Anyone here into flying ultralights? If so please post here with advice and anything else that a beginner may need to know before dumping $25k into one plus lessons. I would like to know as much as I can learn about it before I start this adventure in the summer. THANKS!
http://www.quadcitychallenger.com/qc-mods.html
The Challenger II Special is what I am planning on hopefully.

Is that REALLY what it's named?

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

I have always wanted to learn as well.

I think 25K for lessons is very steep.

There are no FAA regulations AFAIK regarding them.

You can buy some of those damn things for 5K.

Lessons? 25K?

BWAAAAAA!

Maybe Mr Morrison can chime in on this one....

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Enough about me, how are you doing?

$25K for the ultralight, not lessens

I would put 25K into a 152 Cessna, not a flying lawnchair. This butt don't leave the ground in anything that's not certified.

I'd think there are ultralights to be had for much less than 25k.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

I can buy a flyable certified airplane for under $15K. $25K for an ultralight seems unreasonable to me. I admit that it is partially that I am showing my age. Most prices today seem unreasonable to me.

There was a recent thread here about how to fly on the cheap. Recap: $15K plane, pass on the insurance, financing, etc. Make sure the plane you buy doesn't need an engine and sell it before it does. Take lessons until you solo and then fly your own plane all that you want, license optional. To save some bucks, find an instructor who owns his own plane and runs it on auto fuel.

Your early flying experience will be low and slow and really just a fun way to burn a bunch of fuel. General aviation as transportation is economically inefficient. Treat it as an expensive hobby.

If you want a license read the regs (FAR/AIM) and find out exactly what you need to do to get one.

The ultralights I flew years ago are available for $1500+.

My favorite current toy is a snowmobile and the snow didn't cooperate this year.

They ain't light when the pilot doesn't control wing loading and the entire thing hits the ground in pieces.

Get a real aircraft. Join a partnership. You might get lucky with a partnership that includes a CFI.

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Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

I went to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach back in the early 80s. I had a Quicksilver MX. I logged about 150 hours in it before I sold it. What you’re looking into is miles ahead of what I had. Like Twitch said, about 1500.00 got me mine.

First off. Congratulations on wanting to fly. You’re about to be bit by a bug!
But - Why a Challenger? Have you seen/flown the CGS Hawk? Others?

Yes, they do have FAA regulations. And plenty of them. Start at the FAA web page and start reading all the FAR/AIM info available. After you shell out the money is not the time to learn bad news about when/where/how/who can fly ultralights.

Have you got a good IP? Is that part of the cost? Seems you can get a C-II for around 17K. Why the 25K?
Trailer? Good idea. But then you can also get a Cessna 150/152 these days for less than 25K. Hope you’re not thinking this will let you fly without a license (?) It won’t. But it is without ramp and hangar fees.

If you’re for sure into the ultralight thing, fine. Just cover all the bases before the money starts flowing. Like someone else here said. It’s an expensive hobby.

As for advise - there’s plenty here, but I’ll stick to some basics. If you learn nothing else from these posts, try to remember this:

1. Take-offs are optional. Landings are mandatory.
2. A BRS (ballistic recovery system) is a must have item. Don’t leave the ground without one installed.
3. Take-offs are optional. Landings are mandatory.
4. Overhead propellers means high center of thrust. High center of thrust means the nose goes UP when the power is cut (unlike your traditional fixed wing aircraft). Nose up on a power cut means a good chance for a stall when you think you’re low enough to cut power and land. That means broken bones and bloodshed.
5. Take-offs are optional. Landings are mandatory.
6. Don’t skimp on anything. Anything over 15’ and 5mph is a bad time to learn you shouldn’t have gone with the cheap fuel filter, etc.
7. Long sleeves are a must. No matter how hot it is out, windburn sucks worse. (I think you’ll have a windscreen though on the C-II)
8. Did I mention: Take-offs are optional. Landings are mandatory.

Is this Mr. Morrison guy from the DFW area? I think I owe his son a ride in the 675.

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

Howdy All,
And replace all divots :-)

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Frank X. Morris
17 Kia Niro
08 Jeep Wrangler 4 door unlimited

No! Don't listen to these naysayers! Get the cheapest aircraft you can find. Don't waste you're money on stupid lessons. How smart do you have to be to imitate a stupid bird anyway, right? Heck, just build you're own. Get two kites, strap them on your arms and jump off a 30 story building. I do it all the time! It's COMPLETLY safe! And remember, only sissys wear crash helmets!!

Did you not think I'd see that?

IIRC, there were a couple of fellows who only wanted to learn to fly; not interested in takeoffs, OR landings. They are no longer with us.

Well actually, it's the "Take-offs are optional" part that requires the thinking. That's the part most pilots miss and get into trouble with.

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

Ok. I feel better now. Hehe.