Ultralight aviation

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, mostly stimulated by the hang gliding movement, many people sought affordable powered flight.

As a result, many aviation authorities set up definitions of lightweight, slow-flying aeroplanes that could be subject to minimum regulations.

[2] In other countries that do not register ultralight aircraft, like in the United States, it is unknown what proportion of the total fleet they make up.

Pilots of a powered, fixed wing aircraft or paramotors do not need a licence, provided its weight with a full fuel tank is not more than 75 kg (165 lb), but they must obey the rules of the air.

Ultralights in New Zealand are subject to NZCAA General Aviation regulations[32] with microlight specific variations as described in Part 103[33] and AC103-1.

[34] The United States FAA's definition of an ultralight is significantly different from that in most other countries and can lead to some confusion when discussing the topic.