4 ms·

The Mirocopter SCH-2A meets the FAA requirements so it doesn't require a pilots license. You can buy it for $35k on Ebay [0]. It's cheaper than most cars and ga

by b8 3y ago

The Mirocopter SCH-2A meets the FAA requirements so it doesn't require a pilots license. You can buy it for $35k on Ebay [0]. It's cheaper than most cars and gas wise (5 gallons for 50min for flight time) would make it about the same cost as commuting to work in a car. 0. https://www.ebay.com/itm/354879150317 https://www.ebay.com/itm/354879150317

rlpb 3y ago
The article doesn't really cover it but being able to fly without a license probably isn't the same as flying near a controlled (ie. towered) airport. If want to commute and aren't in the middle of nowhere you might find that flying in your local airspace does require a radio license in practice at least. Source: I am a licensed pilot but not familiar with flying in the US.
- CobaltFire 3y ago
  You are correct. Knowing the airspace is required under Part 103, and operating an aircraft under those rules puts you under the legal requirements of Part 103. If you want to know more the entire document is only a couple pages: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-103 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F...
  - rlpb 3y ago
    I was wondering how access to class D airspace would work for an unlicensed ultralight pilot. Can they get a radio? Would they need a [radio] license both for themselves and for the aircraft? Is that practical to acquire without a PPL? Or, without a radio, would ATC approval for a flight be available over the phone before departure instead or would that be out of the question? For a regular pilot this is all just automatic with flight following of course.
    - sokoloff 3y ago
      § 103.17 Operations in certain airspace. No person may operate an ultralight vehicle within Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from the ATC facility having jurisdiction over that airspace. What does that mean in practice? I suspect my local airport (a moderately busy class D field) would not authorize a NORDO (no radio) ultralight. There is no longer a requirement for an FCC license for an aviation band radio. (That was previously required and possible to get as an individual without a PPL.) I suspect most class D fields would authorize the transition of a radio-equipped ultralight.
- b8 3y ago
  Huh, TIL. I've seen paragliders fly without headsets though near me (30mins from my states capital). Earning a radio license and getting a comms setup seems trivial though.
  - sokoloff 3y ago
    The radius of the surface area of a class B airspace (for the busiest airports) might only be about 6 miles. http://vfrmap.com/?type=vfrc&lat=42.363&lon=-71.006&zoom=10&api_key=763xxE1MJHyhr48DlAP2qQ http://vfrmap.com/?type=vfrc&lat=42.363&lon=-71.006&zoom=10&... Look for the blue SFC (surface) with a line over it designation around the area for the airport with the multiple concentric blue rings. Those will be class B airports. Typically two rings and magenta will be class C. Class D will be dashed blue.
- AdrianB1 3y ago
  You can bet that people that fly these planes without a license also don't spend the time and money to get a radio license; that automatically prevents from flying to or from a towered airport. These ultra-light planes are practically big toys that you can fly over some empty field and relatively low altitudes. Powered parachutes also fall in this category.
  - pests 3y ago
    I watch a creator on YT who regularly takes his paramotor (a powered parachute) across town and on longer trips. He also takes it up to at least 15k feet. That seems vastly more than empty fields and low altitudes.
    - AdrianB1 3y ago
      15k feet is not G class airspace (uncontrolled) in most of the world, that means you need radio contact with FIR, radio license, training etc. This is not your regular ultralight.
      - pests 3y ago
        Ultralight? A paramotor is just a backpack motor and a parachute. Is it even in the same category as an ultralight? He does not have a radio on him but he does it somehow. I believe he has some kind of flying license however.
        AdrianB1 3y ago
        A paramotor is an ultralight in Europe and requires license, I completed the flying school for that category (fast-tracked as I already have a license for airplanes), but I never moved to take the exam, still I am aware of the regulations. In US there is no license required, but that also restricts where you can fly. If you get some licenses it does expand where you can fly, but I am not knowledgeabe on the details there.
      - mbrameld 3y ago
Sardtok 3y ago
I don't think commuting by helicopter counts as recreational flying, though.
hackernewds 3y ago
not every one is versed in these esoteric rules, so practically still prepare to be nagged and arrested while flying these.

