Ultralight Training
Hypothetically, since no pilot license is required, one could teach oneself how to fly and ultralight. It has been done--successfully by a few but ending in tragedy for others.
A three axis controlled ultralight (fixed wing with tail mounted elevator and rudder) flies much like a "typical" plane with a few important exceptions. Learning to fly a three axis controlled airplane does require a pilot's license and at least 20 hours of actual instruction from a Certified Flight Instructor is necessary. In addition, another 15 hours of solo flight and a flight test is required. In order to fly an "taildragger" aircraft, additional training is required.
Personally, I think anyone that would consider flying an ultralight without first earning a Private Pilot License is foolish. I think earning the tailwheel endorsement is also very important as well as some experience flying a glider. Flying an ultralight requires physical skills, but avoiding flight in controlled airspace requires navigation and chart reading skills.
Controlling yaw and avoiding stalls is critical for all aircraft. Landing safely is the hardest part of flying but not the most dangerous. Controlling yaw, stall avoidance, and landing is significantly more difficult in an ultralight. An fully loaded ultralight weighs less than 500 pounds. Even a light weight Cub weighs twice that. A Cessna 152 weighs three times that. So an ultralight is highly affected by wind gusts. Rudder and elevator control require more immediate and careful control. (Taildragger training helps.) Ultralights have significantly more drag than modern airplanes. They fly slower and they therefore decelerate from cruise speed to stall much faster. Most ultralights have "pusher" engines mounted high and behind the pilot which causes change in power to move the nose up and down. Finally, the pilot is seated much closer to the ground and the "sight picture" is very different; both can make the pilot more "ground shy" for more difficulty in landings.
In other words, before flying an ultralight, a pilot should have already developed a high level of speed, pitch and yaw control proficiency in windy conditions---especially during flight below 1000 feet AGL and in landings. And, the pilot should be highly trained in upset recovery and stall avoidance. (Upset and Stall recovery is no longer required for a Private Pilot, but Upset and Stall Recovery training in a Super Decathlon with metal wings is highly recommended.)
The standard "industry" advice from Certified Flight Instructors is for a Private Pilot to receive "transition training" by flying in a "two seat, high drag, pusher aircraft" so as to become familiar with the flight characteristics unique to such craft.
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| Quicksilver MX2 |
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| Challenger II |
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| M Squared Breese II |
The problem with this advice, is that these two place Light Sport Aircraft really differ quite significantly from an ultralight.
The Quicksilver MX2 weighs over 700 pounds, fully loaded or 40% more than an ultralight. And to be legal for a 220 pound pilot, the you would need a pretty light 140 pound CFI.
The Challenger can carry 800 pounds, fully loaded, so a normal weight CFI can fly with a 220 pound pilot, but is 50% heavier than an ultralight.
The M Squared Breese II weighs in at over 1035 pounds with a 220 pound pilot and a 200 pound CFI. More than twice the weight of an ultralight. Actually close to the weight of a Sport Cub. Wing loading is more than 7 pounds per square foot, compared to 4 pounds per square foot for an Aerolite 103.
I am not convinced that dual instruction in any of these planes would always adequately prepare every pilot for safe flight in an Aerolite 103. Probably would not hurt, other than building a false sense of confidence. In fact, there has been a fatality in an Aerolite 103 soon after the Private Pilot was "trained" or at least "familiarized" by a highly skilled CFI. In another instance, the spouse of a highly experienced Light Sport CFI died while flying her ultralight, obviously after being trained. Here is a video showing "typical" transition training. Notice the one "mistake" the "student" makes is the typical overcontrol with the elevator near the ground. Overcontrolling is a very common problem when flying an unfamiliar aircraft —it can be dangerous, particularly when it results in a stall.
I will say that the training received in this Dragonfly ultralight was excellent and the Dragonfly is close to the performance of the Aerolite other than being heavier.
My first solo flight was in a Cessna 150 in Camarillo, CA. I received dual instruction in the 150 and later in Denton, TX, a Piper Warrior as well as my high performance Piper Turbo Arrow III that I owned in 1978. (I had four CFI's during my prep for my Pilot's license. And back then, stall recovery training, not just stall avoidance was required.) I also flew with two CFI's in gliders. Later I sought my tailwheel endorsement and a serious upgrade in my training. I first flew a Cessna 172 with one CFI, then a Piper J3 Cub with another. I trained with a CFI in a Cubcrafters Sport Cub in Florida. Serious training with a CFI in a Super Decathlon and in the Cubcrafters Sport Cub I owned. Additional Upset and Spin Recovery Training with a highly qualified CFI in Tennessee. I also traveled to NJ to be trained landing on grass and pavement short fields landing over water and tall trees by one of the most respected tailwheel CFI’s in the US-famous for teaching Hollywood stars like Harrison Ford. Finally, I hired a CFI to verify my training by making a cross country trip with me. That is 12 different CFI's in 10 different planes.
