Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Light Aircraft shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Light Aircraft offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Light Aircraft at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Light Aircraft? Wrong! If the Light Aircraft is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Light Aircraft then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Light Aircraft? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Light Aircraft and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Light Aircraft wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Light Aircraft then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Light Aircraft site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Light Aircraft, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Light Aircraft, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
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 Aircraft, Beechcraft and
Cirrus Design 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.
Background
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, many people around the world sought to be able to fly affordably. As a result, many
:Category: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.
Definitions
Australia
Canada
Transport Canada has defined two categories of light aircraft;
basic ultra-light aeroplane (BULA) and
advanced ultra-light aeroplane (AULA).
Basic ultra-light
Advanced ultra-light
New Zealand
United Kingdom
Microlight
Very Light Aircraft
United States
The
Federal Aviation Administration has defined two categories of light aircraft;
ultralights and
light-sport aircraft.
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.
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 pound (mass); with some exceptions for
seaplanes), a maximum airspeed in level flight of 120
knot (speed) (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 licensing and certification as with other certificated aircraft.
See also
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 Aircraft, Beechcraft and
Cirrus Design 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.
Background
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, many people around the world sought to be able to fly affordably. As a result, many
:Category: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.
Definitions
Australia
Canada
Transport Canada has defined two categories of light aircraft;
basic ultra-light aeroplane (BULA) and
advanced ultra-light aeroplane (AULA).
Basic ultra-light
Advanced ultra-light
New Zealand
United Kingdom
Microlight
Very Light Aircraft
United States
The Federal Aviation Administration has defined two categories of light aircraft;
ultralights and
light-sport aircraft.
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.
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
pound (mass); with some exceptions for
seaplanes), a maximum airspeed in level flight of 120
knot (speed) (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 licensing and certification as with other certificated aircraft.
See also
