| Buying an ultralight airplane is like buying | | | | - Used fixed wings can be found for $10,000 |
| a new car. It can be expensive or cheap, it | | | | or even less, but better don't buy cheaper |
| can be great experience or great failure, it | | | | than $10,000 |
| can bring you a lot of joy and happiness or | | | | |
| unpleasant and dangerous accidents. It's not | | | | - The new ultralight trikes (fixed wing |
| like buying a hamburger, so don't do it when | | | | airplanes) start from $10,000 and usually go |
| you are hungry. | | | | up to $30,000 |
| | | | |
| There are many important decisions that you | | | | - You can find used ultralight trike for |
| must take before buying an ultralight | | | | $5,000 or even less |
| aircraft. Of course the price is important, | | | | |
| but there are more - what model to be, used | | | | - A powered paraglider can be built or bought |
| or new, fixed or flex wing, where to buy it | | | | for $2,500 (if you find someone selling such |
| from and so on. This article will try to give | | | | - it's a rare chance). |
| you some basic directions for taking this | | | | |
| important step. | | | | As you see, there are opportunities for |
| | | | everyone. Just make sure that what you buy is |
| Choosing the right type | | | | safe. Your life costs more than any amount of |
| | | | money. |
| If you have decided to buy an ultralight | | | | |
| airplane you probably have your preferences. | | | | Additional factors to consider |
| The main choice you'll need to make is either | | | | |
| to buy a fixed wing or a flex wing aircraft. | | | | Your safety is the most important and it's |
| The flex wings have a lot of advantages like | | | | not enough to ensure that your ultralight |
| lower cost, taking less space, being able to | | | | airplane is not broken. You do need a |
| take off from an automobile road etc. On the | | | | parachute system. This can add $2,000 to the |
| other hand, if you want to have a real | | | | costs, but can save your life. Sometimes |
| airplane with pilot's cabine, professional | | | | (especially with the trikes or powered |
| devices and all that, and to use it for more | | | | paragliders) you need a helmet too. |
| than just fun, you'll have to choose a fixed | | | | |
| wing. You can search the Web for my article | | | | When buying an ultralight aircraft, you also |
| Flex Wing Vs. Fixed Wing Ultralight Airplanes | | | | need to know in what license category it |
| if you want to learn more about the | | | | falls for your country. The regulations are |
| advantages and disadvantages of these two | | | | different and you need to ensure that you |
| types. | | | | will be able to fly in your area. |
| | | | |
| In addition to this, you may want to take a | | | | Hangaring your airplane also can cost you a |
| look at the ultralight seaplanes, the gliders | | | | lot of money and nerves. If you don't have a |
| or the powered paragliders. You could miss | | | | good place on your own or there is no airport |
| something pretty cool just because you don't | | | | hangar close to you, maybe you should think |
| know about it. So, study more about the types | | | | about buying a trike which can stay in your |
| of ultralight airplanes before making your | | | | car garage. |
| choice. You can find a lot of information | | | | |
| about them at | | | | Where to search? |
| | | | |
| Used or New? | | | | Of course the best option is to browse the |
| | | | classified sites on the net. Cost-wise |
| Isn't that a dilemma which comes to you each | | | | however it would be much better to find a |
| time when you are going to buy something big? | | | | good airplane in your area, because |
| Buying a second hand airplane has some | | | | transportation on big distances can be an |
| advantages, but of course the main is the | | | | issue. Check if there are any companies |
| lower price. An used aircraft can cost 50% or | | | | around you which build or resell ultralight |
| less the price of a similar new one. | | | | aircrafts. Often they will also offer used |
| | | | ones. |
| On the other hand, you should not buy second | | | | |
| hand if you don't know how to check its | | | | If you prefer to search the Web, write |
| quality. You need to ensure that the engine, | | | | "ultralight airplane for sale" in your |
| fuselage and wings are good enough and are | | | | favourite search engine and you'll get a lot |
| not damaged. If you don't know how to do | | | | of classifieds and company sites. If you have |
| that, you need either to go with a friend who | | | | decided on the type, make or model, you can |
| knows, or just buy a brand new airplane. | | | | narrow your search. |
| | | | |
| The Prices | | | | Another good idea is to search for |
| | | | "ultralight airplane kits" - then you will |
| Talking about prices, what can you expect? Of | | | | get a whole lot of results, options and |
| course, the prices vary a lot and it's up to | | | | prices. But building plane yourself from a |
| you to choose within a lot of models and | | | | kit is an entire different topic which I |
| types depending on your budget. Here are some | | | | won't cover in this article. |
| very basic guidelines, but please note there | | | | |
| can be big exceptions: | | | | Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you |
| | | | spend enough time planning and researching. |
| - A brand new ultralight airplane with fixed | | | | Your airplane can be your partner for the |
| wings costs from $20,000 and can go to more | | | | next 10, 20 or even 50 years. It's like a |
| than $50,000 | | | | marriage except that you could have more than |
| | | | one partners. |