By Jenna Rose, EAA 1576771

This piece originally ran in the December 2025 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine.

Like many people, I spent many years dreaming about taking part in the world of aviation before I ever laid my hands on the controls of an airplane. After assessing my options, I became interested in ultralight aviation.

In spite of the wonderful bells and whistles available on larger airplanes, I found something romantic in the more simplistic and stripped-down flying offered by the featherweight falcons that are ultralight air vehicles.

There are many things that pushed me toward ultralight aviation, and I would like to share a few of them. First and foremost, the thing that drew me to ultralight aviation was the concept that it was something I could do.

I have a little bit of experience building things, though nothing particularly special. However, I could look at a set of ultralight plans, and I could begin to see how I could build it. I laid awake many nights imagining building and flying my own airplane, perhaps even my own design. Even with my newbie knowledge, shoestring budget, and a handful of tools, I could create a machine in which I could truly soar.

Due to life circumstances, I bought my first airplane. While I do still plan on someday building my own, the idea of doing-it-yourself extends beyond just building, and into maintenance and inspection. Under FAA Part 103, everything from simple maintenance and preflight inspections up to major changes and teardowns are your responsibility, and you can do them yourself. However, like many things in aviation, it doesn’t hurt to ask for help from someone with more experience. Nevertheless, if you are a serious DIYer, ultralights are the way to go.

The second thing that made me fall in love with the lighter side of flight is that it is almost like stepping back to the birth of modern aviation and flying with those pioneers. As I like to say, “In an ultralight, you have everything you need to fly, and nothing extra.” Ultralight aircraft are the epitome of stick-and-rudder flying.

Aside from a modern flight app on my cellphone, I don’t have anything in my airplane that wasn’t available 100 years ago. There’s something beautiful about knowing that you are as connected to the sensation of flight as possible. While flying in closed cockpits with noise-cancelling headphones and autopilot is another cool way to fly, it is distinctly different from being in the wind.

Another reason many people are drawn to the low and slow side of aviation is that the restrictions and requirements are more accessible than heavier and more expensive forms of flight. Under Part 103, pilots have fewer requirements to show the government that they are well enough and educated enough to fly, and have much more responsibility to prove that to themselves.

I’m often asked if a person must have training to fly an ultralight. My go-to answer is that the government doesn’t require it, but the individual pilot should. However, the lack of medical checks and licensing are a big draw for pilots with limited incomes, GA-disqualifying medical issues, and older pilots who dislike modern regulations.

Speaking of low and slow, one cool thing about flying smaller airplanes is that they are typically not as fast as their light-sport aircraft and GA counterparts, which gives more time to really pause and soak in the environment when flying. Instead of blurred lines zooming past, you can watch things happening on the ground that you could never see at faster speeds. Sometimes I even get the opportunity to wave at folks on the ground! As far as I’m concerned, there’s no better way to get to know your neighborhood than by flying around it and taking in the scenery.

Perhaps the most influential appeal of flying ultralights is also one of my favorites. It is affordable. At least, it is much more affordable than the cost of flying even light-sport aircraft and small GA airplanes. The airplane I fly, a Legal Eagle XL, is a full-fledged three-axis airplane with tons of spirit and spunk. Yet, in spite of all the things it has to offer, it is much more affordable to buy or operate than any registered airplane even slightly larger. Sipping 100LL fuel at a maximum of about 3 gph is affordable for many, even when the budget is a bit tighter.

Doing my own maintenance means I don’t have to pay expensive mechanics. Transport of many ultralight airplanes is as simple as pulling the wings and loading onto a trailer. That’s much cheaper than paying a specialized transport company. Due to its small size, shared hangars often offer discounted rates. It’s a lot like drinking champagne on a seltzer water salary.

One thing I find rather exciting about flying ultralight aircraft is the aspect of community. I’ve recently begun exploring some of the ultralight-specific groups, both online and in-person, and I’ve found a wealth of not only knowledge but also passion. There are clubs that are specific to ultralights and ultralight pilots, as well as many online groups from around the world that are devoted to small airplanes. These communities are unique resources that are made up of people from all walks of life. The amount that can be learned is immense, and that pales in comparison to the friends one can make.

There are many reasons to fly ultralights, and I’m discovering new reasons all the time. I love that ultralight flying is an attainable goal in terms of personal ability to build and maintain the aircraft, the ability to fulfill the governmental regulations, and the ability to budget for my aviation adventures.

I love that I can disassemble and transport my airplane by myself, or with a little help from my friends. Overall, I have always found a mystique particular to smaller airplanes, and the sensation of flying out in the world all by myself.

Jenna Rose, EAA 1576771, is a self-taught pilot with a love for ultralight aviation. Her aviation adventure started when she traded her motorcycle for an airplane, and now she loves sharing her experiences.