Flying or fun or sport is wonderful entertainment and a great way to visit other places. There are two ways that you can become a pilot and fly for fun. The first one is flying ultralights, or ultralight aircraft. The other one is flying light sport aircraft or LSA.

The differences between an ultralight aircraft and a light sport aircraft (LSA) are subtle but they are clearly defined by the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). In summary, an ultralight is an aircraft that weighs no more than 254 pounds, can carry only one person, and can hold no more than 5 gallons of fuel. An LSA is one that can carry no more than 2 people, and whose weight, including the occupants, can not exceed 1350 pounds. To fly an ultralight you do not need a license, but to fly an LSA you must have a Sport Pilot certificate.

Are there any 2 seater ultralights?

No. By definition, an ultralight is an aircraft that can carry only one occupant. If it has two seats it is not an ultralight, and is then classified as a light sport aircraft or a bigger class.

What about all those hang glider looking contraptions that I see flying around? Aren’t they ultralights?

Yes and No. Those hang glider looking aircraft are called trikes. The name comes from the undercarriage where the occupants sit. It has three wheels, hence the name. Trikes can be ultralights or LSAs, depending on their configuration. If a trike weighs less than 254 pounds and can carry only one occupant, then it is likely to be considered an ultralight. If a trike has two seats, it is not an ultralight. It would be considered an LSA.

Yes. Ultralights and LSAs come in different types. Fixed Wing, Trikes, Powered Parachutes, and Gyrocopters, and others.

Gyrocopters look much like helicopters, only the rotor is not powered. Instead a gyrocopter's powerplant works like a regular fixed wing, trike, or powered parachute. The engine, with a propeller, pushes the aircraft forward. It is the forward movement of the aircraft that causes the rotor (the big propeller on top) to spin and create lift.

Over the years gaining experience, and now with the FAA regulating the manufacture of these types of aircraft, they have become extremely safe, just like regular planes. However, just like with any other activity, flying an aircraft is as safe as the pilot makes it. A well trained pilot, one who performs the proper inspections before every flight, one who knows the weather, and one who cares for his or her aircraft properly will be a much safer pilot.

With the proper care and maintenance, and the proper preflight inspections, there is very little that can go wrong. However, in the very unlikely event that something does go wrong, there is always a safe alternative. All these planes are designed to glide, so in the event of an engine failure all the pilot has to do is decide where to land the plane. With the light weight, and short landing field requirements, an LSA or ultralight can be landed almost anywhere. In the extremely unlikely event of a structural failure, when the plane can not be flown to a safe landing, a BRS is the solution. BRS stands for Ballistic Recovery System. What it is, is a parachute that is deployed with a rocket. Most LSA and ultralights are equipped with a BRS, that when deployed, will bring both plane and occupants safely down to the ground.

The FAA has issued official training requirements for different pilot categories. As an ultralight pilot, the FAA requires no specific training. As a sport pilot, the FAA requires a minimum of 20 hours of flight instruction and 15 hours of ground school. Private and commercial pilots require much much more training.

You can enjoy a flight with an Introductory Flight Lesson. During this lesson you will be able to learn as much as you want, or to simply take the back seat and enjoy.

Flight instruction consists of actual flight training. During this training your instructor flies in the plane with you and instructs you on flying the plane. He or she will teach you how to fly straight, how to turn, how to take off and land. You will also be instructed in many other types of maneuvers and emergency procedures.

Ground school consists of learning all the other stuff that you can’t learn while flying the plane. In ground school you will learn about aerodynamics, flight control mechanisms, flight instruments, weather and meteorology, map reading, flight rules, and flight planning. This is normally accomplished by studying from a book and by classroom sessions.

Sport Aviation Center offers instruction in Trikes. We will teach you how to safely and efficiently fly a trike. We offer flight instruction as well as ground school. If you decide to go the Ultralight route, we will train you to safely fly a trike and will issue your ultralight pilot certification when you demonstrate proficiency in your flying. If you decide to go the Sport Pilot route, besides training you to safely and efficiently fly a trike, we will prepare you with all you need to pass the FAA written exam, and your check ride (flight test).

Sport Aviation Center offers two types of instruction:

Normal Instruction Plan
In a normal instructional plan it is usual for students to take 1 or two 1 hour flight lessons per week while attending a ground school session one evening per week. This plan spreads the learning along 15-20 weeks and allows for a student to progress at his/her own pace. 

Accelerated Instruction Plan
The accelerated plan is preferred by out-of-town students who have to leave their home for training. In this plan the student receives up to three hours of flight instruction, and up to three hours of ground school per day. This allows the student to complete the training package in approximately 7 to 10 days.

Before committing to a training plan, most students take an “introductory flight lesson”. After the instructor explains the use of the controls and takes the plane off the ground, the student has the opportunity to fly the plane him/herself, experiencing what it really is to have control of the aircraft. The instructor then takes over and after safely landing the plane debriefs with the student.

The tuition costs are outlined in the Sport Aviation Center’s flight instruction brochure or in our prices page..