So this elderly gentleman....

[mhorowit]

...makes the mistake of failing his medical. If he had just not taken the medical, he could have gotta away with his driver's license.

I told him I thought he might be able to go the ultralight road and he disagreed. I told him I'd ask around. So ...

Do you need a medical to fly an ultralight? - Mike

[Victor Gisclair]

Re: So this elderly gentleman....

Not at this time Mike.

[M Towsley]

Re: So this elderly gentleman....

Mike,

If I remember correctly ultralight pilots have until January 31, 2007 to transition to a Sport Pilot license. I also believe there may ultimately be a medical special issuance type Sport Pilot license somewhere down the road. Go to the USUA and/or EAA websites and you may find the answer there. Don't count on your local FSDO to know the answer, yet.

[Dano"T"]

Re: So this elderly gentleman....

If you have MS Word...Read This attachment on the Sport Pilot Medical.

[selje]

Re: So this elderly gentleman....

Looking at the original post - No medical or certificate is required to fly a true part 103 ultralight. Part 103 was not changed by the Sport Pilot rules. Those with the "fat" read illegal and two place exemption instructional vehicles can transition to sport pilot and experimental light sports aircraft rules until a specified date.

Presently, if he failed his last FAA medical, he can not fly as a sport pilot.

This is the reason that I decided to not renew my medical last January and fly under the sport pilot rules.

[M Towsley]

Re: So this elderly gentleman....

Thanks Jerry, I remember that now. I did not pay that close attention to the ultralight part as it did not pertain to what I was doing at that time.

[Victor Gisclair]

Re: So this elderly gentleman....

Mike some states require you to have an ultralight certificate, Louisiana is one of them. As far as I know the parts 103 will not be change for a true ultralight. Only the heavy ones and the two place will be required to go to sport pilot as Jerry said. You do not have to have a medical or driver License to fly a true Parts 103 ultralight.

[VictorBravo]

Re: So this elderly gentleman....

You do not need a medical to fly a glider either.

Sailplane flying is every bit as exciting, challenging and adrenaline pumping as any powered flying. In another lifetime I was lucky enough to be a sailplane racer and speed record holder. I flew with test pilots, WW2 combat pilots, current and former military, and big league civilian pilots.

Racing down the ridgeline of the Sierra Nevada mountains on pure oxygen, dolphining in and out of 14,000 foot canyons over pristine granite boulders and needle sharp pine trees, dragging your wingtips through cumulus clouds, at 120 miles an hour, flying 600+ miles on the power of the sun...believe me it is quite the rush.

There are even self-launching gliders that make fairly efficient cross country powerplanes. Have your friend look into it, www.ssa.org

Bill

[alwaysoar]

Re: So this elderly gentleman....

I couldn't agree more about sailplane flying. I flew for fifteen years for a glider operation in VT, giving rides, instructing, towing. The most exciting flying I have ever done (this side of southeast asia) is flying gliders. And once you get the rating, and buy a glider (about the cost of a TCraft, or less, will get you in a pretty good glider), you can fly for almost nothing! So Ultralite and LSA are not the only options. (I have a balloon license too--forget that, absolutely terrifying!)

Ed @ BTV VT
TF 527

[Doc]

Re: So this elderly gentleman....

Hello: Don't mean to burst bubbles, but any medical condition that would preclude you from being eligible for an FAA medical certificate also precludes you from self-certification on a driver's license. Talk with your AME if you have a medical condition that may be a problem. He/she is usually helpful and sympathetic to your needs. There is a medical "special issuance" process for the sports category that is in place at this time. Your AME hould be able to get information to you. Doc (Senior AME)

[Doc]

Re: So this elderly gentleman....

Hello: Don't mean to burst bubbles, but any medical condition that would preclude you from being eligible for an FAA medical certificate also precludes you from self-certification on a driver's license. Talk with your AME if you have a medical condition that may be a problem. He/she is usually helpful and sympathetic to your needs. There is a medical "special issuance" process for the sports category that is in place at this time. Your AME should be able to get information to you. Doc (Senior AME)