
The
Canadian Aviation Regulations
The Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) are the rules that govern civil aviation in Canada.
Establishment
The CARs became law on October 10, 1996, replacing the former Air Regulations and Air Navigation Orders. The authority for the establishm ...
define two types of
ultralight aircraft
Ultralight aviation (called microlight aviation in some countries) is the flying of lightweight, 1- or 2-seat fixed-wing aircraft. Some countries differentiate between weight-shift control and Aircraft flight control system, conventional three-a ...
: basic ultra-light aeroplane (BULA), and advanced ultra-light aeroplane (AULA).
Definition
Regulation of ultra-light aircraft in Canada is covered by the
Canadian Aviation Regulations
The Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) are the rules that govern civil aviation in Canada.
Establishment
The CARs became law on October 10, 1996, replacing the former Air Regulations and Air Navigation Orders. The authority for the establishm ...
. An earlier definition of "ultra-light aeroplane", effective October 10, 1996, meant:
* a single-seat aeroplane that has a launch weight of 165
kg (364
pounds) or less, and a wing area, expressed in square metres, of not less than the launch weight in kilograms minus 15, divided by 10, and in no case less than ,
* a two-seat instructional aeroplane that has a launch weight of 195 kg (430 pounds) or less, and a wing area, expressed in square metres, of not less than 10 m
2 and a
wing loading
In aerodynamics, wing loading is the total weight of an aircraft or flying animal divided by the area of its wing. The stalling speed, takeoff speed and landing speed of an aircraft are partly determined by its wing loading.
The faster an airc ...
of not more than 25 kg/m
2 (5.12 lb/ft
2), the wing loading being calculated using the launch weight plus the occupant weight of 80 kg (176 pounds) per person, or
* an advanced ultra-light aeroplane;
On June 1, 2003, the definition was amended to state that an "ultra-light aeroplane" means either an advanced ultra-light aeroplane or a basic ultra-light aeroplane.
Basic
On July 6, 1956 the Department of Transport first issued new requirements for ultralight aircraft, a category that was eventually renamed "Amateur-built aircraft", leaving Canada without an ultralight category. The basic ultralight category was established as a new category in 1982 to fill this gap. Regulation of ultralight aircraft in Canada is covered by the
Canadian Aviation Regulations
The Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) are the rules that govern civil aviation in Canada.
Establishment
The CARs became law on October 10, 1996, replacing the former Air Regulations and Air Navigation Orders. The authority for the establishm ...
, which defines a "basic ultra-light aeroplane" as:
an aeroplane having no more than two seats, designed and manufactured to have:
* a
maximum take-off weight
The maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) or maximum gross takeoff weight (MGTOW) or maximum takeoff mass (MTOM) of an aircraft
An aircraft ( aircraft) is a vehicle that is able to flight, fly by gaining support from the Atmosphere of Earth, air. I ...
not exceeding 544 kg (1,200 pounds), and
* a
stall speed
In fluid dynamics, a stall is a reduction in the lift coefficient generated by a foil as angle of attack exceeds its critical value.Crane, Dale: ''Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition'', p. 486. Aviation Supplies & Academics, 1997. ...
in the landing configuration (
''V''S0) of 39
knots
A knot is a fastening in rope or interwoven lines.
Knot or knots may also refer to:
Other common meanings
* Knot (unit), of speed
* Knot (wood), a timber imperfection
Arts, entertainment, and media Films
* ''Knots'' (film), a 2004 film
* ''Kn ...
(45 mph) indicated airspeed, or less, at the maximum take-off weight;
Advanced
According to Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part I, Subpart 1, an "advanced ultra-light aeroplane" means an aeroplane that has a type design that is in compliance with the standards specified in the manual entitled ''Design Standards for Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplanes'' (DS10141).
An advanced ultra-light aeroplane is an aeroplane which:
* Is propeller driven;
* Is designed to carry a maximum of two persons, including the pilot;
* Has a maximum take-off mass, ''M''
TOmax or ''W''
TOmax, of:
*# 350 kg (770 lb) for a single place aeroplane, or
*# 560.0 kg (1232 lb) for a two place aeroplane;
* A maximum stalling speed in the landing configuration, ''V''
S0, at manufacturer's recommended maximum take-off mass (weight) not exceeding 72 km/h (20 m/s, 45 mph) (IAS); and
* Is limited to non-aerobatic operations. Non-aerobatic operations include:
*# manoeuvres incident to normal flying
*#
stalls and
spins
The spins (as in having "the spins") is an adverse reaction of Substance intoxication, intoxication that causes a state of vertigo and nausea, causing one to feel as if "spinning out of control", especially when lying down. It is most commonly as ...
