Questions regarding very lightweight powered aircraft.
4
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2answers
79 views
In the United States, are ultralights legally considered aircraft?
I sometimes here it stated that in the United States, ultralight vehicles are not legally considered to be aircraft. For example, Wikipedia used to state:
In the United States ultralights are ...
2
votes
1answer
88 views
What is the function of a sweep cable?
This is Goat3 ultralight with sweep cables,what is the fuction of these sweep cables?
1
vote
1answer
87 views
What is the purpose of this span wise “false spar” on Affordaplane wings?
This is the wing of an Affordaplane Ultralight,what is the use of those spanwise foam boards between the foam ribs,I know it's not for aesthetics.
0
votes
2answers
202 views
Can a Rutan Quickie be made into a legal Part 103 Ultralight?
I was was thinking about buying a 80s rutan quickie q-1, it has a 18 hp motor. I want to get a ultralight but I like this one because it is fast. Can I get a motor that would be within the ...
1
vote
2answers
73 views
To determine wing loading, do you need to subtract the weight of the wing from the gross weight?
Is it true that I must subtract the weight of my ultralight wing from the gross weight of my airplane inorder to determine the wing loading of my ultralight airplane? If yes,why is this so?
I read a ...
2
votes
4answers
199 views
Can time spent in consumer flight simulators increase the safety of flying light sports aircraft for licensed pilots?
I've asked this question to my flight instructor, who believes flight simulators do a very poor job of modelling flight physics for very light airplanes, which makes them useless for preventing ...
2
votes
1answer
75 views
How do wing ribs withstand lateral lift force?
During roll,there is a vertical component of lift that keeps the plane in the air and an horizontal component that actually rolls the plane,how are wing ribs designed to help withstand this vertical(...
1
vote
1answer
122 views
What is the purpose of wing stiffeners?
There are very few articles as to what wing stiffeners are on the internet, so my question is what are wing stiffeners?
2
votes
1answer
120 views
Strut braced or wire braced airplane wings?
For an ultralight (or other airplane designed for slow flight), would a strut-braced or wire-braced wing be more efficient aerodynamically?
2
votes
1answer
238 views
Is this type of wing design structurally sound? [closed]
Is the simple wings
frame(spar,ribs)of this maxair hummer structurally sound? I am asking because I'm considering using thesame wing design on my homebuilt ultralight.
0
votes
1answer
91 views
Do mono spar wings need compression strut(or ribs)?
Loyolksip
Regarding airplane wings, are compression struts needed in a mono spar wing?
Secondly, are anti drag and drag wires needed in a mono spar wings?
1
vote
2answers
165 views
In the US, do ultralight aircraft have tail numbers?
Just wondering if ultralight aircraft in the United States have tail numbers like the larger general aviation aircraft have?
6
votes
3answers
338 views
What is a biplane propeller and how efficient is it?
Lazair ultralight series II used biplane props to absorb more power from the engine....so my question is what really is a biplane propeller and are they efficient in comparison to a four bladed prop?
6
votes
1answer
401 views
What is the purpose of drag and anti drag wires?
What are drag and anti drag wires,and how important are they to the performance and strength of the wings of an airplane?
1
vote
1answer
126 views
What airfoil is used on the Lazair ultralight?
This is the airfoil of the famous Lazair ultralight. What is the name of this airfoil?
2
votes
1answer
380 views
Is it best to use a thick airfoil or an undercambered airfoil for slow speed flight?
The more the thickness,the more the frontal resistance,hence the more the drag a thick airfoil will produce.
Under cambered can help increase lift without increasing the airfoil thickness , therefore ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
What are the disadvantages of using just rudder to roll an airplane?
Ultralights with slight dihedral will roll and yaw on rudder input (e.g the Bloop 3, Maxair Hummer) so some don't have ailerons for the sake of simplicity. Is this kind of control input advisable, or ...
1
vote
2answers
184 views
Should I add balloons in my Ultralight wing to help it float if I land in the water?
I like to fly over rivers and lakes in my ultralight. One of the things that scares me the most is if my engine died, I might drown down in the depths of the water as I egressed out of my ultralight.
