Micah! This is Chris Bailey from the July 23rd class last summer! This is so helpful because I just had my first call from the FAA last week. The complaint was that I wasn’t 500 ft above electric wires? It was just a warning and the FAA guy was really cool. Good to see you continuing to help people in this amazing sport! Safe flying!
The FAA guy said I was still technically within city limits when this happened and that’s why there was a violation. He said out in the middle of nowhere is a non-issue but within city limits it is
@@liftedppg4370 I'm curious as well. Im not sure thats a 'thing'. A lot of GA rules out there, but we are exempt from them. It creates a lot of confusion. 500' above power lines around here, and I'd never be able to land ANYWHERE.
Great stuff. And the opening disclaimer you made- that is why I almost hate seeing the sport grow. I’m new to the sport but extremely respectful. Coming from FPV drones I’ve seen that hobby absolutely blow up and now have more regulations because of the few idiots that join as well. I hope PPG keeps growing but I hope we can self govern ourselves so that we keep this awesome freedom we have here in the USA
Yep, that’s why I feel so driven with this channel. Of course I want others to be safe and increase their knowledge and skill, but really its the selfish part of longing to keep this freedom that gets me fired up 🦅
Been flying PPG for over 6 years, I know most everything you’ve explained but liked the way you break it all down kept my attention all the way to the end. Nice video 👍
Glad to hear that there’s no restrictions on barefoot piloting. 😜 How had I not found your channel until now? Thank you Micah! Still having a fantastic and blessed time on my trike but still dream of foot-launch! Grandpa T-Rex
Part 61 pilot here. At 4:20, the rules you're operating under depend on who made the plane and why. If a factory made the plane (and it meets all the other ultralight rules except for being certificated), then it's either an S-LSA (special airworthiness) or a converted E-LSA (experimental). If it was made by someone at home for fun, it's either an E-AB or an exhibition-category experimental depending on what they register it as. Other experimental certificates are possible (like for air racing), but don't tend to have much overlap with potential ultralights. Happy to explain more if any questions. :)
While I know very little on this topic it is interesting is that for you to fly as part 103, it sure requires a lot of education and the ability to read those aerial maps. While it may not be compulsory requirement for training, there is a fair amount of education that needs to happen for a beginner to fly safely.
Great video! Now this is the type of content that will actually protect the sport! Rather than the usual drones simply telling all the noobys you don't know what ya don't know. Not helpful for them or any of us! Wish I could give more than 1 👍👍👍👍
Excellent breakdown Micah. After getting my fill of flying videos, I get a renewed appetite for this type of informational content. Always good to rewatch every so often. Keep it up and don’t forget to take a breath! 😄👍
Thanks for sharing this video and information. I am non-current FAA Private Pilot SEL & Commercial Hot Air Balloon Pilot considering this aviation sport.
It would seem that 103.15 would also classify the airspace directly above the occupied houses and condominiums of a barrier island incorporated town as a "congested area."
I live in Australia, and we need these regulations or lack of here in Australia. It is all commonsense, and if people do the right thing, there should be no issue. Even if there is an accident, if people used you caution, it shouldn’t damage somebody else or their property.
Early in this video, you mentioned that you would be covering 2-man (tandem) operations "later on". Well, I guess you did, as far as paramotors were concerned. (I was hoping to get an expanded coverage on fixed-wing and trike ultralights, too...) But, certainly, paramotors are definitely your thing (and your focus), here!
must weigh LESS than 254, and the parachute option of 24 lbs is UP TO that amount, you dont just get a free 24 lbs, they can weigh the chute and then deduct it from the empty weight and if you are 254 or over, you are not a 103 vehicle
Quick question you might be able to help with. You mentioned charging for tandem flights but charging for the training and not the actual flight. Would that also be an idea for flying banners? Charging for the banner and not the actual flight of the banner? Proposal messages and things of that nature.
The lines become pretty grey in that area. I think you might get a fed call for that one only because it appears pretty obvious that you are advertising by flying and being compensated. Seems a little hard to wiggle out of that one, but you might be able to make a case!
