The Lighter Side Of Life Thumbing Its Nose At Empire FAA; We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Certifications

Aero-Commentary By Gene Yarbrough

The chickens are coming home to roost if the numbers of vendors and consumers visiting the ultralight area of AirVenture this week is any indication. This year there is much more activity in the ultralight area than in the past, more so than any other year I have attended AirVenture. There are two full rows of vendors and exhibitors with throngs of people gathered round. So many so that some ultralight vehicles would have to park outside of the ultralight area. This is encouraging to say the least.

Apparently the inevitable paradigm shift created by still mandating a useless and unnecessary third class medical is coming to fruition. Ultralights are still the most affordable, least regulated sector of American aviation and perhaps the masses are rediscovering this homegrown super-fun part of the flying landscape. There is an ultralight to suit about every person and about every budget, and not requiring a medical, or training, or expensive maintenance services creates an atmosphere of innovation and affordability along with operating and owning expenses on the order of a pleasure boat or motorcycle.

This side of flying has often been maligned by the “real airplane” group. Ultralights have been poo-poo’d as dangerous and their pilots as crazy, or worse. The truth of the matter is ultralights are really what personal aviation is all about – fun. Starting around $5000 a person can get into a nice little ultralight that will provide a tremendous amount of flying fun for just a few dollars per hour. No other type of airplane gives the same bang for the buck.

Ultralights are leaders in technology and simple innovation. Ultralights come in every flavor and color, you can get a four stroke powered ultralight, a 2 stroke screamer, or even an electric powered bird. This is where all the “you can’t do that” ideas are done. The ultralight field has been described as “the land of misfit toys” and perhaps it is. But I would argue that uniqueness and ambition are good things, and are missing in the “real airplane” world because Empire FAA has regulated away innovation in the name of safety.

Come over to the dark side and have some fun that doesn’t break the bank for a change.

Give me ultralights or give me death. We don’t need no stinkin' Certifications.

FMI: Contact Gene (fltofancy@gmail.com)