{{Short description|Category of aircraft in Canada}} [[File:UltraflightLazairSeriesIIC-ICKY02.JPG|thumb|upright=1.14|The basic ultralight [[Ultraflight Lazair]] is the most produced Canadian-designed aircraft of any category.]] [[Image:BlueYonderMerlinEZC-IGSV10.JPG|thumb|right|[[Aerocomp Merlin|Blue Yonder Merlin EZ]] Canadian-designed and built advanced ultralight airplane]] [[Image:QuadCityChallengerIIC-IGOK02.JPG|thumb|right|A common advanced ultralight seen in Canada: [[Quad City Challenger|Quad City Challenger II]]]] [[Image:JabiruCalypso3300C-IMDS01.jpg|thumb|right|[[Jabiru Aircraft|Jabiru Calypso 3300]] advanced ultralight aircraft on amphibious floats at the [[Canadian Aviation Expo]]]] [[Image:DFEAscenderIIIC01.jpg|thumb|right|Fly camping at a remote aerodrome with a Canadian registered [[Pterodactyl Ascender|DFE Ascender III-C]].]] [[File:Birdman Chinook 2S C-IBPE 0003.jpeg|thumb|right|The Canadian designed and built [[Birdman Chinook|Birdman Chinook 2S]], designed by [[Wladimir Talanczuk]] in 1981/82.]] [[Image:MurphyRenegadeSpiritC-IDBK.JPG|thumb|right|[[Murphy Renegade Spirit]] ultra light biplane.]]

The [[Canadian Aviation Regulations]] define two types of [[ultralight aircraft]]: 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]]. An earlier definition<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Regserv/Affairs/cars/Part1/Version/101008.htm |title = Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part I - General Provisions, Subpart 1 - Interpretation |date = October 10, 1996 |author = Transport Canada |access-date = 2007-11-07 }}</ref> of "ultra-light aeroplane", effective October 10, 1996, meant:

* a single-seat aeroplane that has a launch weight of 165 [[kilogram|kg]] (364 [[pound (mass)|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 {{convert|10|m2|abbr=on}}, * a two-seat instructional aeroplane that has a launch weight of 195&nbsp;kg (430 pounds) or less, and a wing area, expressed in square metres, of not less than 10 m<sup>2</sup> and a [[wing loading]] of not more than 25&nbsp;kg/m<sup>2</sup> (5.12&nbsp;lb/ft<sup>2</sup>), the wing loading being calculated using the launch weight plus the occupant weight of 80&nbsp;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.<ref name="CAR101">{{cite web |url = http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Regserv/Affairs/cars/Part1/Subpart1.htm |title = Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part I - General Provisions, Subpart 1 - Interpretation |date = June 30, 2007 |author = Transport Canada |access-date = 2007-11-07 }}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Sport Aviation|date=Feb 1958}}</ref> Regulation of ultralight aircraft in Canada is covered by the [[Canadian Aviation Regulations]], 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|maximum take-off weight]] not exceeding 544&nbsp;kg (1,200 pounds), and * a [[stall speed]] in the landing configuration ([[V speeds|''V''<sub>S0</sub>]]) of 39 [[knot (unit)|knots]] (45&nbsp;mph) indicated airspeed, or less, at the maximum take-off weight;<ref name="CAR101"/>

===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).<ref name="CAR101"/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060825125553/http://www.capitalairsports.com/Canada_en/sales/Canada_en_chinook/float/DS10141E.pdf DESIGN STANDARDS FOR ADVANCED ULTRA-LIGHT AEROPLANES DS 10141E]</ref>

