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US definition of Ultralight requires that engine-off stall speed be at most 45km/h, and max speed at most 102km/h at full power in level flight. flynano's "lan

by raquo 16y ago

US definition of Ultralight requires that engine-off stall speed be at most 45km/h, and max speed at most 102km/h at full power in level flight. flynano's "landing speed" is 70km/h, and "cruising speed" is ~140km/h, so it's not going to happen as an ultralight in US. It will probably be classified as an LSA (light-sport aircraft), which makes more sense, but requires a pilot's license.

crikli 16y ago
It _should_ requires a license if the stall speed is that high; my Cessna stalls at around 77 km/h, seven more than this thing and it was very challenging at first, especially in gusting crosswinds. I also wonder what the stall characteristics of that wing would be...I'm no aeronautical engineer but I'd be willing to be that the bottom falls out. To their credit, the site mentions this: "If you’ve ever had a pilot’s licence you’ll fly Nano right out of the box. The rest of you will need to learn the simple rules of the air. Minimum red tape – maximum thrills." Implies a sport license to me (half the required instruction time of a regular private license and simper medical rules). Edit: another issue/question...the Flynano only takes off from water so wouldn't that require a single-engine sea rating? IIRC that can't be had without a private pilot's license, unless you can do sport pilot primary training from the water (which I can't find an authoritative "no" on but I don't think the FAA allows that).
Retric 16y ago
I don't understand all the hate around getting a pilot's license. Flight is dangerous and even with a fair amount of regulation and training plenty of people still mess up and die. There are many situations where the natural reaction of even a seasoned pilot will get you killed. EX: Letting go of the stick can be the correct thing to do, try thinking of that while spinning wildly and falling rapidly. The LSA pilot's license is fairly easy to get. It takes 20 hours of instruction and some solo flights which you can for around around 2-3k. And a written test which seems reasonable before you fly something at 120km/h.
- raquo 16y ago
  Absolutely no hate here. I myself wouldn't fly that thing without some considerable preparation. I just mentioned it because the aircraft was designed to fit into Europe's restrictions for the lightest aircraft category there, but it doesn't fit into US definition of ultralight, and the Engadget article linked in another comment says it does.
deleted 16y ago
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by raquo 16y ago

crikli 16y ago

It _should_ requires a license if the stall speed is that high; my Cessna stalls at around 77 km/h, seven more than this thing and it was very challenging at first, especially in gusting crosswinds. I also wonder what the stall characteristics of that wing would be...I'm no aeronautical engineer but I'd be willing to be that the bottom falls out. To their credit, the site mentions this: "If you’ve ever had a pilot’s licence you’ll fly Nano right out of the box. The rest of you will need to learn the simple rules of the air. Minimum red tape – maximum thrills." Implies a sport license to me (half the required instruction time of a regular private license and simper medical rules). Edit: another issue/question...the Flynano only takes off from water so wouldn't that require a single-engine sea rating? IIRC that can't be had without a private pilot's license, unless you can do sport pilot primary training from the water (which I can't find an authoritative "no" on but I don't think the FAA allows that).

Retric 16y ago

I don't understand all the hate around getting a pilot's license. Flight is dangerous and even with a fair amount of regulation and training plenty of people still mess up and die. There are many situations where the natural reaction of even a seasoned pilot will get you killed. EX: Letting go of the stick can be the correct thing to do, try thinking of that while spinning wildly and falling rapidly. The LSA pilot's license is fairly easy to get. It takes 20 hours of instruction and some solo flights which you can for around around 2-3k. And a written test which seems reasonable before you fly something at 120km/h.

raquo 16y ago
Absolutely no hate here. I myself wouldn't fly that thing without some considerable preparation. I just mentioned it because the aircraft was designed to fit into Europe's restrictions for the lightest aircraft category there, but it doesn't fit into US definition of ultralight, and the Engadget article linked in another comment says it does.

deleted 16y ago

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