You’re making me feel old! Haha. The old rule was 254 pounds. Then the BRS parachute came along which weighed something like 10 pounds and the ultra lighters (think Quicksilvers, Challengers, and the old Northwing style weight shift hang glider trike) freaked, saying that now their ultralight which weighed 253 pounds was over the limit. So the FAA comes along and says “okay okay. we don’t want you augering into the elementary school playground when you fold a wing, so you get your parachute exemption.” Then: Sport Pilot. SO many people were cheating and buying two seat ultralights “for instructional use only” and just taking friends up or charging for rides at fly ins, that the FAA stepped in and created “sport pilot”. Suddenly the two seat ultralight trainer for $20000 became the Sport Pilot plane for $40,000 and nearly killed the industry. And thus, an old fart history lesson.
So, in other words, those idiots killed it for the rest of us! (P.S: The Rutan brothers and I are in the same age bracket.) Question: Are 2-seat tandem, fixed-wing trainers completely illegal now, under F.A.R. Part 103?
No problem! I was recently made aware of that detail. Some of FAR 103 is what it excludes from being permitted, this is one of those details. Can’t say I’m not guilty 🥸
The assertion that the FAA suddenly created drone rules due to problems with people is 100% incorrect, In 2012, Congress gave the FAA until 2015 to develop rules for military, commercial, and privately-owned drones to operate in U.S. airspace. This was in direct response to industry, AMAZON, desiring to ship stuff via unmanned drones, which is being done for years in australia new zealand and other places.
I have permission to fly at 3 nearby airports- seeking permission at another but the manager isn't responding to my initial email Is there a recommended approach to get to allowance at a public airport accepting fed funds?
I have always been told that we cannot fly national parks / wilderness area. But I've always had questions on state parks and national Forest take off and landings is there anything that specifies state parks and national forest?
National forests and state parks are good to go, as far as I know. I don’t think state parks are going to like you taking off in them though? Worth some more research! I take off/fly in national forests frequently.
The best part of paragliding for me is the under the radar vibe. I love aviation but i hate rules and the government. I tought myself to sail to ride a unicycle to fly a ultralight and a glider. 103 is the only reason i dont break the law of the air.
I definitely recommend keeping some good distance, but to clarify the rule specifically says “over”. They just don’t want your engine to fall off and kill someone.
I flew an ELSA which required a Light Sport Aircraft License from the FAA. I had to train 25 hours of certified flight time by a certified flight instructor. I was requried to plan a 50 mile flight using sectional maps, landing at three uncontrolled airports. I had to pass an FAA LSA written examination and I had to fly with an FAA examiner in adddition to an oral exam by said examiner. So, to back up what this guy is saying. Be responsible if you want to keep it simple. Aircraft flying west to east fly odd altitudes + 500 feet. East to West even altitudes + 500 feet. However, pvt planes normally will be flying at 7000 to 10000 feet. Stay away from clouds.
I have never flown a manned full scale aircraft before. I fly remote control models. How hard would it be for me to transfer from a model to full scale ultralight? 🤔😁
If you are intending to fly a fixed wing ultralight, then the difference in perspective is the same as driving a car vs. an R/C car. As in, operating from inside the vehicle vs. from outside of it. With paragliders and paramotors there is the matter of learning to groundhandle the glider, but that isn't difficult.
@@Logan4661 Wow! an actual good response, and without the usual comment section sarcasm 😂💯👍👍 I actually fly fixed wing drones. So I am flying first person view. I takeoff and land in the goggles. But understanding the fundamentals of flight I am aware that these two things are not the same and it is not as easy as it may appear. I would love to get lessons someday (ultralight trike)
@@GordonScottYankeeEngineer To be honest, flying fixed wing FPV is still more difficult than flying ultralights. When you're in the seat you see, hear, and feel what's happening in real time and 3 dimensions. The "hard part" of Part 103 is that since you have the ability to operate in a much larger volume of the airspace, you need to understand a lot more about the airspace system and weather(!), but other than that Part 103 aircraft are pretty simple and easy to learn and fly. A lot of schools offer introductory flights, which means that you are a "student for a day," and not just a passenger. In other words, they explain how things work and you get to fly (operate the controls) for some of the flight. I would encourage you to give that a go as soon as practical, because you will either find out that it isn't really going to be your cup o' tea and put the silly idea to rest once and for all, or you might discover that you NEED this in your life... nay.... this IS your life now! I've met a lot of pilots, not a single one has said they wish they would've waited until later in life to start flying.
