Private Pilots Need Ultralight Type Check

The following article is based on an article which was published in ASL 1/97. It is an important seasonal reminder for private and commercial pilots who fly ultralights.

The pilot held a private pilot licence, aeroplane category, when he decided to try out the Beaver RX550 he had just bought. He also owned a Piper J3, but had never flown an ultralight. He started the engine and a witness heard it quit, then restart. Shortly after the aircraft took off, the witness called someone who lived by the airport to say an aircraft had crashed. It was discovered inverted in a few feet of water with the pilot’s body floating nearby.

A couple driving on the highway also saw the aircraft, apparently on downwind, carry out a tight left turn, then nose-dive to the ground and crash. They were unable to approach the aircraft from the highway due to the deep water.

The aircraft engine was not operating on impact and the seat belt was broken on both sides. The autopsy showed the pilot had drowned.

This is not the first time a private pilot licence holder has had a serious accident while trying to fly an ultralight without type training. Ultralights, with their lower speeds and different handling qualities, demand different skills compared to, say, a Cessna 150 or Piper J3. While the private licence permits a pilot to fly an ultralight without further training, it is considered poor judgement to do so. A prudent licence holder will normally obtain a "type check" from a qualified instructor before attempting solo flight in an unfamiliar aircraft, whether it be an ultralight or any other type.

A letter to the editor suggested that the ASL write about ultralight incidents. We don’t normally, because we have a dedicated newsletter for these, Aviation Safety Ultralight and Balloon. The letter does point out, however, that not everyone is aware of the family of aviation safety newsletters published by Transport Canada. So, aside from the ASL, here is the list:

Vortex — Published six times a year, Vortex is distributed free to all Canadian licensed helicopter pilots.

Maintainer — For all AMEs with a current license, four issues yearly bring the latest maintenance concerns to all wrench benders.

Ultralight and Balloon — Mailed twice a year to the balloon community and those pilots who fly the lightweights. Pilots who fly ultralights based on the privileges of their private or commercial pilot licenses do not receive this newsletter automatically. If you would like to be included on the mailing list of one of the above newsletters, fax your request to (613) 991-4280.