Are Powered Paragliders “Aircraft”?
Many people say of ultralights, “Law xxx doesn’t apply because we’re not aircraft; we’re ultralight vehicles” This is simply not correct. According to Federal Aviation Regulations, Part 1, Section 1 (Definitions): “Aircraft means a device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air.” Not much ambiguity there. The confusion comes from the fact that unlike other aircraft, “ultralight vehicles” are required not to follow the requirements of Part 91, the General Operating rules: 91.1 Applicability. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section and 91.701 and 91.703, this part prescribes rules governing the operation of aircraft (other than moored balloons, kites, unmanned rockets, and unmanned free balloons, which are governed by part 101 of this chapter, and ultralight vehicles operated in accordance with part 103 of this chapter) within the United States… Note how the above is worded. It does NOT say that an ultralight vehicle is not an aircraft; it sim