@@Logan4661 thank you for taking the time to reply. Very kind of you sir. 🙏 I’m in my 50s now. My father’s best friend owned a airport in Tewksbury Massachusetts. My father had a piper Cherokee, weekend hobbyist. I’ve always wanted to get my ticket but life happens happens while we are busy making plans sometimes ☹️🙏
Does that mean if a Canadian flies their registered paramotor from Canada in the US, its not part 103 and actually not legal? Nuts, lots of Canadians do that.
Do PPG in Canada require an airworthiness certificate for the aircraft? I know they need some sort of registration, but if there is no annual inspection involved/certificate I think they are okay operating under 103? I tried calling the FAA to clarify on this but no button I pressed got me talking to an actual human lol.
I disagree with you on the class e surface area. There are two types of class e surface area. 1 attached to an airport 2 an extension to class d airspace. We can't fly in #1 without permission from the controlling authority. We can fly in #2 without needing to contact anyone. How do I know this? I live in a class e surface area extension and did extensive research on to learn if I could fly from my house. As it turns out i can.
Yep I looked it up. The dashed magenta circle around an airport is class E to surface designated for an airport. That’s a no go. Any dashed magenta extension is legal flying space BUT you gotta watch out because those are typically off the ends of runways. Page 96 PPG Bible.
I would like to add that paramotor training should go back to the 103 roots of clubs! I know a lot disagree because ya know cash rules, n everyone wants a job doing what they love, but hear me out. This method is causing a lot of people to self train, and if more n more do that, well they are less likely to be educated on rules n safety. The ultralight clubs that use to exist more really promoted the sports knowledge n safety along with conraderie. All at a subsidised rate (due to the non profit status) which more people could afford to pay. So I ask what does the paracommunity want more? Money? Safety? Less regulation? Clubs will get the 2 latter accomplished, but I highly doubt people will chose it over money these days. End of rant....
Super interesting. This must have been before my time. My thought on being trained by a private company is that they are monetarily incentivized to get you competent, as opposed to a public club? You get what you pay for sorta thing? That being said there are plenty of private schools that do a shot job for how much they charge 🥴
@@liftedppg4370 and I'm confused n slightly offended by the get what you pay for comment!? The instructors are still certified by usua and or asc, which correct me if I'm wrong but isn't asc where most of the Parapeeps get their training tandem exemption!? This is the same kind of talk like Dell uses just a little more ummm modest! This sport is not rocket science...a monkey can learn to kite ppl only need to learn when n how to practice it safely. Then need be aware of tork affect n e few other variable. But if they do that they can be just as competent as what I see so called schools put out!
Good vid, very informative. Otherwise, it sounds as though you werent born and raised in the U.S. with ideology such as "freedoms that have been gifted by the FAA".. its hard to understand how "freedom" and "privilege" can be used in the same sentance. Privileges that can be taken are the property of the one granting and taking that privilege. And i believe it was the people of the colonies who fought and died the tyranical government of the king in order to secure ownership of property without molestation by any man, be it government or otherwise. There are already laws written and given by the Creator that maintain the proper balance (theres ten of them) between man, and the last five of those laws all pertain to personal property. And if you dont believe we own the sky, have a look at the property rights of the people in Massachusetts.. the law STILL recognizes that the people own the airspace. To clarify, there should be rules to bring order so we all know to drive on the right side of the road and stop when the light is red. But those laws are uninforcable where there is no theft or damage to the property of others. It is this mentality that keep those institutions, which we the people instituted, in check, as it is true that power corrupts and breeds a desire for absolute power which results in absolute corruption.. think about it.
