Editing Ultralight aviation

{{Redirect|Ultralight|the style of backpacking|Ultralight backpacking}}
{{Short description|Aviation field involving lightweight aircraft}}
[[File:huntair.pathfinder.arp.jpg|thumb|Huntair Pathfinder Mark 1 ultralight]]

'''Ultralight aviation''' (called '''microlight aviation''' in some countries) is the flying of lightweight, 1- or 2-seat fixed-wing aircraft. Some countries differentiate between [[weight-shift control]] and [[Aircraft flight control system|conventional three-axis control]] aircraft with [[aileron]]s, [[Elevator (aircraft)|elevator]] and [[Rudder#Aircraft rudders|rudder]], calling the former "microlight" and the latter "ultralight".

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, mostly stimulated by the [[hang gliding]] movement, many people sought affordable powered flight. As a result, many aviation authorities set up definitions of lightweight, slow-flying aeroplanes that could be subject to minimum regulations. The resulting aeroplanes are commonly called "ultralight aircraft" or "microlights", although the weight and speed limits differ from country to country. In Europe, the sporting (FAI) definition limits the maximum stalling speed to {{convert|65|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} and the maximum take-off weight to {{convert|450|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}, or {{convert|472.5|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} if a [[ballistic parachute]] is installed. The definition means that the aircraft has a slow landing speed and short landing roll in the event of an engine failure.<ref name="WDLA11">Boric, Marino, ''Spoilt For Choice'', Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al (editors): ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 10. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. {{ISSN|1368-485X}}</ref>

In most affluent countries, microlights or ultralight aircraft now account for a significant percentage of the global civilian-owned aircraft. For instance, [[Ultralight aircraft (Canada)|in Canada]] in February 2018, the ultralight aircraft fleet made up to 20.4% of the total civilian aircraft registered.<ref name="TCCARS">{{cite web|url = http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/smACtRes.aspx?ym=201802|title = Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Number of Aircraft by Category Result  |access-date =20 March 2018|author = Transport Canada|author-link = Transport Canada|date=February 2018}}</ref> In other countries that do not register ultralight aircraft, like [[Ultralight aircraft (United States)|in the United States]], it is unknown what proportion of the total fleet they make up. In countries where there is no specific extra regulation, ultralights are considered regular aircraft and subject to certification requirements for both aircraft and pilot.

