Logging Ultralight Time?

[Eric]

I'm a CFI as well as an ultralight instructor. I don't have enough airplane students to keep me busy, so the ultralight helps pad the income. (not only that, it's a great time!)

I aspire to sit in an airline cockpit and was wondering if my dual given and general flight time in an ultralight registered with the EAA (it has an 'E' # instead of an N #) is worth anything.

I'm currently keeping two separate log books.

I would appreciate any opinions, facts, speculation, etc. It is 3 axis, stick and rudder flying as well as a good experience (in my opinion) instructing and relating to people, but I'm hesitant to walk into an interview and tell them about all of my time in a Quicksilver

Thanks,
Eric

 

[avbug]

Eric,

Your experience in the ultralight aircraft is certainly valueable, but not toward employment, or any certificate or rating. It's experience that presents you with an additional insight into flying an airplane that many pilots won't have. This isvalueable personaly, but will have limited application for record keeping purposes.

You are doing the correct thing by keeping separate logbooks. You could also keep it in the same logbook, but keep it in one column in the log. If you choose to go that route, be sure to keep any ultralight time (better classified as noncertificated or perhaps experimental) out of any other totals.

Adding your ultralight time to pilot time in certified and registered airplanes would be certainly construed as padding your logbook, and will backfire.

Aside from the regulatory issues, you must also consider the public perception of the ultralight. While many modern ultralights have become sophisticated with respect to design and materials, and require the same basic stick and rudder skills, they are perceived as being motorized hang gliders (a myth quickly dispelled by anyone who has seen the price tag). Perception is intuitive and unspoken, and you probably won't get the chance to explain yourself...people will make assumptions and never voice them.

Flying an ultralight gives you experience with limited performance, requiring you to plan ahead, to react quickly to changing conditions. It's a bit different, as you know, to flying a heavier airplane. One cannot learn in an ultralight, and jump into a Cessna 172 without additional training and experience, any more than one could learn in a 172 and then go jump into an ultralight.

The short answer is no...don't use the ultralight time, and keep it clearly separate from your pilot time, as you are already doing.

 

[Sctt@NJA]

Even if you can't log the time I am sure the experience is valuable.

When I interviewed at NJA the most interest the interviewers took was in my time with Lake amphibians and an Aeronca Champ. I am sure they were happy I had ce-500 time, but they were excited by the more unusual experience.

Put it on your resume if nothing else. Real pilots love that stuff.

 

[Northpilot]

Ultralight time in Canada

Just a point of interest in Canada you can use up to fifty hours of ultralight time towards your Canadian ATPL licence. Also you can use fifty hours of glider time towards to your ATPL. I have logged Ultralight time in my logbook as part of my total.

 

[CatYaaak]

Re: Ultralight time in Canada

Just a point of interest in Canada you can use up to fifty hours of ultralight time towards your Canadian ATPL licence. Also you can use fifty hours of glider time towards to your ATPL. I have logged Ultralight time in my logbook as part of my total.

Canadians! They are always coming up with something that catches your eye. First Labatt's, then my girlfriend, and now this! What will those hockey nuts think of next?

 

[avbug]

The Canadians are off the hook. They've already given us Alanis, and that's enough.