In addition, I built a simulator using Lockheed Martin's Prepar3D software and XPlane software. The rig used an advanced high quality rudder system by Redbird with realistic stick, yoke and throttle controls.
Every plane has unique flight characteristics. The J3 Cub had significantly different characteristics than my Sport Cub. Flying a Super Decathlon with no flaps was nothing like flying my Sport Cub. Even my training in a Sport Cub without using flaps was very different from flying my Sport Cub with flaps. And, flying my Sport Cub solo was significantly different from flying with the CFI in the back seat! Proficiency in the Sport Cub was achieved more from the practice in the Sim and CAREFUL solo practice than from my flight with CFI's. (I really did not learn how to ride a bike until my Dad took the training wheels off after telling me to keep up my speed!)
Here is a very good "Transition Training" video from Canada
Flying a single seat ultralight is significantly different from flying with a CFI in a two seat Light Sport. It will handle similarly in many ways but will be effected by gusty winds to a higher degree. The sight picture will be different and the lighter single seater will require a more gradual and lighter touch to avoid over control. And, you may or may not have been trained sufficiently on the following: 1) You must be aware of the fact that the ultralight will slow considerably and the nose will lift with reduction in power-a stall is likely to be imminent with an abrupt reduction in power--stick forward without delay---this can be more or less pronounced with you flying solo than in the heavier Light Sport with both you and the CFI. Do not waste runway--fly at best rate of climb to reach safe altitude asap; 2) The nose will be pushed down with abrupt application of power--be careful near the ground; 3) You must be aware that the ultralight will slow and stall sooner in turns--maintain a margin of safety--fly at 1.4x stall speed=DMMS; 4) You must be careful to descend gradually during the stable final approach phase of landings and bleed off speed close to the ground to avoid bouncing; 5) You must maintain sufficient altitude during final to insure you can reach the field with power off. You must constantly be aware of your low glide ratio and maintain sufficient altitude at all times to be able to land safely with a sudden and unexpected engine out. i.e. Expect an engine out at any time and set speed at best glide immediately after engine out until you have picked your landing spot. 6) Finally build your proficiency gradually, becoming familiar with all flight characteristics through practice using an abundance of caution and care. Fly with a large margin of safety--understand DMMS; 7) Also remember that two stroke engines are lubricated by the fuel and oil entering thru the carburetor--avoid prolonged full load high rpm and idle--high load increases heat and wear; low idle starves the engine of lubrication.
Video shows intentional engine out glide at 25 mph.
An overconfident pilot is a dangerous pilot. Transition training is important--but such training does not necessarily have to be via dual training in a two seat Light Sport airplane. Learning to fly and understanding the principles of flight with all the potential unexpected hazards is more important. Getting a a tailwheel endorsement along with upset and stall recovery from a CFI IS important. Transition training in a two seater does not diminish the importance of the care and diligence while flying solo as outlined in the paragraph above. Knowing what to expect and an abundance of caution is very important.
The best "transition training" that I received was from a seasoned CFI that had actually flown an Aerolite 103. He pointed out the importance of speed management and stall avoidance, warning that angle of attack or nose up/down attitude during climb and descent was more important than just watching the air speed. Not too much nose up when climbing and a bit of nose down when descending. And, if a wing drops because of a stall or gust, use top rudder rather than aileron to stop any spin inception or arrest any spin. The Aerolite does give an indication of impending stall, but will probably not be noticed by an unfamiliar pilot new to the Aerolite--the normal "buffeting" a pilot experiences with most GA planes will not be experienced with the Aerolite so angle of attack awareness is very important. (The Aerolite 103 does not have wing warp or “washout” so it will stall at the wing tip at the same time as the root and hence may drop a wing when stalling. A small amount of flap during rigging can help.)
Practice in a sim. Watch YouTube videos. Seek the council of other more experienced ultralight pilots. Read as much about flying ultralights as you can find written. And, if possible, have a discussion with a CFI who has actually flown an Aerolite 103. One valuable resource, even if just for review by Private Pilot holders is the Ultralight Pilot's Flight Training Manual published by the US Ultralight Association.
Keep in mind that ultralights and "ultralight like" trainers are not built to the same standards as traditional aircraft like a Cessna 152. They are much more fragile and require more maintenance. I am not comfortable taking training in a plane that was not designed for lots of landings by "student" pilots who may land hard. The Quicksilver is robust as compared to most ultralights---click on the link and see all the issues of more heavily used Quicksilvers.
Excerpt:"The airframe on the MX was made up of aircraft grade anodized aluminums tubing and in most cases AN nuts and bolts. This made for a good reliable low maintenance, combination.