==Definitions==
{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sticky-header"
|+ Definitions of ultralight aircraft
! Country !! Type !! Capacity !! {{abbr|MTOW|maximum take-off weight}} !! Time !! Licence !! Other conditions
|-
| rowspan="2"|Australia || [[Recreational Aviation Australia|Recreational Aircraft]]<ref name="AustraliaRegs">[http://flysafe.raa.asn.au/regulations/regulations.html An overview of the legislative framework enabling sport and recreational aviation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223085728/http://flysafe.raa.asn.au/regulations/regulations.html |date=2011-12-23 }} Accessed 7 January 2012</ref>||2||{{convert|600|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}}; {{convert|614|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}} for seaplanes||&mdash;||&mdash;||&mdash;
|-
|[[Light Sport Aircraft]]<ref name="RAALSA">{{cite web|url = http://www.raa.asn.au/operations/LSA_explained.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060819045236/http://www.raa.asn.au/operations/LSA_explained.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = 19 August 2006|title = Synopsis: the Light Sport Aircraft category|access-date = 12 July 2013|last = Kiehn|first = Chris|date = 15 July 2013 }}</ref>||2||{{convert|600|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}}; {{convert|650|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}} for seaplanes||&mdash;||&mdash;||&mdash;
|-
|Brazil||Ultralight||2||{{convert|750|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}}||Daylight visual conditions||&mdash;||Used mainly (or intended for) sports or recreation<ref name="RBHA">{{cite web|url = http://www.anac.gov.br/biblioteca/rbha/rbha103.pdf|title = RBHA 103A regulation, in Portuguese|access-date = 21 September 2009|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110129014547/http://www.anac.gov.br/biblioteca/rbha/rbha103.pdf|archive-date = 29 January 2011}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"|Canada||basic [[ultralight aircraft (Canada)|ultra-light aeroplane]]||2||{{convert|1200|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}||Daylight visual conditions||[[Pilot licensing in Canada#Ultra-light pilot permit|Ultralight Pilot Permit]]||Craft may be operated from land or water
|-
|advanced ultra-light aeroplane||2||{{convert|1232|lbs|kg|0|abbr=on}}||Daylight visual conditions||[[Pilot licensing in Canada#Ultra-light pilot permit|Ultralight Pilot Permit]]||Craft may only carry a passenger if the pilot has an [[Pilot licensing in Canada#Passenger-carrying—ultra-light aeroplane rating|Ultralight Aeroplane Passenger Carrying Rating]]; may operate at a controlled airport without prior arrangement<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Regserv/Affairs/cars/Part1/Subpart1.htm |title = Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part I - General Provisions, Subpart 1 - Interpretation |date = 30 December 2007 |author = Transport Canada |author-link = Transport Canada |access-date =22 March 2009 }}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="6"|Europe<ref>[[Joint Aviation Authorities]] (1 November 2004), [http://www.jaa.nl/publications/jars/500969.pdf JAR 1], {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060526034436/http://www.jaa.nl/publications/jars/500969.pdf |date=26 May 2006 }}, retrieved 7 February 2015</ref>||land plane/helicopter, single-seater||1||300&nbsp;kg||Daylight [[Visual flight rules|VFR]]||[[Pilot licensing in Canada#Ultra-light pilot permit|Ultralight Pilot Permit]]||Sport or recreation only
|-
|land plane/helicopter, two-seater||2||{{convert|450|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}}||Daylight [[Visual flight rules|VFR]]||[[Pilot licensing in Canada#Ultra-light pilot permit|Ultralight Pilot Permit]]||Sport or recreation only
|-
|amphibian or floatplane/helicopter single-seater||2||{{convert|495|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}}||Daylight [[Visual flight rules|VFR]]||[[Pilot licensing in Canada#Ultra-light pilot permit|Ultralight Pilot Permit]]||where operating both as a floatplane/helicopter and as a land plane/ helicopter, it falls below both MTOW limits, as appropriate
|-
|land plane, two-seater equipped with an airframe mounted total recovery parachute system||2||{{convert|472.5|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}}||Daylight [[Visual flight rules|VFR]]||[[Pilot licensing in Canada#Ultra-light pilot permit|Ultralight Pilot Permit]]||Sport or recreational use only
|-
|land plane single-seater equipped with an airframe mounted total recovery parachute system||1||{{convert|315|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}}||Daylight [[Visual flight rules|VFR]]||[[Pilot licensing in Canada#Ultra-light pilot permit|Ultralight Pilot Permit]]||Sport or recreational use only
|-
|gyroplane||1&ndash;2||{{convert|560|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}}||Daylight [[Visual flight rules|VFR]]||[[Pilot licensing in Canada#Ultra-light pilot permit|Ultralight Pilot Permit]]||Sport or recreational only
|-
|India||&mdash;||2||{{convert|450|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}} without parachute||&mdash;||current permit to fly<ref name="IndianUL">{{cite web|url = http://microlight.in/index_files/faqs.html|title = Microlight/ultralight FAQs|access-date =17 July 2008|last = Microlight Aviation|year = 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150105093421/http://microlight.in/index_files/faqs.html|archive-date =5 January 2015}}</ref>||&mdash;
|-
|Italy||ultraleggero||1&ndash;2||Max Take Off Weight MTOW
2 persons, {{convert|622.5|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}} ({{convert|600|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}} without parachute)

*Hydroplanes, {{convert|650|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}}
*Single, {{convert|300|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}}
*Hydroplane single, {{convert|330|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}}

