Backcountry Pilot

[Supercubber offline]

Is it still possible to certify a Quicksilver ultralight and receive a registration, airworthiness certificate and n#?
Has anyone done this and how much of a hassle was it?

[Zzz]

I don't believe so. AFAIK, the factory never got a type certificate, so the only option for Part 91 ops is registering Experimental.

That's an issue with the 2-seat Quicksilver that we own. It's not registered experimental, and to register as LSA we would need to dismantle it and document the "build" process to qualify. Currently, it's operated Part 103, however, even with a PPL, I can't take a passenger unless I have a USUA issued "Basic Flight Instructor" license. I think even that loophole is going to be deprecated by the Sport Pilot certificate.

[AvidFlyer offline]

Zane you are correct the expemption runs out next year sometime. We have the same problem with the Powered Parachutes. They have big placards "For instuctional use only" on the 2 place ones. Fortunately they are pretty easy to N number and there are already a handful of Sport Pilot rated guys flying N numbered parachutes... pretty wild really.. getting a checkride and using a checklist in an ultralight is just plain wrong!!!

[Zzz]

getting a checkride and using a checklist in an ultralight is just plain wrong!!!

Nah, it's just the proper way to do things, and it's good that people are finally being taught procedures like Private pilots. I've ranted on this before, but I feel like for a certain mentality of pilot, Part 103 ops are appealing not because they're fun aircraft, but solely because it's a short, easy road to flying that requires little instruction.

I was a Part 103 pilot long before getting my Private, and later on realized how much I did not know (still don't know shit) and how dangerous I was. Imagine how many cowboys just jump in the seat of their snowmobile-engine powered cattlechasers and go, with little knowledge of regs and common safety axioms. Having a BFI is different, at least that follows somewhat of a standard curriculum for training and an FAA test (even if it's only the Fundamentals of Instruction.)

I know you're just kidding around, but I had to take another opportunity to rant.