FAA Part 103 (Ultralights) May be in for Changes - RC Groups
Summary
For the purposes of this part, an ultralight vehicle is a vehicle that: (a) Is used or intended to be used for manned operation in the air by a single occupant; (b) Is used or intended to be used for recreation or sport purposes only; (c) Does not have any U.S. or foreign airworthiness certificate; and (d) If unpowered, weighs less than 155 pounds; or (e) If powered: (1) Weighs less than 254 pounds empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices which are intended for deployment in a potentially catastrophic situation; (2) Has a fuel capacity not exceeding 5 U.S. gallons; (3) Is not capable of more than 55 knots calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight; and (4) Has a power-off stall speed which does not exceed 24 knots calibrated airspeed. Thats the 10 cent tour, heres more if you like : https://www.eaa.org/eaa/aviation-int...or-ultralights I see changes on the way for FAA Part 103, Ultralight Flight Rules. Just as with RC, those flight rules will change with the appearance of manned drone type semi-autonomous aircraft who almost anyone can fly with the push of a button. 21631, 47 FR 38776, Sept. 2, 1982, unless otherwise noted.Subpart A—General§ 103.1 Applicability.This part prescribes rules governing the operation of ultralight vehicles in the United States. For the purposes of this part, an ultralight vehicle is a vehicle that:(a) Is used or intended to be used for manned operation in the air by a single occupant;(b) Is used or intended to be used for recreation or sport purposes only;(c) Does not have any U.S. or foreign airworthiness certificate; and(d) If unpowered, weighs less than 155 pounds; or(e) If powered:(1) Weighs less than 254 pounds empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices which are intended for deployment in a potentially catastrophic situation;(2) Has a fuel capacity not exceeding 5 U.S. gallons;(3) Is not capable of more than 55 knots calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight; and(4) Has a power-off stall speed which does not exceed 24 knots calibrated airspeed.Thats the 10 cent tour, heres more if you like :