Over the past 15 years there have been several occasions where the United States Ultralight Association, Inc. (USUA), or USUA members individually, have petitioned FAA for increased parameters of single place powered ultralight vehicles for pilots who had successfully completed knowledge and practical tests appropriate to operations under Federal Aviation Regulation part 103 (Ultralight Vehicles).

For example, USUA petitioned FAA on May 10, 1991 asking to allow powered ultralights a modest increase in weight, speed and fuel capacity. This was in direct response to many ultralighters at an FAA-hosted ultralight conference in Lakeland, Florida, on April 9, 1991.

FAA never responded directly to that petition.

On April 13, 1994, USUA member H.O. Malone, Jr. spearheaded and personally signed on USUA letterhead a petition again requesting modest increases in definition for single seat powered ultralight vehicles flown by trained pilots. Approximately two years later he submitted the request again in his own name. His persistence is notable.

In each case FAA returned vague and unacceptable responses.

The petitions generally agreed in requesting the following vehicle definition increases for trained pilots:

• Single occupant,
• 360 pounds empty weight,
• Ten gallons maximum fuel capacity,
• 32 knots maximum power-off stall speed, and
• 72 knots maximum air speed at full power in level flight.

The general justification language included the following points:

• provides for additional safety features to be incorporated into single seat powered ultralight vehicles.
• provides for statistical information and accident information dissemination.
• provides for enhanced privileges to only those individuals who have successfully completed an ultralight competency program and who operate a vehicle that is registered and displays registration markings.
• enhances public safety by assuring that each pilot has demonstrated knowledge of basic aeronautics and existing airspace/operational laws.
• provides for an international harmonization with other countries that authorize operation of similar vehicles for similarly qualified pilots.

A natural extension of the above requests is to propose to FAA a Special FAR associated with part 103 (ultralight vehicles). In this SFAR USUA proposes that FAA codify the existing ultralight pilot training programs and include an aircraft registry requirement. (This is the same regulatory methodology proposed by FAA to allow creation of sport pilots, instructors, and light sport aircraft.)

The resulting FAA pilot certificate would authorize operation of ultralight vehicles with the expanded definition for those pilots who completed the application requirements including required training and successful completion of knowledge and practical tests. These requirements would be identical to those ultralight pilot registration programs now in place, but which presently provide no significant benefits for those who participate. FAA would issue the certificate. The possibility of FAA authorizing membership associations to do the administrative work would be a possibility but not a requirement.

Under this plan, FAA would have the same standard-setting authority and enforcement capability as it does with aviation operations under other FARs.