...
17
votes
7answers
5k views
What is wrong with a high-speed landing for an ultralight or GA aircraft?
Is it okay to land an ultralight or a general aviation plane at a speed higher than the recommended landing speed for such plane? Will there be any damage if the descent rate is very low?
1
vote
1answer
275 views
What airspace are ultralight pilots allowed to use? [duplicate]
So I've been watching videos and thinking about getting into ultra-light aviation. Flying in a personal air-trike or paramotor looks like a lot of fun. Being new to the aviation arena I had a couple ...
2
votes
3answers
410 views
What are the disadvantages of having vortex generators?
I know the advantages of vortex generators (VGs): lower stall speed, lower landing and takeoff speed according to www.stolspeed.com. So what are the major reasons most GA planes and low speed ...
2
votes
1answer
647 views
How to select the most efficient airfoil for low speed flight?
What airfoil (or family) has the highest $C_L/C_D$ ratio at speeds in the $50\:km/h$ range.
The use case would be an ultralight with a max speed of $50\:km/h$
1
vote
0answers
100 views
How are the landing, takeoff, and cruise speeds calculated for my homebuilt ultralight?
How can I calculate the takeoff, landing, and cruise speeds of my ultralight with a total weight (with load) of 120 kg, average air density of 1.23 kg/m3, wing area of 13.18 m2, and a coefficient of ...
0
votes
2answers
270 views
Are two little engines or one big engine more efficient for an ultralight?
For an ultralight, should two engines weighing 10kg each and making 7hp each OR one engine weighing 20kg and making 14hp be used?
0
votes
1answer
153 views
What is the lift-to-weight ratio during takeoff for an ultralight?
Lift to weight ratio at cruise is 1:1, what is the average lift to weight ratio during takeoff (rotation) of an ultralight with 2m/s as rate of climb?
0
votes
2answers
196 views
Is it OK to use foam for the ribs of an ultralight's wing?
I have seen several YouTube videos of ultralights and even HPAs (Human Powered Aircraft) that use foam as the ribs of their wings. Are ribs not supposed to be made of rigid, strong, woody and light ...
5
votes
3answers
336 views
How can filling a tube with foam help prevent buckling?
How can filling the empennage (aluminium tube) with Styrofoam stiffen it to avoid buckling as seen in Whingding ultralight?
1
vote
2answers
303 views
What is the average g force experienced on takeoff for an ultralight?
How much g-force is made on an ultralight during take off if its upward velocity of 2m/s?And what's the average g force experienced during takeoff on an ultralight?
2
votes
3answers
149 views
Is there any alternative to isolating the vibration of an ultralight engine other than using engine mounts?
Is there any alternative to isolating the vibration of an ultralight engine other than using engine mounts?
6
votes
1answer
1k views
How does the FAA define fuel capacity for ultralights?
Ultralights under FAR 103 are regulated to a capacity of 5 gallons. I'm wondering how exactly fuel capacity is defined, does it include fuel in the lines, and in the carburetor bowl or elsewhere or ...
1
vote
3answers
219 views
Could an ultralight hypothetically takeoff without power on if it were windy enough?
I don't know if takeoff would be the right term, but the wing should generate lift with any headwind.
2
votes
1answer
781 views
How is the airfoil of a fixed wing ultralight constructed?
This is a good example of the type of ultralight I am trying to build:
(Source)
How might the airfoil be constructed in this plane?
My guess was that it's mostly created by the cables that suspend ...
1
vote
3answers
241 views
I have really intense ear pain during descent in commercial flights. Would it be better or worse if I was flying a small non-pressurized plane?
Usually — but not always — after descending in a commercial jet airliner, my ears really hurt for several days, accompanied by minor hearing loss.
Nonetheless, I am still in love with aviation. I am ...
3
votes
2answers
588 views
How strong would a servo motor need to be to power the control surfaces of a fixed wing ultralight aircraft?
I'm looking to build an ultralight aircraft.
The video above shows a good example of how one is controlled with wires or with metal fulcrums/levers, but I am ...
3
votes
1answer
64 views
How is proper CG maintained in ultralight pusher aircraft?
