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09-11-2020, 02:48 PM | #1 |
Getting Wild
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Hampshire , Illinois
Posts: 90
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Anyone fly ultralights ?
I have been seeing ultralights go by every once in a while and thought it would be interesting to investigate further. Like a golf cart for the air. Also found out no FAA requirements to fly them but the craft itself has requirements.
Just starting to generate some info and was wondering if anyone can steer me into the right wind. I also found a EAA website this morning....very informational. Anyone fly ? |
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09-11-2020, 03:56 PM | #2 |
Happy Carting
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 73,418
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Re: Anyone fly ultralights ?
I fly RC. That as risky as close to flying as I want to get
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09-12-2020, 11:56 AM | #3 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,506
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Re: Anyone fly ultralights ?
I hear that! I have an airboat with aircraft motor- when I blew that motor up the only thing I could think was if I was in a **** plane I would of been dead! Granted we run em a lot harder and turn them up higher rpms than they do in a plane...
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09-12-2020, 06:09 PM | #4 |
Not Yet Wild
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 58
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Re: Anyone fly ultralights ?
I've flown experimentals but never an ultralight. My father liked the powered parachutes and I always hang out a lot at the ultralight line at Sun-N-Fun.
Ultralight manufacturer's love to tout the slow stall speed of their aircraft as a safety point. What often gets lost is the very high drag they have. When the engine quits there isn't much glide. You are coming down in a hurry and at a pretty steep angle. --- And, I've been stuck in the swamp when our boat powered by a LT1 had an electrical problem in the rain. Another boat powered by a Lycoming O-540 came and picked us up. After that I've had an even greater love of the cave man simple aircraft engine. |
09-12-2020, 07:33 PM | #5 |
Gone Insane
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 14,215
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Re: Anyone fly ultralights ?
I love the idea of having my own plane. A 4 seater single engine.
But the way I see it I have been lucky enough with motorcycles, jet ski's, and boats. I think I'll leave the flying to somebody else. |
09-12-2020, 09:59 PM | #6 |
Getting Wild
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Hampshire , Illinois
Posts: 90
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Re: Anyone fly ultralights ?
Pilotdane,
Yes, stall speed is an easy number to find in kit plane advertisements, drag is not. If I remember, when I did see a stall number, it was given as a ratio. Ultralight manufacturer's love to tout the slow stall speed of their aircraft as a safety point. What often gets lost is the very high drag they have. When the engine quits there isn't much glide. You are coming down in a hurry and at a pretty steep angle. Does "drag" also have a ratio ? What kind of numbers am I looking for ? Thanks, |
09-12-2020, 10:13 PM | #7 |
Getting Wild
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Hampshire , Illinois
Posts: 90
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Re: Anyone fly ultralights ?
I've only got far enough to figure out that companies sell kits and not everyone is able to complete them. Some are selling them at reduced prices. Some have folding/removable wings....most ideal for a barn door versus a hanger.
One drawback is, now I must rely on previous unknown quality of work... I did find some books at the library on stick and rudder operation and info on the soft wing style. I don't think I can run very long with a motor and propeller on my back so I'm thinking sitting like my golf cart is best. Found some old aviation magazines too. |
09-12-2020, 11:12 PM | #8 |
Grumpy Old Guy
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SEMO
Posts: 2,705
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Re: Anyone fly ultralights ?
I'd love to fly an ultralight but being a big guy 6'4" and not skinny it doesn't leave me alot of choices. I'll probably try for a sport pilot license as no medical is involved. The FAA is currently redoing the requirements for sport pilot approved aircraft and will probably be approved by 2023 for certain 4 place and higher performance aircraft. A certified aircraft certainly sounds better to me than an experimental light sport.
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09-13-2020, 07:20 AM | #9 |
Not Yet Wild
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 58
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Re: Anyone fly ultralights ?
If I were buying an ultralight I'd probably buy a Kolb. They are one of the few companies that have been around a long time. At the air shows their planes seem to handle well and have good performance. And, if you are too small for a legal ultralight or want more performance they have LSA models.
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09-13-2020, 08:07 AM | #10 |
Getting Wild
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Hampshire , Illinois
Posts: 90
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Re: Anyone fly ultralights ?
Was looking at one of these,
https://kolbaircraft.com/firefly.htm Had fold back wings so it's easy to store and tow. Not really looking to go across the country. More for fun in the countryside. The back yard is 1/4 mile long so it doesn't need an airport and related expenses.... Just thought I would open some doors and see where everyone is at with this. Might not happen if numbers don't line up. Just so happy with the golf cart already that we managed over 120 hours this summer just going here and there. The dog has gotten very lazy. |