Flying an Ultralight
Ultralight flying is arguably the most growing segment of aviation in Europe. This is so because of the low cost as compared to other types of aircraft.
In fact, basic ultralights such as the gliders, ultralights such as the gliders, ultralights such as the gliders, powered parachutes and trikes are quickly growing due to the popularity of aerial recreational activities as well as for sports.
Learning to fly is one of the most exciting things to do and therefore gaining good training is the key to your success as well as your safety.
With advancement in technology, another class of aircraft has emerged in the recent few years; these types of aircraft are commonly referred to as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or drones.
Some operations of drones might replace the use of ultralights, for instance, drone videos and ultralights, for instance, drone videos and ultralights, for instance, drone videos and drone photography are more popular with drones rather than with ultra-lights. In Europe, ultra-light aircraft are suitable for recreation as well as private flying.ultra-lights. In Europe, ultra-light aircraft are suitable for recreation as well as private flying.ultra-lights. In Europe, ultra-light aircraft are suitable for recreation as well as private flying.
Before flying any type of ultra-light aircraft, there are basic things you need to keep in mind to ensure both your safety and success in the industry. Some of these things that you need to consider before flying are as follows:
Have a license
Flying ultralights are both exciting and exhilarating when done safely, therefore, it calls for an acquisition of a pilot license.ultralights are both exciting and exhilarating when done safely, therefore, it calls for an acquisition of a pilot license.
No matter what the law dictates, you should understand that before acquiring any kind of license, be it a drone pilot license or whichever pilot license you want, the most fundamental rule is to be trained.
This is true for new pilots but applies too to trained pilots if they are transitioning to ultralights.pilots but applies too to trained pilots if they are transitioning to ultralights.pilots but applies too to trained pilots if they are transitioning to ultralights.
Follow your checklist strictly
Once your private pilot license (PPL) requirements are met, always remember to follow the aircraft’s checklist before getting airborne.
This is to ensure the technical airworthy of the plane, in fact, forgetting to follow a single step in your checklist can be a costly mistake. Even experienced pilots who have been flying for long still follow their checklists strictly.airworthy of the plane, in fact, forgetting to follow a single step in your checklist can be a costly mistake. Even experienced pilots who have been flying for long still follow their checklists strictly.airworthy of the plane, in fact, forgetting to follow a single step in your checklist can be a costly mistake. Even experienced pilots who have been flying for long still follow their checklists strictly.
Observe weather conditions
Before flying your ultralight aircraft, you have to ascertain that you have good weather conditions suitable for flying. Remember, the performance of an aircraft depends on a lot on magnitudes of environmental factors such as the atmospheric density, storms and much more.
In fact, most fatal aviation accidents are usually attributed to the weather conditions at the time of flight.
Familiarize yourself with the aircraft
If you are renting a new aircraft, it is always a good practice to ensure you familiarize with the aircraft’s instruments and all its other systems before flying.
Ensure you are familiar with its controls because operating an aircraft without a good understanding of its operation may be a recipe for disaster.
Observe rules and regulations
The aviation industry is governed by laws and regulations for pilot and aircraft operations. It is, therefore, the sole responsibility of the pilot to ensure he observes them.laws and regulations for pilot and aircraft operations. It is, therefore, the sole responsibility of the pilot to ensure he observes them.laws and regulations for pilot and aircraft operations. It is, therefore, the sole responsibility of the pilot to ensure he observes them.
In Europe, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is the body mandated to regulate the rules and regulations concerning safety in the aviation industry.
Each member state of the European Union is expected to adopt these rules but some are implemented by each individual member states.rules but some are implemented by each individual member states.rules but some are implemented by each individual member states.