10 Aircraft You Can Fly WITHOUT a License 

Make sure to check out Part 2 ✈ ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-sb4V9CK63IU.html ✈

Not sure where you got your information, but you have to have a license to fly light sport. It's an abridged version of a GA license and the requirements are lighter, but it comes with restrictions. Also, FAR103 (ultralights), and light sport are two different categories. And, as noted by others, you always have to have a license if there is more than one seat in the aircraft.

I taught myself to fly with a Quicksilver MX. Liked it so much that I bought the newer GT500. Actually flew it from central VA to Kitty Hawk, NC one day and eventually used it to get my GA license. Sat in a hanger for 30 years while I traveled America in a Cessna 206. Those days are done so I’m restoring the Quicksilver so grandpaw can get one last thrill. I will say, the Jetson One sure looks fun.

This is such a fascinating topic. Thank you. I could see a whole miniseries documentary on this topic covering the design, building, first-hand experience in assembling one. I'll bet there's a lot of anecdotal accounts. I saw one news clip about a farmer who would fly his ultralite in the morning before work. The vistas over the treetops were incredible. What a nice way to start a day!

Phantom and it was a joy. A good friend built it and allowed me to fly it. It illustrated the value of short field take off and the powerful Rotax performance was amazing. His ultralight was equipped with a Ballistic shute. It had a +9-7 airframe and I always felt safe.

In the USA FAR 103 ultralights, which do not require a license, are limited to 1 seat, 254 lbs empty, 5 gal, and top speed of 63 mph. Light Sport aircraft are another category that DO REQUIRE A LICENSE and are limited to 2 seats, 1320 lbs empty, and a top speed of 138 mph. This video includes planes that do require a license. In particular the Challenger which I happen to own and fly.

Your photos and descriptions are way off on several models and you are flat out wrong on some models. Your title is misleading and wrong. No two seat aircraft can be flown without a license.

My brother owns a Challenger. He's taken me up in it quite a few times, and I have to admit, the first time was a bit nerve-racking, but once I got out of the fear of the thing just falling out of the sky, it was alot of fun. Personally, im not all that interested in flying, or piloting a aircraft, but I do enjoy the riding along quite a bit.

I fly RC Aircraft for the last 25 years. Have built Acrobatic to Jets (Electric) and some Helicopters too. Love the RC stuff. Can crash with no damage to self!! LOL! Got to fly an Extra 330 full size once, my Daughter bought me a 2 hour flight experience. It was a blast. I got to do rolls loops and some high G pullout dives. What a blast to say the least. Best gift EVER Nessa! 😉

Love the KOLB, I personally own the FireStar and love flying this aircraft.

in 1980 in Manitoba Canada I helped build (with my cousin Ted P. and Friend Alan H) and test fly 22 Quicksilvers. .which Al got From Motorized Gliders of Iowa From Dale K sadly years ago (Dale was killed while testing new equipment).. we originally used Chrysler go cart engines. .but after mufflers falling off and a rod going out the side of a block during take off we switched to 100cc Yamaha Engines. they were fun to fly. .during this time, after numerous failed landing gear, and wheels ,I developed a spring type landing gear to replace the fragile bike wheels and bungy cord landing set up. . we gave the Idea and plans to Dale and he used it on US Military gliders he sold.. Sadly our Friend who had started the Business and we worked with training people to fly them. .passed away 3 weeks ago. .It was Fun Al you and Dale now have real wings..

Great to see this category of aviation alive and well. In the UK, the first ultralight I flew was a single seat modified hang glider in a "Hanging Basket" Configuration. Being a fixed wing pilot, it's one of the few times that I've been "Up there, wishing I was down here"! 🤔

Over coming your fears, and being in. Control of leaving the ground is life changing!!

The most impressive is that Hummelcruiser. All aluminum, really cool. Expensive though considering the FAR103 performance limitations. Two really nice 103 legal planes you left out are the Mini Max 103 and the Fisher FP303. Nice, capable planes and available on the used market for really attractive prices. Flying isn't like driving and without some training induced muscle memory you will most likely die if you try to fly w/o training.