Stall speed {{convert|65|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}
||Daylight, minimum of {{convert|500|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}.
||certificate exam, insurance and a medical examination.<ref name="Leggi e Regolamenti">{{cite web|url = http://www.ulm.it/info/leggi/leggi.htm|access-date =2 March 2011|title=Laws and regulations on ultralight aviation in Italy |language=it |year = 2011}}</ref>||Requires a helmet only for open cockpit aircraft. Flying over populated areas and assemblies of people are prohibited.<ref name="DPR 133">{{cite web|url = http://www.ulm.it/info/leggi/dpr_133.pdf|access-date =2 March 2011|title=Presidential decree 9&nbsp;July&nbsp;2010, n.133 | language=it |year = 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110722060124/http://www.ulm.it/info/leggi/dpr_133.pdf|archive-date = 22 July 2011|url-status = live}}</ref>
|-
|Japan
|Ultra light power machine<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/15_bf_000109.html|title=航空：超軽量動力機とは - 国土交通省|website=www.mlit.go.jp|access-date=2019-01-27}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001087993.pdf|title=サーキュラー No.1-007 超軽量動力機又はジャイロプレーンに関する試験飛行等の許可について|date=2015-03-20|website=航空：超軽量動力機等の安全確保について - 国土交通省|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128082907/http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001087993.pdf|archive-date=2019-01-28|url-status=dead}}</ref>

(undefined in Civil Aeronautics Act)
|1&ndash;2<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
|Max empty weight:
*{{convert|180|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}} (1 seat)
*{{convert|225|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}} (2 seats), with extra weight allowed for emergency parachute up to {{convert|11|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}} and for floats up to {{convert|28|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
|Daylight visual conditions<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/04_outline/02_anzen/03_keiryo/02_anzen/ulp28_3-1.pdf|title=超軽量動力機等に関する航空法第28条第３項の許可の手続き等について|date=2007-09-03|website=航空：超軽量動力機等の安全確保について - 国土交通省|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323203153/http://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/04_outline/02_anzen/03_keiryo/02_anzen/ulp28_3-1.pdf|archive-date=2011-03-23|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Minister's permission carried on board for each year<ref name=":2" /> instead of licence<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/15_bf_000115.html|title=航空：超軽量動力機等の安全確保について - 国土交通省|website=www.mlit.go.jp|access-date=2019-01-27}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/law/detail/?ft=2&re=01&dn=1&yo=&ia=03&kn[]=%E3%81%93&kana_x=23&kana_y=15&ky=&page=12&id=37&lvm=01|title=航空法 / Civil Aeronautics Act|date=2009-04-01|website=日本法令外国語訳データベースシステム Japanese Law Translation}}</ref>
Passengers also need permission.<ref name=":2" />
|Sports or recreational use only<ref name=":1" />
Other minister's permissions:

* flight permission (for each 2 – 4 months)<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />
* Permission of land owner for landing and for take off<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />

Flyable area: uncontrolled airspace over unpopulated areas, within {{convert|3|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from departure point and landing at another point forbidden.<ref name=":2" />

Aircraft:

