by gdewsbury » Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:28 am
The featured aircraft hasn't been descided for 2005. Any suggestions? 2004 was the Beaver & 2003 was our favorite Lazair. It has already been descided to repeat the recurrency seminars. A Canadian requirement for all pilots. Looks like we may include an Utralight Instructor course to be completed at next years Anual General Meeting in August. Details are still in the works. Let us know if you are interested. There will be more seminars like the ones we had this year like 'weight & balance', 'aircraft covering', 'aircraft & engine maintenace', 'welding' as well as 'safety seminars'.
Canadian Ultra light Pilots require a permit (not a licence) with a self declared medical. No passengers allowed except for training with an instructor or when 2 pilots fly together. Advanced Utralights may carry a passenger if the pilot has a recreational licence or higher and all the airplane papers are in place and valid. Modifications with out the manufacturers written acceptance negates the Advanced standing. Basic Ultralights them selves are in the self maintained catagory. That's up to 1200 pounds gross weight.
The US sport Pilot rules have generated quite a bit of discussion up here. The opinions on wether to adopt a similar category in Canada are quite varied. Some manufacturers are in favour since a lot of their market is in the US and this would give them comonality. Some ultralight pilots are not in favor. They are concerned that there will be an increase in regulation all round if the weights go up to Sport Catagory. As the splat factor increases and people start thinking about passengers Transport Canada gets nervus and starts looking at increased regulation for safety of the general public.
I would be interested in hearing the thoughts of other Canadian Ultralight Pilots on this topic.
Glen Dewsbury
UPAC Board of Directors