I think one of the best ultralight aircraft ever was the Pterodactyl P-Ascender. It was built on a double-surface, swept wing, hang-glider, with wing-tip rudders. It had a pusher prop, powered by a Cuyuna 30hp engine, with a 2:1 reduction gear and a full flying canard in the front, instead of an elevator, in the rear. This configuration was almost impossible to stall. In a 15mph wind, at full throttle, it could climb vertical. The glide ratio was 9:1. You could get up to cloud base, cut the engine and spend the whole afternoon up there, working thermals. The service ceiling was 18,000 feet. Turning was accomplished by turning one of the wingtip rudders. That would slow that wing. This would yaw the craft, bringing the opposing swept wing more directly into the wind, creating more lift on that wing, while reducing the angle of attack of the wing with the turned rudder, creating less lift. The craft would then bank in the direction of the turned rudder. In its earlier iteration, there were no ailerons. Just wingtip rudders and canard. Later versions implemented ailerons, which helped in cross-wind landings. In a heavy cross-wind, I had to come in at just barely above stall speed, yawed at maybe up to 20 degrees, depending on wind, and at exactly two feet, cut power, yaw the craft back into line with the runway. That yaw would slow the craft below stall, but I would give the canard a momentary up angle, to insure the stall. In that half second, I would touch down and push the canard full down. It took a couple of bumpy landings to get the process down. But after that, it was a piece of cake. I would have liked to have had the version with ailerons, but there was very little I couldn't do, without them. It was said to have a 75 foot take-off roll. However, it was capable of a much shorter roll, if you were facing directly into the wind, braked hard, and throttled up in place. I could take off across a runway, in less than 50 feet, with a 10mph wind and often had to, at the place I often flew. The original Pterodactyl had not canard and was controlled by pushing or pulling a control bar, changing your center of gravity, like a hang glider. The p-Traveler added the canard. The P-Ascender added the reduction gear and a larger, 54 inch prop. There were several versions of the P-Ascender. I added fiberglass rear landing gear to mine. That gear later became standard on newer P-Ascenders. The whole thing folded up small enough that I could carry it on top of aToyota Celica. Oh, yes. It was capable of a loop, though I would not advise it. The seat was a hammock-style, so a loop required additional pilot retention measures. Now that I'm older, I'm considering buying a rotorcraft of some sort.

I flew Lazair's for years on floats and skis. They are truly wonderful and amazing aircraft.

Some of these ultra lights are just a little too fragile looking for me to have the confidence to fly them - BUT - several of these were also extremely tempting to operate and looked incredibly sturdy and trustworthy...I had no idea license-free flying could look so cool and inspiring...thanks for sharing all of these !!

I have flown (and crashed) a Lazair Mk 1 (with Pioneer chainsaw engines) and a Challenger UL. I liked the Challenger a lot. The electric conversions of the Lazair are really super extension for this a/c. But my choice would be the electric Finnish UL hands down! Probably very expensive though

Fly Nano is the best one for me. That design is so sleek.

The Fly Nano is ideal for "wing in ground effect"use. Giving an aircraft extended range and economy is exceptional. Folding wings would be preferable.

I watched a new Ultralight owner, who equated 'no license' = 'no training' required. He 'attempted' 3 takeoffs, the 3rd one got him 20 feet into the air, whereupon he crashed into treetops and totaled his new aircraft. Only injury was to his wallet, $9K gone in 10 minutes.

The Nanos seems a nice fit, as here in Minnesota, water is in abundance most of the year.

Clickbait headline "You Can Fly WITHOUT a License" is misleading Some of these aircraft do require a pilot licence. LSA (Light Sport Aircraft) and FAR Part 103 Ultralight Aircraft are different. FAR Part 103 Ultralight aircraft do not require a pilot licence but it is common sense to take flight training to solo standard before attempting to fly them. > Part 103 Ultralight need to meet these requirements: Single Seat up to 254 pounds empty weight. 5 US gallons max. Maximum level speed of 55 knots, (63.3 mph) Less than 55 knots calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight Stall speed of not more than 24 knots (27.6 mph) Pilot License is not mandatory.

Range/air time (yes it will always vary based on flying habits) is still useful information.

Besides air speed, you should always mention the range of an aircraft.

When I first flew a microlight (UK term) in the UK in the early 80s, no licence was required. That soon changed. A pilot’s license group D was required along with airworthiness checks on the aircraft. My aircraft was an Eipper MX2. I also flew an MX1 on floats from Lake Windermere. Happy days.

You keep saying "aircrafts" when stating it in plural form. "Aircraft" is both the singular AND plural of "aircraft." Other than that, great video compilation!

Excellent video and very helpful. I will be flying one of these or an aircraft similar to them.

Ooooo.... I like the design of Hummel Ultracruiser. 🤩🤩

Lots of incorrect information in this video.

You may wish to do a bit of research. Any two seat aircraft requires a license. So the two place Quad City Challenger you said didn't, actually does require a license.

Owned a quicksilver with a 40/477 and pontoons, great aircraft for the price, great for high lake fishing and was a member of search and rescue.

