what.htm

Why Fly Ultralights By Mike Lobban

5aac.jpg (24952 bytes)

How many people have you heard say,” I wish I could afford to learn how to fly?” Or “ flying is dangerous.” There is an alternative to the expensive and highly regulated general aviation world out there. It is just as safe as general aviation, plus you can get into flying for a fraction of the cost you think. It’s the Ultralight community, the fastest growing segment of aviation for the past few years. For folks who just want to enjoy flying around the patch or for adventurers who want to take long trips, there is a piece of the pie for you in ultralights.

Our biggest problem as ultralight pilots is to inform the public on how safe ultralight flying really is. Whenever I mention to someone that I fly an ultralight, the usual reaction I get is, “ Why would you want to do something so dangerous?” The truth of the matter is that with a proper approach to flying in general , this is not a dangerous pastime. There are a multitude of hobbies that are much more life threatening than flying very light planes, ( motorcycles, jet skis, boating, contact sports, etc.) Just check the statistics, they don’t lie. Driving a motorcycle to the airport is just as dangerous as actually flying the plane. Just driving your car around a city with all the idiots on the road is, I think more dangerous than flying ultralights. The reason we are not afraid of these other pastimes is that we all do it everyday without a second thought to the dangers involved.

Another reason is the press, who like to play up every accident involving an airplane or ultralight because an airplane accident is more sensational than a car crash, ( car crashes happen every day, no big deal). Still another reason is that in the early days of ultralight flying, anyone could build and fly their own airplane without any regard to rule of building, or having to take any flying lessons whatsoever. In the states, you still don’t need a licence to fly a plane under 250 lbs. These people contributed heavily to the bad reputation of ultralights.

The reality is the home designers and builders have been left behind and the few ultralight manufacturers who have researched and tested extensively have risen to the top of the heap per say. They are now building “ airplanes”, with parts and engines that are designed for airplanes. The days of bubble gum and bailing wire are gone. Proper training is also contributing to the better safety record, there are instructors out there who have only flown and taught on ultralights and they definitely know what they are doing.

Some other problems are general aviation pilots who are allowed to fly ultralights without any training in the ultralight plane. Sorry guys, but flying an ultralight is different than flying a Cessna or a Piper and having the impression that you can fly anything because you have a private pilots licence is wrong. Check the statistics, a lot of ultralight accidents are with a private pilot holding the stick on their first flight. There is a reason that you should take transition training in any type airplane you fly, just because the ultralight is a lot lighter does not mean that it’s easier to fly, on the contrary, in some cases it’s a lot harder, try flying an ultralight in strong winds, you had better have a strong stomach or a double strength barf bag with you, ‘cause the turbulence can be unreal.

My favorite part about ultralight flying is the cost, or lack of cost. I own a 1993 Challenger 11, which I have invested about 25,000 dollars to purchase. This is a well dressed plane with amphibious floats and retractable wheel skis for winter flying. My cost to operate is about twenty dollars an hour, which includes gas, insurance, tie down fees and maintenance. Compare this to a Cessna 150 which costs at least one hundred dollars an hour just to rent, add gas, tax and not to mention that you may not have a plane available for you, when you want it. For me it was a no brainer. Plus, I believe I am having so much more fun with my machine flying low over rivers, lakes and fields. I feel safer knowing that if an engine ever quits, I will have some type of a landing surface under me, thanks to the versatility of my different types of landing gear. I never did find much of a thrill just flying from one airport to another.

Consider the safety aspect, a pilot who can only afford to fly once or twice a month is not going to be as proficient as someone who can afford to fly everyday. I fly an ultralight in a mainly general aviation environment and try my best to fit in by following procedures and spacing in the circuit, but I have seen some really scary things preformed by some pilots who are well respected at my airport. Some of these folks look down their noses at me, because I don’t fly the more expensive planes. ( I should point out that the vast majority of GA pilots are very good pilots and welcome me with open arms at my airport.) Nothing replaces practice as a tool to proficiency! You should learn something new every time you strap your plane on, not re-learn the same things over and over because you forgotten everything since you have last flown because of a lack of funds.

One of the other things I enjoy most about ultralights is that I can do most of the maintenance myself and again, save lots of money. I can do modifications to the aircraft as long as I don’t alter the structure or the aerodynamics, as my plane is an advanced ultralight,(owning a basic ultralight allows you to do any modifications you want, although common sense must come into play. Don’t mess with something that has been tested to work properly) I don’t believe you need an aircraft mechanic just to change your spark plugs or hook up your heater. Just being around your plane and washing it, working on it, or just sitting around shooting the breeze with other pilots at the airport all adds the flying experience and meant to be enjoyed.

If there is a drawback to ultralight flying, it is the passenger carrying restrictions. Why can’t I, as a responsible adult, carry a passenger? It burns my butt to see kids can go out and buy themselves a superfast motorcycle and not be restricted in any way to who can sit on the back, but I cannot bring a passenger with me in a vehicle that is proven just as safe. I realize there is an endorsement in the works, but waiting for Transport Canada to study this thing to death is excruciating to say the least. I realize and understand that the past record of ultralight flying contributed to the governments overkill in regulating passenger carrying, but this was a long time ago and times have changed. We do have a safe sport now, and it’s frustrating to see the wheels of bureaucracy holding the process up. But enough about that, we still live in the least regulated airspace in the world and we should be thankful of that.

So, the next time someone says it’s to expensive to fly, show them this article and any statistics you can find to support this type of flying. Ultralight flying can only grow and as a proud ultralight pilot, ( gee, do you really think so), I am constantly trying to sell the sport to anyone who wants to know about it. I never get tired of talking about flying to anyone who might be interested. Send me an e-mail at lobbanmike@yahoo.com. and let me know what you think. Till next time, see you at the patch.

Want to see what it's like to fly an Ultralight? Watch this VIDEO

What is the MUA?