Ultralight aircraft (Canada)

The basic ultralight Ultraflight Lazair is the most produced Canadian-designed aircraft of any category.
Blue Yonder Merlin EZ Canadian-designed and built advanced ultralight airplane
A common advanced ultralight seen in Canada: Quad City Challenger II
Jabiru Calypso 3300 advanced ultralight aircraft on amphibious floats at the Canadian Aviation Expo
Fly camping at a remote aerodrome with a Canadian registered DFE Ascender III-C.
The Canadian designed and built Birdman Chinook 2S, designed by Wladimir Talanczuk in 1981/82.
Murphy Renegade Spirit ultra light biplane.

The Canadian Aviation Regulations define two types of ultralight aircraft: basic ultra-light aeroplane (BULA), and advanced ultra-light aeroplane (AULA).

Canadian definition of ultra-light

Regulation of ultra-light aircraft in Canada is covered by the Canadian Aviation Regulations. An earlier definition[1] of "ultra-light aeroplane", effective October 10, 1996, meant

On June 1, 2003, the definition was amended to state that an "ultra-light aeroplane" means either an advanced ultra-light aeroplane or a basic ultra-light aeroplane.[2]

Basic ultra-light aeroplane

On July 6, 1956 the Department of Transport first issued new requirements for ultralight aircraft, a category that was eventually renamed "Amateur-built aircraft", leaving Canada without an ultralight category. The basic ultralight category was established as a new category in 1982 to fill this gap.[3] Regulation of ultralight aircraft in Canada is covered by the Canadian Aviation Regulations, which defines a "basic ultra-light aeroplane" as:

an aeroplane having no more than two seats, designed and manufactured to have:

Advanced ultra-light aeroplane

According to Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part I, Subpart 1, an "advanced ultra-light aeroplane" means an aeroplane that has a type design that is in compliance with the standards specified in the manual entitled Design Standards for Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplanes (DS10141).[2][4]

An advanced ultra-light aeroplane is an aeroplane which:

The advanced ultra-light aeroplane (AULA) category is similar, but not identical, to the American light sport aircraft (LSA) category. Many aircraft are available as AULAs in Canada and LSAs in the United States.

Minimum useful load

Advanced ultra-light aeroplanes shall have a minimum useful load, MU or WU computed as follows:

MU = 80 + 0.3P, in kg; where P is the rated engine(s) power in kilowatts;
MU = 175 + 0.5P, in lb; where P is the rated engine(s) power in brake horsepower (bhp).
MU = 160 + 0.3P, in kg; where P is the rated engine(s) power in kW;
MU = 350 + 0.5P, in lb; where P is the rated engine(s) power in bhp).[5]

Maximum empty mass (weight)

The maximum empty mass, MEmax, (WEmax) includes all operational equipment that is actually installed in the aeroplane. It includes the mass (weight) of the airframe, powerplant, required equipment, optional and specific equipment, fixed ballast, full engine coolant, hydraulic fluid, and the residual fuel and oil. Hence, the maximum empty mass (weight) = maximum take-off mass (weight) - minimum useful load.[5]

The registration marks for an advanced ultra-light aeroplane after 1997 begin with "C-Ixxx". Prior to that date they were C-Fxxx or C-Gxxx.[5]

Operations

An ultra-light pilot permit, recreational pilot permit, private, commercial or airline transport aeroplane licence issued by Transport Canada, is required in order for a person to operate an ultra-light aeroplane in Canada.[6] Pilots holding a Recreational or higher license may carry a passenger in a two-seat advanced ultra-light aeroplane. Pilots with only an ultra-light permit may not carry a passenger in an advanced ultralight unless they have received a passenger carrying endorsement. Basic ultralights cannot carry passengers unless the passenger is another pilot. Student pilots undergoing training may be carried in basic ultralights.

Canadian Basic and Advanced Ultralights may be flown in the USA if the pilot holds a Recreational Pilot Permit or higher designation. Pilots holding an Ultralight Pilot Permit with instructor rating and who have at least 2 hours of cross country experience may also fly to the US.[7]

Any Canadian Ultralight flying to the US also requires a Special Flight Operations Certificate from the FAA. This is a form the pilot completes which is then valid for 180 days.[8]

Nomenclature

Officially this category of aircraft are known in Canada as Ultra-light Aeroplanes although in common use the American term Ultralight Airplanes is often used.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Transport Canada (October 10, 1996). "Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part I - General Provisions, Subpart 1 - Interpretation". Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Transport Canada (June 30, 2007). "Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part I - General Provisions, Subpart 1 - Interpretation". Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  3. ↑ Sport Aviation. Feb 1958. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ↑ DESIGN STANDARDS FOR ADVANCED ULTRA-LIGHT AEROPLANES DS 10141E
  5. 1 2 3 Transport Canada (April 17, 2007). "Ultra-light Aeroplane Transition Strategy". Retrieved 2007-11-04.
  6. ↑ Transport Canada (December 14, 2006). "Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part IV - Personnel Licensing and Training, Subpart 1 - Flight Crew Permits, Licences and Ratings". Retrieved 2007-11-08.
  7. ↑ Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (July 2014). "COPA Guide to Ultralights 13th Edition" (PDF). Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  8. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration. "FAA Special Flight Operations Certificate". Retrieved 2015-04-13.
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