It would be a great idea to cover the flynano in solar skin. A great bug out vehicle. Fly 200 miles. Camp for 3 days while it charges back up! With technology improving maybe 1-2 days.

These are pretty cool! My dad knows a special equation. All these vehicles look very good. I can't decide! I'll just wait until I grow up.

In the U.S. part 103 (ultralight) don't require a license (254lbs max no fuel, day flight, solo, 5gal fuel max, 55knots max, and 25knots stall) but light sport is a median license (day flight, 2place max, over 5gal fuel required for aircraft that exceed 103

I worked For Eipper Formance in the early 80's in San Marcos, then moved to Borrego and flew the weight shift QuickSilver for about a year at Ocotilla Wells, my last flight was over the hills behind Palomar college in San Marcos. Probably couldn't get away with that now that it has all been developed, but those were good times.

As for the water- launched plane, make sure you have life jacket, flares and all other USCG required equipment. I knew a marine patrol cop who went out of his way to bust seaplanes that landed in our area that weren't carrying BOAT stuff.

As others have already commented, some of the information here is false. Most notably, Light Sport Aircraft and Part 103 Ultralights are not the same. If you plan to get into ultralight flying, where no license is required, be distrustful of internet sources and always verify your compliance to the 254lb weight limit and the rest of Part 103 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

“What models have you DRIVEN?” 🤔🤔🤔

I used to own a Chotia double surfaced wing weedhopper. So much fun!

I like the Mosquito Light! (2nd) vertical takeoff!

The Light Sport category requires a license. It's the ultralight category that does not, which is significantly restricted in capabilities.

I've had 3 ultralights.. A Hummer, Rotec Rally Sport (the first aerobatic ultralight) and a 2 place Rotec Rally 3, licensed as a homebuilt. Ultralights are fun to fly, but those 2 cycle engines WILL quit on you. I've had 2 engine failures! I'd love to have another, since I lost my medical a few years ago. Losing the engine isn't that big a deal as long as you fly high enough to locate a place to land..

thank you. did not know we can buy these. God bless

I'm a Maxair person I learnt to fly in one in 1990 good feed back from the controls

For me personally, it's not a matter of "maybe" or "possibly", I KNOW I would crash and burn if I tried flying one of those contraptions...sounds fun in theory though! If I did try flying a light aircraft, I'd try a paramotor. They look super fun to fly!

For the least expensive and most versatile option, that fits in your vehicle: Power Paraglider (PPG) 😉

The Phantom is hands down the best and strongest UL available. 9.9g loading with full span ailerons the handling is incredible! The cockpit and windshield makes it very comfortable to fly. The Flight Star is also an incredible UL and should have been mentioned. If you like to do loops, spins, snap rolls and really have fun these are the two best ultralights,,,, period. Greg Black

Amazing people , with great ideas. See you in my next level. Thankyou.

Although a Pilots License is not mandatory to fly a Part 103 Ultralight in the US, it does make sense to take training to solo standard.

Only those ultralights weighing less than 254 pounds, and meeting the other criteria of Part 103 can be flown without a license. The Quad City Challenger definitely does NOT make the weight, and requires a license to fly.

My brother-in-law and I built an ultralight aircraft back in the early eighties. Never fished it. Still have the frame, wings ,Rotax engine(new) and prop. It was a design from Mitchel Wing . I still have those plans and the original advertisements of a lot of those ultralights. There is a Mitchel Wing ( hanging from the ceiling) at the Tucson AZ. Air Museum.

LSA are aircraft that you need an LSA license to fly. The category of aircraft where you don't need a license is called "Ultralight" aircraft.

Unless the ultralight rules have changed, once you add a second seat it's no longer considered an ultralight and is considered an experimental aircraft requiring a license. It's been many years since I've looked into the tough. They may fall under Light Sport requiring only a drivers license if I remember correctly.

I remember Popular Science or Mechanics that had plans in them to build an experimental aircraft using a VW engine out of a "Bug". That was back in the '60s or '70s. I think you could order the plans.

#8 Quad city challenger would be my pik...love it...holds 2 people...100 miles per hour...

huge props to anyone willing to fly one of these things

You need to check your facts light Sport and 103 Aviation are two different areas you can only fly far 103 without a license this means nothing over 245 lb no more than one seat and no more than 5 gallons of gas and no more than 65 knots

The moskito cones with the option of a turbine engine. You can build turbine time while in an ultralight helicopter.

These ultralight planes are awesome

okay.. i have to pause to comment cuz.... that fly nano..seriously. wow incredible

It would have been nice to mention the price and where to purchase the kits.

