some of the growing pains of
the sport back in the late 1970s and early 80s.
But ultralight aircraft and training have matured over the years and offer safe ways
to fly.
Because ultralighting is mostly unregulated, more than the normal buyer beware warnings
go along with the sport.
One of the cheapest ways to get into the world of ultralights is by getting a rotorcraft.
When people think of rotorcraft, they think of helicopters, because gyroplanes are often
neglected in aviation.
Like ultralights, they have had an uneven history.
However, designers and the rest of the aviation community are beginning to understand some
of the aerodynamic issues that caused accidents in the past, and great designs have emerged.
Gyroplanes don’t normally have fully powered rotors, which makes vertical take-offs impossible.
Instead, they take off on a runway like airplanes.
Still, true vertical take-offs and hovers are the only two features you give up with
gyroplanes.
They have a lot of rotorcraft advantages, such as great capabilities in strong winds
because the wing moves so fast relative to gusts and turbulence, and a well-made gyroplane
is much simpler to fly than a helicopter.
One of the best gyroplanes you can get is the Fusioncopter jk-2 Nano.
This aircraft features a partially-enclosed cabin and a fairly traditional configuration.
Its empty weight is listed as a modest 220 pounds.
It features large wheels that enable take-offs and landings not only on runways but also
in undeveloped fields.
It is powered by a 48hp Polini Thor 250DS, which helps it climb at 400 ft per minute,
with a cruise speed of 45 mph.
But if you are looking for a traditional helicopter that doesn’t require a pilot’s license,
then consider the Innovator Mosquito Air.
The Mosquito Air was specifically designed to be simple, but intelligent and reliable.
It is powered by a 2-cycle, 64hp air-cooled piston engine, featuring a single main rotor
and tail rotor, a single-seat open cockpit without a windshield, and skid landing gear.
The best thing is that the Mosquito offers an advantageous power-to-weight ratio, a compact
size, and easy maneuverability, allowing the owner to fly as close to home as possible.
It cruises at 63mph, climbs at 790 feet per minute, and has a range of 70 miles, making
it perfect for sightseeing flights around your community.
This is a true helicopter in every sense of the word, despite its very basic design.
The open design means that the pilot is in maximum contact with the air, which is often
reported to be a great experience.
Fixed-wing airplanes are the most popular way to get into the world of ultralights.
Just as in the general aviation world, airplanes also dominate the ultralight world.
For those used to a certain airplane feel, ultralights can offer it relatively inexpensively
with a lot of features you would pay considerably more for in GA.
What you may not appreciate is that ultralight airplanes are experiencing a cautious resurgence,
with both fully built airplanes and kits.
As GAs' sales numbers continue to increase, pilots are giving more consideration to lighter
and cheaper options.
Some great examples of these are the Phantom X1, the Hummel Ultracruiser, the Ultralight
Lazair, and the Aerolite 103.
The Aerolite is my favorite of these.
Primarily because of the way it is built, you can assemble it yourself in less than
50 hours.
The kit includes the fuselage, wings, control surfaces, jury struts, and struts.
The kit doesn't include a power plant, propeller, or instruments.
You don't get fancy avionics in this plane.
It's only equipped with a rotor paddle, a control yoke, electric flaps, a steerable
nose wheel, and a left-hand throttle, which is okay for you to navigate around under the
visual flight rule.
The standard recommended engine is the Rotax 447, with the 46-hp Rotax 503 engine optional.
It has a cruise speed of 55 mph and about 100 miles of range, and it climbs as fast
as 800 feet per minute.
If you want something that looks more like a conventional low-wing light plane, then
consider the Hummel Ultracruiser.
The best thing about the Ultracruiser is that it is easy to build, just like the aerolite.
Another good thing is the attention to detail in the design; it's very good-looking and
impressive.
Speaking of performance, you can cruise at 60mph in this aircraft, and it can only stall
at 20mph, meaning you can fly extremely slowly, which makes it perfect for a sightseeing flight.
The Ultracruiser is powered by a 38 hp VW four-stroke engine, with a good climb rate
of 1000 ft per minute and a cruise speed of 60 mph.
Moving to Powered Parachutes Even before ram-air canopies were developed
for skydiving, those wings were used for powered flight.
Powered parachutes began their development in the 70s and have grown to be a simple,
fun, safe way to fly.
They are some of the ultimate fair-weather fliers in that the lower the winds, the better.
You will normally see powered parachutes in the air either early in the morning or late
in the afternoon, around sunset.
Their low speeds and simplicity of controls make for great photography platforms.
A typical powered parachute pilot flies hands-off, except for the throttle, which needs little
attention at altitude.
Low speeds mean that powered parachute pilots can fly lower without risking collisions with
obstacles or disturbing the neighbors.
At 30 mph, a powered parachute just can’t make a high-speed pass.
Some of the best-powered parachutes you can get out there are the Infinity PPC Challenger
and the Six Chuter P3 Lite.
Moving to Powered Paragliders Powered paragliders are the foot-launched
versions of powered parachutes.
They represent their own category, with different, higher-efficiency wings and lighter engines
that are worn on the back during take-off.
After take-off, the pilot settles into a slung fabric seat that is part of the engine assembly.
Powered paragliding requires additional training for pilots and a certain athletic ability.
The reward is an inexpensive, highly portable aircraft that can be easily carried on a car
rack, much like a bicycle.
Combine this with minimal requirements for a runway, and you have what many consider
the ultimate recreational flying toy.
The Scout One Carbon is a good choice if you are considering this option.
Only the most adventurous flying enthusiasts should consider the Scout One Carbon due to
its lightweight, which makes it more difficult to control.
However, this paramotor lets you push the boundaries of aerial exploration.
It features a robust frame made with carbon fiber for the perfect blend of durability,
low weight, and a stunning visual design.
The carbon fiber design makes your machine slick and streamlined in the air.
It has minimal drag, so you can fly without resistance.
While the cage section has an efficient strength-to-weight ratio, it doesn’t sacrifice power or performance
compared to other steel or aluminum models.
Moving on to trikes These are best described as powered hang gliders
that are steered by pushing on a bar attached to the overhead wing.
Pushing the bar actually moves the suspended cart's center of gravity relative to the wing
and changes the aircraft's direction and/or attitude.
Trikes move faster than powered parachutes and are generally slower than airplanes.
They are great for air touring, as they have some wind capabilities and are almost as portable
as a powered parachute if they need to be trailered.
A good example you can get is the Evolution Trike REV, which is fairly new, modern, and
has great performance.
It offers a completely unobstructed view with no front strut.
Available with 17" Tundra tires and all-wheel suspension that allows for off-field operation.