Considering pilot weight can vary 100lbs or more how do ultralight pusher airplanes maintain proper CG range?
1
vote
1answer
86 views
What to do to maintain my Spanish ULM (GA) gyroplane licence valid in the USA when moving there?
I have an ultralight gyroplane (GA) Spanish license. What sort of conversion or validation process do I need to follow to be able to continue flying after moving to the USA?
16
votes
1answer
4k views
Could I use a powered parachute to fly around New York City?
NYC traffic is so horrendous that it would be pretty convenient to be able to take off with a powered parachute (PPC) from the top of a building or from a park and be able to fly above all the traffic ...
2
votes
3answers
629 views
Is it allowed to launch powered paragliders from national parks?
I'm new to the sport and can't find a written answer. I've been told by local PPG pilots that it is illegal to launch from state/federal parks.
I live near Johnson's Beach, Gulf Islands National ...
3
votes
1answer
322 views
What are the FAA regulations on lighting for ultralight vehicles?
I'm in the process of scoping out a project involving an ultralight vehicle and some Neo pixel LEDs.
In the US, there are many regulations for lights on cars. Things like the location on the vehicle, ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Do I need to use an airfield to take off or land a powered paraglider?
Most aircraft require a runway to take off and land, however powered paragliders simply attach to the pilot's back, requiring the pilot to run a few metres to take off. The landing distance is also ...
2
votes
1answer
475 views
Is there any other category of aircraft in the FAA regulations besides 'Ultralight' that does not require pilot licensure?
I am asking to clear up contention on my related question that was put 'on hold' by the moderators. To my knowledge, there is no other category of aircraft besides 'Ultralight' as defined in CFR 14 ...
1
vote
2answers
711 views
Why does the Zapata Flyboard Air UL consume so much more fuel/hr than the Mosquito Air?
They are both ultralight and abide by FAA ultralight reg 14 CFR part 103. The Mosquito Air is an ultralight 1 person helicopter whereas the Zapata Air UL is a micro jet turbine powered 1 person ...
1
vote
3answers
251 views
Would there be any further restrictions on the Zapata Flyboard Air than current FAA regulations for ultralight aircraft?
We are seriously considering investing in Zapata Flyboard Air personal hovercraft. We will use it on the east coast of USA Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey. The Flyboard Air was designed to fit FAA ...
5
votes
1answer
257 views
What classifies as an ultralight vehicle?
I am looking into the possibly of getting my pilots license and I noticed that it says you don't need a license for "ultralight vehicles".
What are ultralight vehicles?
I am located in the USA, ...
2
votes
1answer
530 views
What are the costs involved with getting a 2 seat ultralight?
About 7 years ago I got my private pilots cert but I let my medical cert lapse.
Now that life is more settled I'd like to get back into flying but I want something that I can keep at home. I was ...
8
votes
2answers
927 views
What callsign should an ultralight use?
I plan to operate an ultralight aircraft domestically (in Oregon, USA) in uncontrolled airspace and will not venture out of the country nor will I come near the Canadian or Mexican borders.
I have ...
11
votes
4answers
4k views
Which parts of class E airspace can an ultralight (part 103) fly in without prior ATC authorization?
I'd like to clarify a very specific statement from 14 CFR Part 103:
103.17 OPERATIONS IN CERTAIN AIRSPACE
No Person may operate an ultralight vehicle within Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D ...
4
votes
2answers
242 views
Can I fly from the UK to Spain on an NPPL(A)?
I have a UK-issued NPPL(A) with microlight rating, can I fly my own aircraft to Spain on this?
1
vote
0answers
156 views
Is it technically feasible to dampen the control stick in an Autogyro?
The control stick in a gyrocopter is too wobbly for a glider pilot's liking. Is there a way to dampen the stick in a Gyrocopter [Eg. the Air command] to make it feel as smooth and light as one would ...
7
votes
3answers
4k views
Is an ultralight aircraft allowed to fly near Class B airspace?
May an ultralight vehicle operating under FAR part 103 operate within Class G and E airspace while within the mode C veil surrounding a Class B airport?
Quoting directly from Title 14 CFR 91.1 ...