To inform the non aviation public, in the United States, technically, the only aircraft categorized by the FAA that can be flown without a license is an “ultralight” aircraft that is regulated in the FAR’s under part 103. Anything that falls outside of that specification requires some form of license issued by the FAA depending on the weight, speed and mission of the aircraft and pilot, e.g. private pilot, recreational or sport-pilot.

Great video! Subscribed!

Cessna 150, 152, 177, 178, 182, Piper Pa140, Tomahawk, PA161, PA181. I would love to give every one of those a try, and maybe take the Hummel home.

Also I WANT HUMMEL ULTRACRUSER

Would be too scared to fly on my own. Great video.

Good stuff. You should do the cheapest safest airplanes out there. That will be cool. ✌🏽

Check out the PPC Ultralight! For those who don't like to fly w/o a parachute: P.owered P.ara C.hute - that's its wing, always deployed. Good for 1 - 1Ø,ØØØ ft (The 2 seater requires a sports pilot license, however)

LSA requires a sport pilot certificate or higher. Ultralight and LSA are very different.

At a minimum, the Quad City Challenger and Fly Nano are not Ultralight Aircraft, although a few others on this list may not be either. The Quad City Challenger can not be an ultralight due to it having multiple seats, and the Fly Nano exceeds speed regulations for ultralights.

As soon as you add a second seat for a passenger (at least in the US) you are required to be licensed whether it be fixed wing or rotary wing. Just a heads up!!!

Interesting flying machines, they get better and more diverse year by year, especially the mini jets and all electric. One point of interest, I have always seen the term ‘aircraft’ is used whether one or many aircraft. Perhaps different terminology in the USA? Thank you for sharing your presentation.

Great video. Would like to have known their price and availability.

False. Quad City Challenger isn’t a part 103 aircraft. Do better research...

Once owned a Lazair(1981 vintage) but never had an airport to take off from and crashed before I got to use it for any length of time. That was back in 2003 around Markdale, Ontario, Canada.

I love my ICON A5. It takes off and lands on a runway and or water. It also has a Ducati engine and can reach an altitude of 12,000 ft.

You can fly any aircraft without a license until someone catches you.

I think in Germany you need a licence for everything. Definitely when it flies. If you go up in the air with a bunch of balloons in the hand, you need a licence.

Got your own field then so long as you take off and land on your own field your good to go :)

👍. very good , seen at least three I'd like to have , !

You don't need a license to fly anything if you can get it off the runway fast enough :)

you can fly any aircraft without a licence if you're brave enough.

The best dreams i've ever had are the flying ones and i've had a lot. I even had one where I played an entire game of quidditch, it was freaking wild. I don't know how my brain does it but it creates the most vivid places and for some reason knows how certain physics I have no experience with works, or at least gets it close to a believable approximation.

My brother bought a Rogallo hang glider glide ratio of 3:1 (death trap) I certainly liked the Fly Nano I do hope they come down in price. I have looked into ground effect planes too.

"You should note that the cockpit has no windshield." Literally the very next frame has a picture of it's windshield.

Just what we need, more people taking to the sky without formal training. Have you ever been on the freeways in the US?

That's amazing

They gotta be scary to fly. I guess it doesnt matter what you crash in if your going fast enough.

Maybe you should've included the range of these airplanes?

I own a 1983 Lazair with factory enclosure and many updates from the factory. I have had it since new. I built a trailer and hanger for it as well.

you should point out that probably only in the USA and very few other countries you can fly those things without a license. in most European countries you need even a license to fly paragliders... 😉

Do you have any accident data on these planes? Someone told me it was as high as 90%. Flynano is beautiful.

The Flying Nano is pure bliss!

Just look up "14 CFR Part 103.1 (FAR 103)" Has to be a one seater, under 254lbs (empty) if it has an engine and 155lbs if it's a glider, can't have the capability to go over 55mph, can't be used commercially, and has to have 5 gallons or less fuel tank capacity. There are more restrictions, but those are the main ones.

Graças a Santos Dumont o mundo pode conhecer o avião. Esse gênio abriu mão dos direitos de invenção para que o mundo pudesse evoluir.

All of this applies basically to the USA only. It would have been appreciated to have made that clear in the title and introduction. The rest of the world is a big place! Also, an appreciable percentage of the information that you disperse is wrong under the current FAA / USA regulations and in some other countries it is permissible under the national aviation regulations to fly some categories of aircraft with a permit instead of a license. Niall, Canada.

New Zealander Richard Pearse was the first person to fly, as early as 31 March 1902

I like the polished alloy mini plane but would like the amphibious one . Thanks 🇦🇺🙏🏼

These are not Light Sport aircraft. There are and MY Ultra Cruiser in the video are Ultra Light aircraft. Not Lightsport