How many EAA Chapters with an UL focus?

[Paul Swanstrom]

The main reason ultralights are dying is that the FAA, when they approved light sport planes and pilot training, they eliminated the rule which allowed training in two place training ULs. This also eliminated all the dealers who would sell kits and offer training. The FAA now allows training in only certified aircraft by certified flight instructors and all these planes are four to five times heavier. So much for type training.

[Dana]

I think a big problem are places to reliably fly from and store them. I was seriously thinking about a belite, but have since decided against.

1) I'd have to build a building at home to store it, buy a trailer for it, and trailer it 20 minutes to the airport every time I wanted to fly. The local airport won't rent hangar space to ultralights because there is such a long list / high demand for certified airplanes (currently 16 on the list, I've been told that some have been on the list for more than 2 years).

I have an enclosed trailer for my Kolb. I keep the plane in the trailer, at the airport, during the flying season, and pay the outdoor tiedown rate (there's a waiting list for hangars, but not for tiedowns).

3) A couple pilots at the airport that I talked to said they'd raise an issue with it with the board because of them being no radio (even though a hand held could be carried).

My airport allows ultralights as long as they have a radio. So I have a handheld, big deal. I think it actually be more important for an ultralight to have (and use!) a radio than a faster experimental, as the faster plane is likely easier to see and is more matched with the speed of the other aircraft in the pattern.

I've actually had a couple of GA pilots compliment me on my radio usage (I learned to fly at a towered field, 37 years ago). They seemed pleasantly surprised that a "mere" ultralight pilot would know how to behave.

[zaitcev]

My airport allows ultralights as long as they have a radio. So I have a handheld, big deal. I think it actually be more important for an ultralight to have (and use!) a radio than a faster experimental, as the faster plane is likely easier to see and is more matched with the speed of the other aircraft in the pattern.

What call sign do you use?

A towered (well, before sequester) aiport KAEG allows weight-shift ultralights. Often the faster traffic uses runway 22 while trikes use 17. However, trikes have N-numbers. So they are idenditifed as "Ultralight One Five Juliet" and such.

[1600vw]

What call sign do you use?

A towered (well, before sequester) aiport KAEG allows weight-shift ultralights. Often the faster traffic uses runway 22 while trikes use 17. However, trikes have N-numbers. So they are idenditifed as "Ultralight One Five Juliet" and such.

And that is really crazy because no ultralights have an N-number.

I believe the cost ran ultralights out of their class. Why spend 20K on an Ultralight when you can buy a used 150 or something that is reliable for the same amount and now you are going places.

[Dana]

What call sign do you use?

A towered (well, before sequester) aiport KAEG allows weight-shift ultralights. Often the faster traffic uses runway 22 while trikes use 17. However, trikes have N-numbers. So they are idenditifed as "Ultralight One Five Juliet" and such.

I just say "ultralight", i.e. "Chester traffic, ultralight turning left base one seven." If there are other ultralights in the pattern I might say "orange ultralight". If have yet to fly into a tower field, but if I did I'd use "Kolb ultralight".

Years ago you were supposed to use your radio station call sign, but now that a station license isn't required for an aircraft radio that's no longer an option.

[zaitcev]

Why spend 20K on an Ultralight when you can buy a used 150 or something that is reliable for the same amount and now you are going places.

This question was rehashed ad infinum. First, you can only fly a 150 as long as you can keep your medical. Second, you must be a Private pilot, and getting the rating is a significant expenditure. Third, you cannot keep 150 in a trailer. The MX is several times less on ultralights as well. So if a 150 works for you, by all means, go ahead. But the argument based on the purchase cost alone fails completely.