On 12 Feb 2007 12:08:34 -0800, "DABEAR" wrote:

IIRC, it wasn't "ultralight," but "microlight." The European microlight is
larger than the Part 103 birds... I believe it was a Zenair that won the first
race of the resurrected event.

Interesting...which leads me to four more questions...(sorry G!):

...are all of the seaplane versions of the "Ultralight" considered
"Microlights," how much weight do the floats add to an Ultralight/
Microlight, does the additional weight/drag of floats require a larger
aircraft/engine (versus Ultralight rules) and are Microlights racing
here in the U.S., either Cross Country, or in particular, closed
course over lakes and/or fields?

"Microlight" is a European aircraft definition; it has no validity in the US.
Its closest equivalent is a Light Sport Aircraft.

It's defined in JAR-1, and limits the aircraft to a maximum weight of 495 kg for
a two-seat amphibian or floatplane (vs. 300 kg for a single-seat landplane), a
maximum wing loading, and a stall speed less than 35 knots.

http://www.jaa.nl/publications/jars/500969.pdf

The weight limits are stricter that Light Sport, as is the stall speed
requirement, although there doesn't seem to be a max speed limit.

Ron Wanttaja