Light aircraft
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Light aircraft is a generic category of aircraft that comprises many official designations in many countries.
However, this article concentrates on those aircraft so light that they are covered by special regulations. These rules are sub-ICAO and are therefore country specific. These rules have various upper weight limits: In the UK the microlight limit is 450 kg. The US Light-sport Aircraft limit is 1,320 lb (600 kg).
The term light aircraft has always meant more than those very light aircraft. The various small aircraft which are:
- type certified under ICAO rules
- have one or two engines
- seat up to eight (or, in some jurisdictions, more)
- weigh several thousand kilograms (typical upper limit well in excess of 5000kg)
are also "light aircraft".
Note that many of the small aircraft used commercially for freight, sightseeing, photography and even scheduled flights are also called "light aircraft".
Examples of "light aircraft" include most of the aircraft commonly seen at small airports: the entire range of Cessna propeller driven aircraft from the Cessna 152 up to and including the Cessna Caravan are light aircraft. All Piper, Beechcraft and Cirrus airplanes, similarly. The GA8 Airvan, the Aviat Husky, the Robin DR400: All are light aircraft.
These conventional light aircraft, properly type certified under ICAO regulations, are not considered further in this article.
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[edit] Background
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, many people around the world sought to be able to fly affordably. As a result, many aviation authorities decided to declare artificial definitions of lightweight, slow-flying aeroplanes that could be subject to "light touch" regulation. The definitions used are most commonly called ultralight or microlight, although the actual weight and speed limits are rarely the same between any two countries.
The safety regulations used to approve light aircraft vary between countries, the most strict being the United Kingdom and Germany, while they are almost non-existent in France and the United States. The disparity between regulations is a major barrier to international trade and overflight, as is the fact that these regulations are invariably sub-ICAO, which means that they are not internationally recognised.
In most affluent countries, microlights or ultralights now account for about 20% of the civil aircraft fleet.
[edit] Definitions
[edit] Australia
[edit] Canada
Transport Canada has defined two categories of light aircraft; basic ultra-light aeroplane (BULA) and advanced ultra-light aeroplane (AULA).
[edit] Basic ultra-light
[edit] Advanced ultra-light
[edit] New Zealand
[edit] United Kingdom
[edit] Microlight
[edit] Very Light Aircraft
[edit] United States
The Federal Aviation Administration has defined two categories of light aircraft; ultralights and light-sport aircraft.
[edit] Ultralight
Regulation of ultralight aircraft in the United States is covered by the Code of Federal Regulations Title 14 (Federal Aviation Regulations) Part 103 or 14 CFR Part 103, which specifies an "ultralight" as a single seat vehicle with an empty weight of less than 254 pounds (115 kg) capable of a top speed of 55 knots (102 km/h), a maximum stall speed not exceeding 24 knots (45 km/h), a fuel capacity of less than 5 US gallons (19 L), and are only allowed to fly during daylight hours and over unpopulated areas. Weight allowances can be made for two-seat trainers, amphibious landing gear, and ballistic parachute systems.
In the United States no license or training is required by law for ultralights, but training is highly advisable.
[edit] Light Sport Aircraft
The Federal Aviation Administration defines a Light-sport Aircraft as an aircraft with a maximum gross takeoff weight of less than 600 kilograms (1320 pounds; with some exceptions for seaplanes), a maximum airspeed in level flight of 120 knots (222 km/h), either one or two seats, a fixed-pitch or ground adjustable propeller, and a single reciprocating engine, which includes diesel engines and Wankel engines. These aircraft require only a sport pilot certificate, not a private or recreational pilot certificate as with other certificated aircraft.
