Wild Nordics

Adventures, Passions, and Surviving Finland

EASA regulation

Europe finally gets 600 kg Ultralights

By on 23/09/2020

16 years after the United States FAA approved 600 kg Light Sport Aircraft, EASA (the European Safety Agency) is finally allowing 600 kg Ultralights which are the equivalent of USA Light Sport Aircraft in Europe. (See this article for more background on the topic) The way regulation works is that EU Member states need to […]

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Ultralight hours can now be used towards EASA PPL SEP Renewal

By on 23/09/2020

After years of lobbying by the aviation community, EASA in 2020 made a concession to allow Ultralight (and Sailplane) to be used towards PPL SEP (and LAPL license) renewals. This is great news for pilots who predominantly fly ultralights. As European pilots know, PPL SEP class renewal needs to be done every 2 years and […]

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EASA PPL vs. LAPL – What license should I get?

By on 20/09/2020

There are cool little two seater aircraft in Europe called Ultralights. If your only intention is to fly them within Europe then save yourself some money and get a LAPL license. If you have poor health and don’t think you will pass a Class 2 medical then consider obtaining a LAPL licence. For all other […]

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Differences in EASA and the FAA approach to Recreational Flying

By on 19/09/2020

Recreational Flying, also known as Sports flying, is a sub category of General Aviation which is more lightly regulated than the rest of General Aviation. The logic is that the the aircraft are lighter and less complicated (not always the case), so therefore the risk should be lower. Generally speaking, Recreational aircraft are uncertified, the […]

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Certified vs. Experimental vs. Ultralight Aircraft – What’s the difference?

By on 08/09/2020

What type of certification an aircraft has matters – it determines how the aircraft must be maintained, where and how it can be flown, and how the hours flown in the aircraft can be logged. Finnish registrations: Left is Certified Aircraft (OH-_ _ _), Center is Experimental  (OH-X_ _), Right is an Ultralight OH-U_ _ […]

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