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''<sub>TOmax</sub> or ''W''<sub>TOmax</sub>, of: *# 350&nbsp;kg (770&nbsp;lb) for a single place aeroplane, or *# 560.0&nbsp;kg (1232&nbsp;lb) for a two place aeroplane; * A maximum stalling speed in the landing configuration, ''V''<sub>S0</sub>, at manufacturer's recommended maximum take-off mass (weight) not exceeding 72&nbsp;km/h (20&nbsp;m/s, 45&nbsp;mph) (IAS); and * Is limited to non-aerobatic operations. Non-aerobatic operations include: *# manoeuvres incident to normal flying *# [[Stall (flight)|stalls]] and [[Spin (flight)|spins]] (if approved for type); *# lazy eights, [[chandelle]]s; and *# steep turns, in which the angle of bank is not more than 60°

The advanced ultra-light aeroplane (AULA) category is similar, but not identical, to the American [[Light-sport aircraft|Light-Sport Aircraft]] (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''<sub>U</sub> or ''W''<sub>U</sub> computed as follows: * For a single place aeroplane: ::''M''<sub>U</sub> = 80 + 0.3''P'', in kg; where ''P'' is the rated engine(s) power in kilowatts; ::''M''<sub>U</sub> = 175 + 0.5''P'', in lb; where ''P'' is the rated engine(s) power in brake [[horsepower]] (bhp). * For a two place aeroplane: ::''M''<sub>U</sub> = 160 + 0.3''P'', in kg; where ''P'' is the rated engine(s) power in kW; ::''M''<sub>U</sub> = 350 + 0.5''P'', in lb; where ''P'' is the rated engine(s) power in bhp.<ref name="UTS">{{cite web |url = http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/general/recavi/Ultralight/ULTransitionStrategy/menu.htm |title = Ultra-light Aeroplane Transition Strategy |date = April 17, 2007 |author = Transport Canada |access-date = 2007-11-04 }}</ref>

====Maximum empty mass (weight)==== The maximum empty mass, ''M''<sub>''E''<sub>max</sub></sub>, (''W''<sub>''E''<sub>max</sub></sub>) 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.<ref name="UTS"/>

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.<ref name="UTS"/>

== Operations ==

An [[Pilot licensing in Canada#Ultra-light pilot permit|ultra-light pilot permit]], [[Pilot licensing in Canada#Recreational pilot permit.E2.80.94aeroplane|recreational pilot permit]], [[Pilot licensing in Canada#Private pilot licence.E2.80.94aeroplane|private]], [[Pilot licensing in Canada#Commercial pilot licence.E2.80.94aeroplane|commercial]] or [[Pilot licensing in Canada#Airline transport pilot licence.E2.80.94aeroplane|airline transport]] aeroplane licence issued by [[Transport Canada]], is required in order for a person to operate an ultra-light aeroplane in Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Regserv/Affairs/cars/Part4/401.htm |title = Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part IV - Personnel Licensing and Training, Subpart 1 - Flight Crew Permits, Licences and Ratings |date = December 14, 2006 |author = Transport Canada |access-date = 2007-11-08 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.copanational.org/files/COPAGuidetoUltralights.pdf |title = COPA Guide to Ultralights 13th Edition |date = July 2014 |author = Canadian Owners and Pilots Association |access-date = April 13, 2015 |archive-date = September 23, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210450/http://www.copanational.org/files/COPAGuidetoUltralights.pdf |url-status = dead }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/gen_av/ultralights/sfa/ |title = FAA Special Flight Operations Certificate |author = Federal Aviation Administration |access-date = 2015-04-13}}</ref>

==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.<ref name="CAR101"/>

== See also == *[[Pilot licensing in Canada]]

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == *[http://www.upac.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=141&Itemid=56 Ultralight Pilots Association of Canada - Review of Canadian Aircraft Categories] *[http://www.copanational.org/AircraftInCaUltralights.cfm Canadian Owners and Pilots Association - Aircraft in Canada - Ultralights] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202153706/http://www.copanational.org/AircraftInCaUltralights.cfm |date=2010-12-02 }} *[http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/standards/general-ccarcs-advancedullist-2036.htm Transport Canada Listing of Models Eligible to be Registered as Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplanes (AULA)]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ultralight Aircraft (Canada)}} [[Category:Aviation in Canada]]