Is there any “real” structural difference between the UL and the VLA-LSA category in modern factory made EU aircraft ? Is it only that “legaly” once you grow fat or fill-up the tanks you jump to the next category ?
Can anyone summarise the various categories? I know for example that below 1200kg can be ELA1 on which all maintenance can be done by a freelance EASA66 engineer.
While the compromise on the 600kg stops short of our initial position, which called for all aircraft up to 600kg to be regulated nationally, it is a good and workable compromise
He meant opt out from 600kg? yes it’s not a restriction if you fly ULM in France and happy with…if you are visiting with some “600kg ULM” it’s a restriction as you can’t cut some weight
„Central government“ (EASA) is trying to clean up the mess that is UL. France’s sport flyer associations fear this will bring regulatory burden, so France opted out of 600kg UL (they have 500kg). And voilà, France‘s differing rules automatically prohibit the acceptance of 600kg foreign ULs.
Przemek, why not make it an experimental? You can have it all – night, ifr, whatnot, raise the MTOW to 600kg, and being ELA1 owner maintenance should be a non-issue.
I am still researching this, but it appears that in Poland the “experimental” category would work, albeit it might be limited to 600kg MTOW making it better than UL but useless for getting an Evo.
Thank you! I’m a SkyDemon user too and was surprised by the number of these unregistered airfields. Unfortunately I’m not ultralight enough to fly one of these but maybe the newer 600kg-UL regime arrived in Italy too .
Juozas wrote: I have made my personal test with Bristell 915is RG MTOW 600kg. Thank you! Still not quite as fast as the WT9, but these figures make more sense.
ASW22 wrote: It wouldn’t be an LSA. The MTOW of the UL would be upgraded to 500-600 kg (still open). Got it – my bad. …and how would the difference between certified LSA (600kg) and an uncertified ULM (600kg) be justified ? In particular, ex-post for existing frames ? Not specifically to you, just wondering.