Jim Sweeney, NAPPF President and USUA Board Member
"Visibility Requirements for Ultralights". The ability to see and be seen while flying is basic to safety. Jim Sweeney walks us through the visibility rules laid out by the FAA for ultralight aircraft. (Part 2) (12/2/03)


Text & Graphics for Sound Clip

Sec. 103.11 - Daylight operations.

(a) No person may operate an ultralight vehicle except between the hours of sunrise and sunset.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, ultralight vehicles may be operated during the twilight periods 30 minutes before official sunrise and 30 minutes after official sunset or, in Alaska, during the period of civil twilight as defined in the Air Almanac, if:

(1) The vehicle is equipped with an operating anticollision light visible for at least 3 statute miles; and

(2) All operations are conducted in uncontrolled airspace.

Sec. 103.21 Visual reference with the surface

No person may operate an ultralight vehicle except by visual reference with the surface.

Sec. 103.23 Flight visibility and cloud clearance requirements

No person may operate an ultralight vehicle when the flight visibility or distance from clouds is less than that in the table found below. All operations in Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D airspace or Class E airspace designated as an airport must receive prior ATC authorization as required in 103.17 of this part.