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There are many single place ultralight designs currently a
market. For the novice there are several ways of choosing an ultralight, if you browse
through UltralightNews you will come on our 10 point ultralight buyers guide system,
buying used not abused, and several other articles which aid in the decision-making
process. Some of these kits are available as plans built, other kits are bolt together
aluminum tube type construction covered in dacron sailcloth, others are made from wood,
and while another type of aircraft features a welded steel fuselage with standard stits
and ceconite type covering materials.
So how does one go about rating each particular design or type of aircraft? That is
very difficult it takes a lot of experience flying different designs, you have to have
knowledge of the different types of building techniques, but probably most of all when you
rate an ultralight you have to consider what type of flying that the pilot is intending on
doing.
We will be dealing only with single place ultralights. To get on this list the design
must be at least 5 years old, have at least 50 planes up and flying, and must "come
close" to meeting the U.S. definition for an ultralight for weight.
One type is the slow wide-open bugs in your teeth type of flyer. This aircraft
will generally have a speed range of between 25 and 45 m.p.h.
The second type of aircraft is a little bit faster, is usually enclosed or semi
enclosed, and has a cruising speed between 45 and 65 mph.
The third type of aircraft is the specialty type of aircraft, in that it stands
out from the crowd because of its unique flavour.
The fourth type we will consider is the "real little aeroplane" -
something that looks like a conventional aeroplane.
The fifth type we will rate is the powered
parachute.
The following is based on over 20 years of experience in the ultralight industry,
having flown several hundred different makes and models and some 16,000 hours of flying in
both a recreational and training environment.
Category 1- Wide open slow bugs
in your teeth!.
UltralightNews selects the
Quicksilver MX Sprint
UltralightNews selects the Drifter
UltralightNews selects the Flightstar Spider
UltralightNews selects the Loehle Sport Parasol
Category 2-cross country
cruisers,
UltralightNews selects the
Kolb
Firestar
UltralightNews selects the CGS Hawk
UltralightNews selects Earthstar's Thundergull
Category 3-conventional little
"aeroplanes"
UltralightNews selects the
Hipps
Kitten
UltralightNews selects the Fisher Koala
UltralightNews selects the Preceptor Pup
UltralightNews selects the Carlson Sparrow
Category 4 Specialty category -
WW 1 Replica's
UltralightNews selects Airdrome Aeroplanes
Fokker E-III Eindecker
UltralightNews selects
Loehle Aircraft SE 5A
Category 5 Specialty category - Biplane
category
UltralightNews selects the Fisher FP404
Category 6 Specialty category -
Amphibian
UltralightNews selects the Aventura
Category 7 Specialty category -
Powered parachute
UltralightNews selects the
Buckeye Powered Parachute
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