Federal statutory table · Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 103
All 13 sections of FAA 14 CFR Part 103 (Ultralight Vehicles) explained
14 CFR §§ 103.1 – 103.2314 CFR § 103.1Mandatory vehicle qualification
Applicability (5-Point Ultralight Vehicle Definition)
Defines an ultralight vehicle as an aircraft that: (a) is used or intended for manned operation by a single occupant; (b) is used or intended for recreation or sport purposes only; (c) does not have any U.S. or foreign airworthiness certificate; (d) if powered, weighs less than 254 lbs (115 kg) empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices intended for deployment in a potentially catastrophic situation (ballistic parachute & airbags); has fuel capacity ≤ 5 U.S. gallons (or electric battery energy storage); has max level flight speed ≤ 55 knots CAS (63 mph); and has power-off stall speed ≤ 24 knots CAS (28 mph).
14 CFR § 103.3Allow FAA inspection on request
Inspection Requirements
Any person operating an ultralight vehicle under Part 103 must, upon request, allow the FAA Administrator or designee to inspect the vehicle to determine whether it is in compliance with Part 103 weight and performance limits.
14 CFR § 103.5Written FAA waiver for deviations
Waivers
No person may conduct operations that require a deviation from Part 103 rules except under a written waiver issued by the FAA Administrator.
14 CFR § 103.7No license, no medical, no registration
Certification and Registration Exemptions
(a) Ultralight vehicles and their component parts are not required to meet airworthiness certification standards; (b) Operators are not required to meet any aeronautical knowledge, age, or experience requirements or to have airman or medical certificates; (c) Ultralight vehicles are not required to be registered or to bear N-number markings of any type.
14 CFR § 103.9Zero hazard to persons or property
Hazardous Operations & Dropping Objects
(a) No person may operate any ultralight vehicle in a manner that creates a hazard to other persons or property. (b) No person may allow an object to be dropped from an ultralight vehicle if such action creates a hazard to other persons or property.
14 CFR § 103.11Sunrise–sunset (+30 min twilight w/ 3-SM strobe)
Daylight Operations & Civil Twilight Anti-Collision Light
(a) No person may operate an ultralight vehicle except between the hours of sunrise and sunset. (b) Ultralights may be operated during the twilight periods 30 minutes before official sunrise and 30 minutes after official sunset only if: (1) equipped with an operating anti-collision light visible for at least 3 statute miles, and (2) operated solely in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace.
14 CFR § 103.13See & avoid; yield to all aircraft
Operation Near Aircraft; Right-of-Way Rules
(a) Each operator must maintain vigilance so as to see and avoid aircraft and must yield the right-of-way to all certificated aircraft. (b) No person may operate in a manner that creates a collision hazard with any aircraft. (c) Powered ultralights must yield the right-of-way to unpowered ultralights.
14 CFR § 103.15Strictly prohibited over cities/crowds
Operations Over Congested Areas
No person may operate an ultralight vehicle over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open-air assembly of persons.
14 CFR § 103.17Class G free; ATC auth for Class A/B/C/D/E
Operations in Certain Airspace
No person may operate an ultralight vehicle within Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from the ATC facility having jurisdiction over that airspace.
14 CFR § 103.19Controlling agency permission required
Operations in Prohibited or Restricted Areas
No person may operate an ultralight vehicle in prohibited or restricted areas unless permission has been obtained from the using or controlling agency, as applicable.
14 CFR § 103.20Comply with all active TFRs & NOTAMs
Flight Restrictions in Proximity of NOTAM / TFR Areas
No person may operate an ultralight vehicle in areas designated in a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM / TFR) under § 91.137 (disaster/wildfire), § 91.138, § 91.141 (Presidential/VIP), § 91.143 (space flight), or § 91.145 (aerial demonstrations/stadiums) unless authorized by ATC.
14 CFR § 103.21Continuous ground visual contact
Visual Reference with the Surface
No person may operate an ultralight vehicle except by visual reference with the surface.
14 CFR § 103.231–5 SM visibility & cloud separation
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 specified in the official § 103.23 table (minimum 1 statute mile visibility and clear of clouds in Class G ≤ 1,200 ft AGL; 3 SM visibility and 500 ft below / 1,000 ft above / 2,000 ft horizontal in controlled airspace below 10,000 ft MSL).