* powered, non-certified, propeller aircraft, including autogyro, with landing gear
* Minimum required equipment: airspeed indicator and altimeter
* Maximum stall speed: {{convert|65|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}
* Minimum wing area: {{convert|10|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}<sup>2</sup>
* Maximum speed: {{convert|185|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}
* Maximum fuel capacity: {{convert|30|L|usgal|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" />
|-
|rowspan="2"|New Zealand||NZ Class 1||1||Single seat {{convert|510|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}}, {{convert|550|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}} for seaplanes; Stall speed {{convert|45|kn|km/h mph|0|abbr=on}}.||Daytime [[Visual flight rules|VFR]]||Microlight Licence required{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}||Part 103 Microlight Aircraft Operating Rules,<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aviation.govt.nz/rules/rule-part/show/103|title=Part 103 Microlight Aircraft Operating Rules &#124; aviation.govt.nz|website=www.aviation.govt.nz}}</ref> Part 103 advisory circulars<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aviation.govt.nz/rules/advisory-circulars/show/AC103-1|title=AC103-1 - Microlight aircraft operating rules &#124; aviation.govt.nz|website=www.aviation.govt.nz}}</ref>
|-
|NZ Class 2||2||2 Seats {{convert|600|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}}, {{convert|650|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}} for seaplanes; Stall speed {{convert|45|kn|km/h mph|0|abbr=on}}||Daytime [[Visual flight rules|VFR]]|| Microlight Licence required{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}||Part 103 Microlight Aircraft Operating Rules,<ref name="auto1"/> Part 103 advisory circulars<ref name="auto"/>
|-
|Philippines||non-type certified aircraft<ref name="car">[http://www.angelesflying.com/part11.html Angeles City Flying Club], Excerpt from part 11 of the Civil Aviation Regulations.</ref><ref name="caap">[http://www.caap.gov.ph/web/downloads.htm Civil Aviation Authority Philippines] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422213641/http://www.caap.gov.ph/web/downloads.htm |date=2009-04-22 }}, download page for all regulations.</ref>||&mdash;||&mdash;||Daytime [[Visual flight rules|VFR]]||&mdash;||recreational and sport use
|-
|United Kingdom||Sub-{{convert|70|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}} Unregulated, Single seat deregulated, 2-seat regulated.||1&ndash;2<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bmaa.org/about-microlighting/exactly-what-is-a-microlight-|title=The British Microlight Aircraft Association, new page 3786|website=www.bmaa.org|access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref>||Several definitions, from 70 kg with full fuel to {{convert|650|kg|lbs|0|abbr=on}} maximum weight at take-off||Daytime VFR||Licence not required for Sub-70&nbsp;kg, NPPL licence required otherwise<ref>British Microlight Aircraft Association. "[https://www.bmaa.org/information-library/pilot-licensing/learning-to-fly-in-sub-70-kg-aircraft]". Retrieved 24 July 2015</ref><ref>British Microlight Aircraft Association. "[http://www.bmaa.org/pwpcontrol.php?pwpID=2603 Licensed Flying, so you want to be a pilot?]". Retrieved 24 July 2015</ref>||Recreational. No paid work.
|-
|rowspan="2"|United States||[[ultralight aircraft (United States)|ultralight aircraft]]||1||Empty weight of less than {{convert|254|lbs|kg|0|abbr=on}} <ref name="FAR Part103">{{cite web|url = http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=550836984d4438af2f5c15d80dff5c99&rgn=div5&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.3.16&idno=14|title = Title 14: Aeronautics and Space, Part 103 - Ultralight Vehicles|access-date = 4 February 2011|last = Federal Aviation Administration|author-link = Federal Aviation Administration|date = January 2007|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110119113806/http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=22c6ba54693e62e34f8a50ae01c5cec3&rgn=div5&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.3.16&idno=14|archive-date = 19 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="USUAFAQ">{{cite web|url = http://www.usua.org/faq.htm|title = Frequently asked Questions|access-date =4 February 2011|last = United States Ultralight Association|author-link = United States Ultralight Association|year = 2009}}</ref>||Daylight hours||no license required||less than {{convert|5|usgal|L|0|abbr=on}} fuel capacity, empty weight of less than 254 pounds, a top speed of {{convert|55|kn|mph km/h|0|abbr=on}}, and a maximum [[stall speed]] not exceeding ({{convert|24|kn|mph km/h|0|abbr=on}}). May only be flown over uncongested areas.
|-
|[[light-sport aircraft]]||2||{{convert|1320|lbs|kg|0|abbr=on}}; {{convert|1430|lbs|kg|0|abbr=on}} for seaplanes.||Daytime VFR||[[sport pilot certificate]]||

*Max. Speed (CAS) in Level Flight {{convert|138|mph|kn km/h|0|abbr=on}}
*Max. Stall Speed {{convert|51|mph|kn km/h|0|abbr=on}}

Must have fixed landing gear, and a single engine with fixed pitch propeller.
|}
[[File:Pegasus quantum 15-912 microlight g-byff kemble arp.jpg|thumb|[[Pegasus Quantum|Pegasus Quantum 145-912]] [[ultralight trike]]]]
[[File:CTSW N646MA.jpg|thumb|[[Flight Design CTSW]]]]
[[File:PPGInFlight.jpg|thumb|upright|A [[Powered paragliding|powered paraglider]]]]
[[File:DFEAscenderIIIC01.jpg|thumb|A US-made [[Pterodactyl Ascender]] ultralight on a camping flight]]
[[File:UltraflightLazairSeriesIII.jpg|thumb|Canadian [[Lazair]] ultralight covered in clear [[Mylar]]]]
[[File:WikipediaHangmotor.jpg|thumb|A foot-launched [[powered hang glider]]]]

