How To Convert Your Ultralight To A Light Sport Aircraft (UPDATED 5-7-11)

A follower of the HoneyBee G2™ Blog wrote a great question I thought every Ultralight enthusiast should read.

Here is their question:

"If I had an Ultralight, can it be upgraded? For instance, if I wanted to add fuel tanks or upgrade the engine and register it as experimental further down the road. Can it be upgraded to practically a Microlight"?

Speaking to the capabilities of the Ultralight HoneyBee G2™ airframe, the airframe itself can carry additional fuel via an additional tank with very little effort. The original fuel sender will automatically compensate for this addition. If however the builder wants to increase the horsepower to 60HP the frame can handle it. NOTE: The HP was raised from the originally stated 52HP. I do believe that an Ultralight HoneyBee G2™ that is converted to an N-Numbered aircraft later would be an absolute "gas" (no pun intended) to own and fly so I am supportive of this later conversion for those that want to go this direction.

After speaking with those that know the regulations...

• John Golda, Grand Rapids, FAA-FSDO
• Tom Taylor, President, PRA #32, BARUC, my FAA Regulation Liaison

...here is what they provided to me:  

________________________________

“ORIGINALLY OWNED” ULTRALIGHT CONVERTION TO 

LIGHT SPORT/EXPERIMENTAL-AB PROCEDURES

By following these simple steps, an Ultralight Aircraft can be built and flown as a Part 103 Ultralight and later upgraded to a Light Sport Aircraft.  This is great news for all of the Ultralight builders.

An Ultralight Aircraft can be built and flown as an Ultralight then upgraded to qualify for Light Sport by registering it as an “Amateur Built - Experimental” as long as the following items exist.

  1. - Kit - qualifies for the 51% Rule

  2. - Sales Invoice - received from Manufacturer at purchase

  3. - FAA Bill of Sale - received from Manufacturer at purchase

  4. - Maintain Construction Log with Photos

  5. - Individual must be Original Purchaser and Original Builder

Aircraft can then be upgraded and still qualify for Light Sport at Owners discretion by following the existing  “Amateur Built - Experimental” certification process.

NOTE:    Once Registration Application is applied for, the aircraft is temporarily grounded until final FAA Inspection is completed.

In closing, great question, great answer! 


Updated: February 3, 2011. My original response was too long. The basic answer is "yes it can be done following these simple steps" (listed above) and the normal published registration proceedures from the FAA

Go Ultralights!

Jim