(if approved for type);
*# lazy eights,
chandelle
The ''chandelle'' is an aircraft control maneuver where the pilot combines a 180° turn with a climb.Crane, Dale: ''Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition'', page 102. Aviation Supplies & Academics, 1997. Light-Sport Aircraft
A light-sport aircraft (LSA), or light sport aircraft, is a category of small, lightweight aircraft that are simple to fly. LSAs tend to be heavier and more sophisticated than ultralight (aka "microlight") aircraft, but LSA restrictions on weigh ...
(LSA) category. Many aircraft are available as AULAs in Canada and LSAs in the United States.
Minimum useful load
Advanced ultra-light aeroplanes shall have a minimum useful load, ''M''
U or ''W''
U computed as follows:
* For a single place aeroplane:
::''M''
U = 80 + 0.3''P'', in kg; where ''P'' is the rated engine(s) power in kilowatts;
::''M''
U = 175 + 0.5''P'', in lb; where ''P'' is the rated engine(s) power in brake
horsepower
Horsepower (hp) is a unit of measurement of power, or the rate at which work is done, usually in reference to the output of engines or motors. There are many different standards and types of horsepower. Two common definitions used today are t ...
(bhp).
* For a two place aeroplane:
::''M''
U = 160 + 0.3''P'', in kg; where ''P'' is the rated engine(s) power in kW;
::''M''
U = 350 + 0.5''P'', in lb; where ''P'' is the rated engine(s) power in bhp.
Maximum empty mass (weight)
The maximum empty mass, ''M''
''E''max, (''W''
''E''max) includes all operational equipment that is actually installed in the aeroplane. It includes the mass (weight) of the airframe, powerplant, required equipment, optional and specific equipment, fixed ballast, full engine coolant, hydraulic fluid, and the residual fuel and oil. Hence, the maximum empty mass (weight) = maximum take-off mass (weight) - minimum useful load.
The registration marks for an advanced ultra-light aeroplane after 1997 begin with "C-Ixxx". Prior to that date they were C-Fxxx or C-Gxxx.
Operations
An
ultra-light pilot permit,
recreational pilot permit,
private
Private or privates may refer to:
Music
* "In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation''
* Private (band), a Denmark-based band
* "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorded ...
,
commercial
Commercial may refer to:
* (adjective for) commerce, a system of voluntary exchange of products and services
** (adjective for) trade, the trading of something of economic value such as goods, services, information or money
* a dose of advertising ...
or
airline transport aeroplane licence issued by
Transport Canada
Transport Canada () is the Ministry (government department), department within the Government of Canada responsible for developing regulations, Policy, policies and Public services, services of road, rail, marine and air Transport in Canada, tra ...
, is required in order for a person to operate an ultra-light aeroplane in Canada. Pilots holding a Recreational or higher license may carry a passenger in a two-seat advanced ultra-light aeroplane. Pilots with only an ultra-light permit may not carry a passenger in an advanced ultralight unless they have received a passenger carrying endorsement. Basic ultralights cannot carry passengers unless the passenger is another pilot. Student pilots undergoing training may be carried in basic ultralights.
Canadian Basic and Advanced Ultralights may be flown in the USA if the pilot holds a Recreational Pilot Permit or higher designation. Pilots holding an Ultralight Pilot Permit with instructor rating and who have at least 2 hours of cross country experience may also fly to the US.
Any Canadian Ultralight flying to the US also requires a Special Flight Operations Certificate from the FAA. This is a form the pilot completes which is then valid for 180 days.
Nomenclature
Officially this category of aircraft are known in Canada as ''Ultra-light Aeroplanes'' although in common use the American term ''Ultralight Airplanes'' is often used.
See also
*
Pilot licensing in Canada
Pilot licensing in Canada is administered by Transport Canada under the ''Aeronautics Act'' and the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).
Other than when flying a hang glider or paraglider, a person may only operate a Canadian-registered aircr ...
References
External links
Ultralight Pilots Association of Canada - Review of Canadian Aircraft CategoriesCanadian Owners and Pilots Association - Aircraft in Canada - Ultralights
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ultralight Aircraft (Canada)
Aviation in Canada