===Australia===
In Australia, ultralight aircraft and their pilots can either be registered with the Hang Gliding Federation of Australia (HGFA)<ref name="HGFA">{{cite web|url = http://www.hgfa.asn.au/HGFA/HGFA.htm|title = The HGFA |access-date =25 May 2008|last = Hang Gliding Federation of Australia|year = n.d.}}</ref> or [[Recreational Aviation Australia]] (RA Aus).<ref name="RAAus">{{cite web|url = http://www.auf.asn.au/admin/mission.html|title = About the RA-Aus association and our mission|access-date = 25 May 2008|last = Recreational Aviation Australia Inc|date = August 2007|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080519233742/http://www.auf.asn.au/admin/mission.html|archive-date = 19 May 2008}}</ref> In all cases, except for privately built single seat ultralight aeroplanes,<ref name="CASAUL">{{cite web|url = http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2013C00316/Html/Volume_4#_Toc358792547|title = PART 200 Aircraft to which CASR do not apply |access-date =25 May 2008|last = Legal Services Group Civil Aviation Safety Authority |date=July 2007}}</ref> microlight aircraft or trikes are regulated by the Civil Aviation Regulations.

===Canada===
{{Main|Ultralight aircraft (Canada)}}

===United Kingdom===
Pilots of a powered, fixed wing aircraft or paramotors do not need a licence, provided its weight with a full fuel tank is not more than {{convert|75|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}, but they must obey the rules of the air.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bmaa.org/information-library/pilot-licensing/learning-to-fly-in-sub-70-kg-aircraft|title=The British Microlight Aircraft Association, new page 3852|website=www.bmaa.org|access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref>

For heavier microlights the current UK regulations are similar to the European ones, but helicopters and gyroplanes are not included.<ref>[http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=1416&pagetype=90&pageid=8379 British Civil Aviation Authority] Aircraft Types</ref>

Other than the very earliest aircraft, all two-seat UK microlights (and until 2007 all single-seaters) have been required to meet an airworthiness standard; BCAR Section S.<ref>[https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP482_BCARS_Issue7_19Dec_2018.pdf CAP 482 British Civil Airworthiness Requirements Section S - Small Light Aeroplanes], {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226011742/https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP482_BCARS_Issue7_19Dec_2018.pdf |date=26 February 2021 }}, retrieved 8 December 2020</ref>
In 2007, Single Seat DeRegulated (SSDR), a sub-category of single seat aircraft was introduced, allowing owners more freedom for modification and experiments. By 2017 the airworthiness of all single seat microlights became solely the responsibility of the user, but pilots must hold a microlight licence;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bmaa.org/information-library/pilot-licensing/the-nppl|title=The British Microlight Aircraft Association, new page 3852|website=www.bmaa.org|access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref> currently NPPL(M) (National Private Pilots Licence).

===New Zealand===
Ultralights in New Zealand are subject to NZCAA General Aviation regulations<ref>[https://www.aviation.govt.nz/rules/ Civil Aviation Rules], Accessed 1 October 2022</ref> with microlight specific variations as described in Part 103<ref>[https://www.aviation.govt.nz/rules/rule-part/show/103 Part 103 - Microlight Aircraft - Operating Rules], Accessed 01 October 2022</ref> and AC103-1.<ref>[https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/advisory-circulars/ac103-1.pdf Advisory Circular 103], {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217041226/https://www.aviation.govt.nz/assets/rules/advisory-circulars/ac103-1.pdf |date=17 February 2022 }}, Accessed 7 October 2021</ref>

===United States===
{{Main|Ultralight aircraft (United States)}}
The United States [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]]'s definition of an ultralight is significantly different from that in most other countries and can lead to some confusion when discussing the topic. The governing regulation in the [[United States]] is [[FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles]]. In 2004, the FAA introduced the "[[Light-sport aircraft]]" category, which resembles some other countries' microlight categories. Ultralight aviation is represented by the United States Ultralight Association ([[USUA]]), which acts as the US aeroclub representative to the [[Fédération Aéronautique Internationale]].

