What Can be Flown without a Licence

[SystemParanoia]

What manned craft can be flown in the uk without a licence...

i.e .. buy and fly ( then die if you've had no training )

i was just making up a mental list in my head really


Paraglider/Paramotors



Hang Gliders / FLPHG



The Martin Personal Jetpack ( ducted fan )



Personal Helicopter pack



Wing In Ground effect Craft ( Classed as boats )









so... is there anything else?

Edited by SystemParanoia on Tuesday 19th October 16:44

[andytk]

SystemParanoia said:

What manned craft can be flown in the uk without a licence...


The Martin Personal Jetpack ( ducted fan )

Really????

ditto for the mini helo, how are these things licence exempt? Under what rules? (that they don't actually fly worth a cr*p?)

Andy

[SystemParanoia]

well, the helo, and the jet pack im presuming are flyable without a licence, as they're just backpacks.. not actually aircraft?

[Eric Mc]

Dream on.

As far as I know, every flyable machine flying in the UK must have received some form of Certificate of Airworthiness.

And the pilots must be licenced too.

[SystemParanoia]

would a combo paramotor backpack with Autogyro attachment ( worn with roller blades ) qualify for licence free flying?

[SystemParanoia]

Eric Mc said:

Dream on.

As far as I know, every flyable machine flying in the UK must have received some form of Certificate of Airworthiness.

And the pilots must be licenced too.

so i cant just buy a paraglider off ebay and just go fly?

[Eric Mc]

Not without breaking the law (not to mention your neck).

[TheEnd]

Apart from the Wiggy boat, I'd probably be avoiding most of that stuff even with training!

[SystemParanoia]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXm3r-2-iWU

these guys did it... eventually went really bloomin high... scary high considering it was their first time flying.


what laws have they broken?

[Eric Mc]

What country were they in?

What country are you in?

[strudel]

I think gliding doesn't technically need a licence if not going cross country, happy to be corrected though.

[SystemParanoia]

Eric Mc said:

What country were they in?

What country are you in?

looked at some of his earlier vids... they're in the UK... as am I


Edit : looked in the comments.. apparently they're in Wiltshire

Edited by SystemParanoia on Tuesday 19th October 17:41

[hidetheelephants]

WIGs are legally boats, so no licence needed. The CAA will doubtless change their minds if sales of WIGs occur in any significant number.

[Eric Mc]

SystemParanoia said:

Eric Mc said:

What country were they in?

What country are you in?

looked at some of his earlier vids... they're in the UK... as am I

Nothing to stop you if you really want to. I'm sure you'll sooner or later have a run in with the authorities - either in the form of a summons or a trip in an air ambulance.

[SystemParanoia]

some WIG types have the ability to "Jump" out of Ground effect to substantial hights for prolonged periods...

is this illegal if you don't hold a PPL ?

[Eric Mc]

SystemParanoia said:

some WIG types have the ability to "Jump" out of Ground effect to substantial hights for prolonged periods...

is this illegal if you don't hold a PPL ?

Where are reading all this stuff? If a WIG can "jump" (is that a technical term)out of Ground Effect, it's not a WIG vehicle anymore and would require certification like a normal aircraft.

Just get on to the CAA website and find out what needs certifying and what doesn't.

I'm sure some of the PH flying fraternity will be on soon to sort you out with the facts.

[SystemParanoia]

From Wiki

1. Type A cannot operate out of ground effect.

2. Type B can jump to clear obstacles by converting kinetic energy (speed) into potential energy (height), but cannot maintain flight without the support of the ground effect.

3. Type C are certified as aircraft, with the ability to operate safely and efficiently out of ground effect.

Edited by SystemParanoia on Tuesday 19th October 17:38

[Eric Mc]

SystemParanoia said:

From Wiki

1. Type A cannot operate out of ground effect.

2. Type B can jump to clear obstacles by converting kinetic energy (speed) into potential energy (height), but cannot maintain flight without the support of the ground effect.

3. Type C are certified as aircraft, with the ability to operate safely and efficiently out of ground effect.

Edited by SystemParanoia on Tuesday 19th October 17:38

Type A and B are therfore correctly described as WIG and would be covered by whatever regulations apply to them.

Type C are true aircraft and would be certified accoprding tio aircraft rules.

[SystemParanoia]

Eric Mc said:

SystemParanoia said:

Eric Mc said:

What country were they in?

What country are you in?

looked at some of his earlier vids... they're in the UK... as am I

Nothing to stop you if you really want to. I'm sure you'll sooner or later have a run in with the authorities - either in the form of a summons or a trip in an air ambulance.

would it be the police? or some dark suited Mi6 type figure?

i would really not do any of these without training like those kids in the vid!... as fun as a helicopter ride would be, and as nice and helpful as i presume the crew are... i'd rather not ever meet them

[Eric Mc]

Most unauthorised flying is reported by upset neighbours. They get fed up with the noise or are genuinely worried for the safety of the protagonists.

Like any offence, you might get away with it if no one reports you. On the other hand, if you do crash or have an accident in a spot where no one knows where you are, you could be in big trouble.

It's a bit of an idiot thing to do.

If you are so keen to fly, why not do it through legitimate channels?