What Is an Ultralight Aircraft? No License Required

• March 24, 2026

An ultralight aircraft is the simplest, lightest, and least regulated category of aircraft you can fly in the United States. Under FAA rules, a powered ultralight must weigh less than 254 pounds empty, carry no more than 5 gallons of fuel, and is limited to a single occupant flying for recreation or sport only. You don’t need a pilot’s license, a medical certificate, or even aircraft registration to fly one.

The FAA Definition Under Part 103

The FAA governs ultralights under 14 CFR Part 103, and the rules are remarkably short compared to other aviation regulations. To qualify as an ultralight vehicle, a powered aircraft must meet all four of these limits simultaneously:

• Empty weight: less than 254 pounds (excluding floats and emergency safety devices like a ballistic parachute)

• Fuel capacity: no more than 5 U.S. gallons

• Top speed: no faster than 55 knots (about 63 mph) at full power in level flight

• Stall speed: no higher than 24 knots (about 28 mph) with the engine off

Unpowered ultralights, like foot-launched hang gliders, have an even simpler rule: they just need to weigh less than 155 pounds. In both cases, the aircraft is limited to one person and cannot hold an airworthiness certificate. That last point is key. The FAA does not certify these vehicles as airworthy the way it does with standard airplanes, which means the pilot is entirely responsible for maintaining the aircraft and ensuring it’s safe to fly.

Here are some Good Ultralight aircraft