How safe are ultralight aircraft?

Answer 1

I've got around 400hrs in microlights. Great fun!
There are good designs and rather poor designs but most accidents come down to either poor piloting or poor maintenance. These are NOT airborn motorcylcles. They are very vulnerable to weather, poor handling and shoddy maintenance/construction.
In Canada there is UPAC and in the States there is EAA. Both organizations can provide a wealth of information on microlights.
If I were getting back into microlight flying, I'd be looking at types that are full 3 axis control, full wing spar (as opposed to braced wire construction) semi-enclosed cockpit and four stroke motor.
It's a great way to get into flying on the cheap...but caveat emptor..and don't believe any crap about not needing training...these things have such a small flight envelope that you are more often on the 'ragged edge' than you would ever be say in a C172.

Answer 2

I'm not sure what kind or airplanes the previous responses are referring to, but in the USA, ultralights are single-seat aircraft, operated by unlicensed, amateur pilots. They do not carry passengers. I also doubt that anyone could reasonably attempt to document "Millions of hours" of safe operation. While some ultralight manufacturers do offer ballistic recovery parachutes as optional accessories, most ultralight aircraft do not have them.

There are no real statistics on Ultralight aircraft safety in the USA because they are not really considered to be airplanes, and the FAA doesn't investigate or report on ultralight crashes.

Like any other craft that is designed to leave the ground under its own power, an ultralight aircraft is only as safe as the pilot makes it. I have heard of several incidents where an ultralight aircraft failed in flight due to poor owner maintenance, or due to the pilot attempting maneuvers that were beyond the design and structural capabilities of the craft. I have also seen ultralight aircraft do amazing things at the hands of an experienced pilot.

Answer 3

Assuming you are interested in one:

Very safe. There have only been a few hundred crashes out of millions of hours logged. They have Rocket deployed parachute available, and are pretty common.
The integrity of ultralights is rarely compromised, so rarely that less than 10% of crashes are from any part of the aircraft coming off. the majority are inexperienced pilot hitting objects after engine failure.
Even in an emergency landing, as long as a pilot doesnt let the aircraft hit anything solid everyone will survive. Even if the aircraft lands in a swamp or forest, the wings and landing gear sacrifice themselves to save the occupants. The most deadly thing that can happen is actaully the pilot's fault. On touchdown, if a wing strikes the ground, the occupant are more likely to die than in any other crash. That is only common in a power off landing, when a pilot stalls and the lower of the wings makes contact.

It is far safer than driving a car. and can be alot of fun for teens who have had instuction from a pilot, but arent old enough to actually take the license test.

Answer 4

Safest Ultralight

Answer 5

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Statistically, ultralight aircraft are about as safe as motorcycles, which are less safe than cars. The safety depends more on the pilot's judgment, and less on random factors (like the idiot in the SUV running a stop sign), than a motorcycle. Most ultralight accidents (indeed most airplane accidents, period) are caused by pilot error. You have to decide for yourself whether the risk outweighs the rewards of flying it. Quicksilver is a good solid airplane. The one you linked to is a single seater, though; you'd have to take flying lessons in a 2 seater before being able to fly it.

Answer 6

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RE:
How safe are ultralight aircraft?

Answer 7

safe ultralight aircraft

Answer 8

When properly maintained and operated by a trained professional they are as safe as any other aircraft.

Answer 9

Since most aircraft accidents are due to pilot error, the aircraft is only as safe as the pilot.

Answer 10

They are safe if maintained and inspected properly. There is a parachute on the market for catastrophic in air mishaps.