That is it made a good combination if the pilot made perfect landings and take offs, directly into the wind from a smooth runway, which unfortunately was not always the case, in a training environment."
I was even a bit uncomfortable taking my private pilot training in "rented" certificated aircraft. In my humble opinion, the planes were "legal" but did show signs of some deferred maintenance that I would not allow on my personal plane. The Cessna 150's and 152's had thousands of hours of use in most cases. Sometimes the brakes and tires were marginal. Engines were sometimes very hard to start. One plane had a sticking throttle-I was afraid it might break and cause a complete loss of power. In one case, I flew in a high hour Decathlon with wooden wings, subjected it to high g’s in unusual attitudes, with most people recommending that those wooden wings should be upgraded to metal because of fatalities from wooden wing fractures. I regretted that decision.
A bit of background. AC 103-7 was published in 1984. Powered ultralights evolved from hang gliders in the 1970's. Popularity grew in the 1980's and the FAA granted a "training" exemption to allow two place ultralight like crafts to be flown for the purpose of training ultralight pilots:
"Exemption 4274 is the exemption granted to the United States Ultralight Association (USUA). Current USUA instructors are also given permission to operate under this exemption. The privileges of this exemption are extended to USUA instructors only by written authorization of the USUA. Each USUA instructor has a personal copy of the exemption, with a letter from the USUA granting this authorization. New students should insist on seeing this document from their prospective instructors, to verify that their instructor is indeed operating legally. USUA instructors are proud of their accomplishments as instructors, and are happy to show you these documents. In 2004, this training exemption was extended again, with a termination date of January 31, 2008. This new termination date marks the end of ultralight organization's training exemptions. After this date, all instruction will be performed by Sport Pilot instructors."
The popularity of ultralights was not only because they cost less to buy, but also that you did not need to invest in the expense and time to earn a pilot's license. The FAA experimented with the training exemption, but came to the same conclusion that I have drawn---flying an ultralight requires the same level of training as that required for at least a Sport Pilot License. And training for a pilot's license requires aircraft that are significantly more robust than most two seat "ultralight like" trainers. So, the FAA decided to allow complete freedom for ultralights (with operating limitations) but withdrew from any form of approved "less intense and rigorous" training just for ultralight pilots. Their minimum "pilot" training was for the Sport Pilot License with training in a Light Sport or Certificated aircraft.
Interest in ultralights fell significantly after 2004. Today, most ultralight buyers are licensed Private Pilots "downsizing" to less expensive and simpler flying. Additional training specific to the specific ultralight is recommended, although this may or may not require additional "dual" training in a two seater depending on the pilot's previous training, experience and proficiency. Dual instruction and Solo flying a tailwheel LSA with full flaps deployed in a significant crosswind should provide sufficient experience, especially once "trained" to be extra diligent regarding speed management, stall avoidance, and being prepared for an engine out while flying an ultralight.
One example:
Scott Henry, a 14 year old flew his Aerolite 103 from Virginia to Oshkosh. His only training was from his CFI father mostly in a Cessna 152, with transition training using the crow hopping familiarization technique.
Update: I did not obtain any “dual” transition training in a two place “high drag pusher” aircraft. I completed my first two flights in my new Aerolite 103. I was diligent to keep angle of attack, air speed, and yaw “top of mind” and had “trained” for more than 20 hours in my simulator. (Biggest benefit from this was eliminating the temptation to over control the elevator while near to the ground.) I experienced the expected deceleration with a decrease in power caused by drag; the “leaf” like motion from even minor wind gusts aloft; the need to push the nose down during descent to avoid too rapid speed loss; and substantial adverse yaw requiring good rudder skill. It was very much like flying a Sport Cub with full flaps and using a wheel landing technique.
My conclusion is that if your flight experience has been limited in time and in the number of different planes, and if you have not earned a tailwheel endorsement, dual instruction in a light sport plane, preferably a tail dragger to learn rudder skills, would be absolutely essential. If you learn by one on one instruction rather than by reading and viewing instructional videos, then dual instruction would be essential. On the other hand, if you have over 200 hours of flight experience in several different types of planes, have been trained by several CFI’s, diligently read and view as much instructional material you can find, and practice on a simulator; then you will probably be capable of flying an Aerolite 103. Just remember that you should approach every plane you have not flown before with a “test pilot flying an experimental airplane” mindset and attitude.
If you do seek dual instruction from a CFI, be aware that each CFI is a unique person and will train differently. Do not assume that you are “qualified” simply because you took a few “lessons” and landed safely a few times. There is much more to flying than landing and a thorough understanding of stalls, spins, coordinated flight and all potential unexpected hazards is very important.
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