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