Note: these instructions are intended to be a "quick guide" only. Always consult the USUA Ultralight Airmen And Vehicle Registration Program document for complete details.

If you are interested in learning to fly ultralights, first, select a qualified USUA BFI near you.

Your instructor will make sure you are registered as a USUA Student Pilot, and as a full USUA member.

Student pilots must have reached the age of 12. Pilot Applicants must have reached the age of 16.

You will receive ground and flight instruction as defined in the USUA Ultralight Pilot Written And Practical Test Standards. Pilot applicants must log at least 10 hours of instruction, to include at least 3 hours of supervised solo. (Applicants who hold a valid FAA pilot certificate only need to log half this time)

Once you have completed the necessary instruction, your instructor will administer an oral, written, and flight test. Upon successful completion of these tests, your instructor will submit your USUA Pilot application to the USUA.

To become a USUA BFI, applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old, and in good health.
• Be a current member of the USUA.
• Be registered as a USUA Ultralight Pilot.
• Have logged at least 100 hours Ultralight pilot-in-command (PIC) time. FAA rated pilots may receive credit for up to 80 hours of flight time toward this 100 hour minimum.
• Obtain at least 15 hours of additional dual instruction from a USUA BFI. FAA rated CFI's are exempt from this requirement.
• Pass the "Fundamentals Of Instruction" written exam, which is administered by your instructor. FAA rated CFI's and ground instructors are exempt from this requirement (since they have already taken this test). In addition, some educators are also exempt.
• Pass USUA written, oral, and flight tests administered by a USUA AFI.
• Submit completed BFI application and appropriate fees to USUA.

To become a USUA AFI, applicants must:

• Be a current BFI with an FAA recognized ultralight registration program for at least 6 months.
• Have trained at least 3 BFI candidates.
• Have successfully completed a USUA AFI seminar.
• Submit completed AFI application to USUA.

If you are already an AFI with another organization, and wish to become a USUA AFI, you must also submit the following with your application:

• Documentation showing your current AFI registration (copy of your AFI card).

The United States Ultralight Association is responsible to the Federal Aviation Administration for the proper administration and registration activities related to all USUA registered airman operating under Exemption 4274.

The following describes USUA procedures and actions to be conducted upon receipt of a formal request for review by the FAA, notification of an FAA enforcement action or receipt of three letters signed by three different individuals, groups or agencies which contain specific claims, complaints, concerns, allegations, etc about any USUA registered airman, who is so accused, while operating under FAA Exemption 4274 and/or associated FAA regulations.

1. USUA Director of Safety and Training will, upon receipt of a bonifide reason to do so, (see above) will activate the USUA Airman Peer Review Board. This Board will be comprised of selected members of the USUA Safety and Training Committee. Simultaneously, the Director of Safety and Training Committee will notify, in writing, the airman being investigated. The airman will be made aware of the claims, concerns, charges, allegations, etc, made against him/her.
2. Upon receipt of official notification the Director of the Airman Peer Review Board will be responsible for the fair and impartial conduct of an investigation/inquiry regarding the charges. The Director may assign as many members of the Safety and Training Committee to the Peer Review Board as will be necessary to conduct a proper investigation. Investigating members of the Peer Review Board will conduct their investigations by personal interview, telephone interview/inquiry or other electronic communications. The investigation should be thorough and include data collection from all sources, such the complainants, the accused, eyewitnesses and any other legitimate sources that may develop during the investigation such as local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
3. Upon completion of the investigation the Director of the Airman Peer Review Board will notify the Director of the Safety and Training Committee of all findings. All facts, related to each charge, concern, allegation, etc, will be described in detail with evidence to support the validity of each fact.
4. The Director of the Safety and Training Committee will convene the Safety and Training Committee to review findings of the Peer Review Board and make recommendations to USUA Executive Vice President.
5. Final adjudication of the case will be the responsibility of the Executive Vice President who will advise the Board of Directors of the actions taken.

To register your plane with the USUA, simply download and complete the USUA Vehicle Application. Mail this form, with appropriate fees, to the USUA.

This form is used for new applications, as well as transferring an existing registration from a different ultralight, or from another organization. If you are transferring a registration from another organization, your USUA registration number will be changed, to conform with USUA registration number conventions. Custom numbers are available, but must conform to the pre-described USUA format (see application for details).

If you are already a USUA pilot, and wish to add a category/class to your pilot rating, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and complete the USUA Pilot Application. Check the "Add Category/Class" box, and circle the desired category/class you are applying for.

Step 2: Have a BFI (from any FAA recognized Ultralight training program), administer the flight test using a vehicle that is in the same Category/Class you are applying for. The BFI will fill out the "Flight Test" portion of this form. You do not need to re-take the written or oral tests, so those fields can be left blank.

Step 3: Mail the completed application from step 1, along with a photocopy of your existing USUA membership card, showing your pilot rating to USUA. There is no fee for adding a Category/Class to your pilot rating, but if your USUA membership is not current, you will need to add appropriate membership fees.

If you already are an Ultralight Instructor (BFI) with EAA or ASC, and wish to become a USUA BFI, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and complete the BFI Conversion Application

Step 2: Mail the following documents to USUA:

• Completed BFI Conversion Application from step 1

• Copy of your existing BFI credentials, and Training Exemption (including the authorization letter, showing your authorization to operate under that exemption). Note: These documents must show that your BFI status is current, and must show the date on which your BFI status expires.

• Payment to USUA, for membership (if you need to join or renew), and the BFI Conversion processing fee.

If you are not a BFI, but did complete BFI training with another organization, and wish to become a USUA BFI, follow these steps:

Step 1: Have the instructor you trained with (and yourself) complete and sign the following documents:

• Pilot Checklist
• Instructor Checklist

Step 2: Complete the BFI written, oral, and Flight Test, from any USUA AFI

Step 3: Complete (along with the USUA AFI that administered the tests) the USUA BFI Application

Step 4: Mail the following to USUA:

• The completed forms from Step #1 and #3 above
• Copy of your FOI written test results, showing a passing grade
• Appropriate USUA BFI fees, and USUA Membership (if you need to join or renew)