by b8 3y ago

rlpb 3y ago

The article doesn't really cover it but being able to fly without a license probably isn't the same as flying near a controlled (ie. towered) airport. If want to commute and aren't in the middle of nowhere you might find that flying in your local airspace does require a radio license in practice at least. Source: I am a licensed pilot but not familiar with flying in the US.

CobaltFire 3y ago
You are correct. Knowing the airspace is required under Part 103, and operating an aircraft under those rules puts you under the legal requirements of Part 103. If you want to know more the entire document is only a couple pages: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-103 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F...
- rlpb 3y ago
  I was wondering how access to class D airspace would work for an unlicensed ultralight pilot. Can they get a radio? Would they need a [radio] license both for themselves and for the aircraft? Is that practical to acquire without a PPL? Or, without a radio, would ATC approval for a flight be available over the phone before departure instead or would that be out of the question? For a regular pilot this is all just automatic with flight following of course.
  - sokoloff 3y ago
    § 103.17 Operations in certain airspace. No person may operate an ultralight vehicle within Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from the ATC facility having jurisdiction over that airspace. What does that mean in practice? I suspect my local airport (a moderately busy class D field) would not authorize a NORDO (no radio) ultralight. There is no longer a requirement for an FCC license for an aviation band radio. (That was previously required and possible to get as an individual without a PPL.) I suspect most class D fields would authorize the transition of a radio-equipped ultralight.
b8 3y ago
Huh, TIL. I've seen paragliders fly without headsets though near me (30mins from my states capital). Earning a radio license and getting a comms setup seems trivial though.
- sokoloff 3y ago
  The radius of the surface area of a class B airspace (for the busiest airports) might only be about 6 miles. http://vfrmap.com/?type=vfrc&lat=42.363&lon=-71.006&zoom=10&api_key=763xxE1MJHyhr48DlAP2qQ http://vfrmap.com/?type=vfrc&lat=42.363&lon=-71.006&zoom=10&... Look for the blue SFC (surface) with a line over it designation around the area for the airport with the multiple concentric blue rings. Those will be class B airports. Typically two rings and magenta will be class C. Class D will be dashed blue.
AdrianB1 3y ago
You can bet that people that fly these planes without a license also don't spend the time and money to get a radio license; that automatically prevents from flying to or from a towered airport. These ultra-light planes are practically big toys that you can fly over some empty field and relatively low altitudes. Powered parachutes also fall in this category.
- pests 3y ago
  I watch a creator on YT who regularly takes his paramotor (a powered parachute) across town and on longer trips. He also takes it up to at least 15k feet. That seems vastly more than empty fields and low altitudes.
  - AdrianB1 3y ago
    15k feet is not G class airspace (uncontrolled) in most of the world, that means you need radio contact with FIR, radio license, training etc. This is not your regular ultralight.
    - pests 3y ago
      Ultralight? A paramotor is just a backpack motor and a parachute. Is it even in the same category as an ultralight? He does not have a radio on him but he does it somehow. I believe he has some kind of flying license however.
      - AdrianB1 3y ago
        A paramotor is an ultralight in Europe and requires license, I completed the flying school for that category (fast-tracked as I already have a license for airplanes), but I never moved to take the exam, still I am aware of the regulations. In US there is no license required, but that also restricts where you can fly. If you get some licenses it does expand where you can fly, but I am not knowledgeabe on the details there.
    - mbrameld 3y ago

Sardtok 3y ago

I don't think commuting by helicopter counts as recreational flying, though.

hackernewds 3y ago

not every one is versed in these esoteric rules, so practically still prepare to be nagged and arrested while flying these.