==Types==
There are several categories of aircraft which qualify as ultralights in some countries:
* [[Fixed-wing aircraft]]: traditional [[airplane]]-style designs.
* [[Ultralight trike|Weight-shift control trike]]: use a hang glider-style wing, below which is suspended a three-wheeled carriage which carries the engine and aviators. These aircraft are controlled by pushing against a horizontal control bar in roughly the same way as a hang glider pilot flies.
* [[Powered parachute]]: fuselage-mounted engines with parafoil wings, which are wheeled aircraft.
* [[Powered paraglider]]: backpack engines with parafoil wings, which are foot-launched.
* [[Powered hang glider]]: motorized foot-launched hang glider harness.
* [[Autogyro]]: rotary wing with fuselage-mounted engine, a gyrocopter is different from a helicopter in that the rotating wing is not powered, the engine provides forward thrust and the airflow through the rotary blades causes them to [[Autorotation (helicopter)|autorotate]] or "spin up" thereby creating lift.
* [[Helicopter]]: there are a number of single-seat and two-place helicopters which fall under the microlight categories in countries such as New Zealand.  However, few helicopter designs fall within the more restrictive ultralight category defined in the United States of America.
* [[Hot air balloon]]: there are numerous ultralight hot air balloons in the US, and several more have been built and flown in France and Australia in recent years. Some ultralight hot air balloons are [[hopper balloon]]s, while others are regular hot air balloons that carry passengers in a basket.

===Electric===
Advancements in batteries, motors, and motor controllers has led to some practical production [[electric aircraft|electric propulsion systems]] for some ultralight applications. In many ways, ultralights are a good application for electric power as some models are capable of flying with low power, which allows longer duration flights on battery power.<ref name="AvWeb12Apr08">{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/news/snf/SunNFun2008_Electraflyer_TrikeMotorglider_BatteryPower_197632-1.html|title = Electraflyer Flies Trike, Motorglider On Battery Power|access-date =13 April 2008|last = Grady|first = Mary |date=April 2008}}</ref>

In 2007, the first pioneering company in this field, the [[Electric Aircraft Corporation]], began offering engine kits to convert ultralight weight shift trikes to electric power. The 18 [[horsepower|hp]] motor weighs {{convert|26|lb|abbr=on}} and an efficiency of 90% is claimed by designer Randall Fishman. The battery consists of a lithium-polymer battery pack of 5.6kWh which provides 1.5 hours of flying in the trike application. The company claimed a flight recharge cost of 60 cents in 2007.<ref name= "AvWeb12Apr08" /><ref name="Technical details">{{cite web |url= http://www.electraflyer.com/tech.html |title=ElectraFlyer Technical details |access-date=13 April 2008 | publisher = Electric Aircraft Corporation |year=2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071016052647/http://www.electraflyer.com/tech.html |archive-date=16 October 2007 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

A significant obstacle to the adoption of electric propulsion for ultralights in the U.S. is the weight of the battery, which is considered part of the empty weight of the aircraft despite efforts to have it considered as fuel.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://experimenter.epubxp.com/i/108002-february-2013/20 |title=Reddy Kilowatt Meets the Ultralight |work=Experimenter |date=February 2013 |volume=2 |number=2 |page=20 |access-date=16 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073735/http://experimenter.epubxp.com/i/108002-february-2013/20 |archivedate=2016-03-04}}</ref> As the [[specific energy]] of batteries improves, lighter batteries can be used.

==See also==
* [[Aerosport (airshow)]]
* [[Backpack helicopter]]
* [[Jetpack]]
* [[Nanolight]]
* [[Experimental Aircraft Association]]
* [[Recreational Aviation Australia]]
* [[United States Ultralight Association]]
* [[United States Powered Paragliding Association]]
* [[Volksflugzeug]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Ultralight aircraft}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ultralight aviation| ]]
[[Category:Air sports]]