Ultralight Aviation 

NOW FOR SALE

see add at UPAC and at LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT

First flight of my Chinook - 912

Thank you - Gina and Gerry ,of Focus Sport Aviation, located at East Hawkesbury Airport (CPG5), Ontario, CANADA.  Gerry built my Chinook Plus 2 with, Rotax 912 four stroke engine, from a kit I purchased through Focus Sport Aviation from Aircraft Sales and Parts (ASAP) in BC.  The pictures of the building of the aircraft can be found HERE.  It is best viewed if "Sorted on Title" and "Comments View" is selected at the top right hand side.

I have a Pilot Permit - Ultralight Aeroplane, that allows me to fly both Basic and Advanced Ultralight aircraft in Canada.

Brief Ultralight History

Most early 20th century pioneer aircraft, like the Canadian-built Silver Dart, would be considered Ultralights under the current rules in Canada. But these aircraft grew up and became the modern light aircraft, military airplanes and airliners of today. Really small and ultra light aircraft were forgotten by the middle of the 20th century.
The history of modern Ultralights actually started on March 15th, 1975. On that day an American pioneer did something no human had ever done before, he achieved foot-launched flight from a level surface. On that day John Moody picked up his Icarus II biplane hang glider, started the 8 hp engine, opened the throttle and ran until he lifted from the frozen surface of a lake in Wisconsin. Modern Ultralights were born.
Foot launching these craft didn't last long as wheels provided a lot more safety for take-off and landing. The early Ultralights increased in weight and complexity quickly in the early 1980s. The US rules for Ultralights, FAR Part 103 froze the US Ultralights as very small and light aircraft, but Canadian Ultralight rules have changed with time.

Basic Ultralight Aeroplanes

Today the Canadian Ultralight rules allow basic Ultralights to have one or two seats, weigh up to 1200 lbs take-off weight and have a stall speed of 39 knots (45 mph) or less. Basic Ultralights are not permitted to carry passengers, although they may be flown with two pilots on board or with a student and instructor. Helmets are required when flying basic Ultralights. There are no specific maintenance requirements for basic Ultralights, but protecting your investment and yourself means taking good care of your basic Ultralight. Basic Ultralights are all registered in the series starting with C-I.

Advanced Ultralight Aeroplanes

Advanced Ultralight airplanes (AULAs) started as a new category here in Canada in 1991. They are single or two seat airplanes that comply with a Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association of Canada (LAMAC) publication called Design Standards for Advanced Ultralight Aeroplanes. AULAs must be purchased as a kit or complete aircraft. For quality control reasons they cannot be built from plans. Changes were made to the category in 2001 and, as a result, AULAs can now weigh up to 770 lbs for single seat Ultralights and 1232 lbs for two seat. Under the revisions to the category in 2001 powered parachutes and hang glider-based trike Ultralight designs may now qualify as AULAs.
Individual AULAs get their status from a Statement of Conformity that the manufacturer issues when the plane is built. This S of C indicates that the plane conforms to the standard for the type. The S of C allows the AULA to be registered with Transport Canada as an advanced Ultralight. AULAs cannot be modified without the written authority of the manufacturer and they must be maintained in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. If an AULA is modified without permission from the manufacturer or not maintained as required then it will lose its Certificate of Registration. If this happens and the gross weight was under 1200 lbs, it may qualify to be re-registered as a basic Ultralight, losing its passenger carrying status. Maintenance records are required for AULAs.
AULAs can carry a passenger, if the pilot is qualified to carry a passenger. This currently requires a Pilot Permit - Recreational or higher airplane licence. A Passenger Carrying Rating for the Pilot Permit - Ultralight Aeroplanes should become available at some point in the future. Helmets are not required to be worn in AULAs.
Starting at their inception in 1991, AULAs were registered in the C-F or C-G series, but since January 1997 they have been registered in the C-I series, like all other Ultralights. There are still quite a number around that have C-F or C-G registrations.

SUMMARY OF DIFFERENCES