The Most Popular Ultralight Aircraft, Ranked

Choose the ultralight aircraft you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 12, 2024 07:43
Flying high in the sky with the feeling of freedom and minimalism that ultralight aircraft offer is a dream for many adventure enthusiasts. With so many models available, it can be challenging to decide which one might be the best for your personal adventures. By gathering the preferences and experiences of a diverse group of users, a clear picture of top favorites emerges, making it easier for newcomers to make informed decisions. This voting-based ranking taps into the collective wisdom of the aviation community. Each vote casts a spotlight on different ultralight aircraft, emphasizing their unique advantages and suitability for various flying conditions. Through active participation, everyone contributes to a dynamic and authentic compilation of the most admired models in the ultralight aircraft community.

What Is the Most Popular Ultralight Aircraft?

  1. 1
    46
    votes
    The Quicksilver MX is a two-seater ultralight aircraft that has been in production since the 1970s. It is one of the most popular ultralight aircraft due to its simplicity, affordability, and ease of use.
    The Quicksilver MX is a popular ultralight aircraft that has gained recognition for its simplicity, affordability, and versatility. It is an open-cockpit, single-seat aircraft designed for recreational flying and offers an enjoyable and accessible flying experience.
    • Type: Ultralight aircraft
    • Manufacturer: Quicksilver Aeronautics
    • Seats: 1
    • Engine Options: Various 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines
    • Wingspan: 28 ft (8.5 m)
  2. 2
    27
    votes
    The Challenger II is a two-seater ultralight aircraft that has a reputation for being reliable, safe, and easy to fly. It is known for its excellent handling and performance capabilities.
    The Challenger II is a popular ultralight aircraft renowned for its versatility and reliability. It is a single-engine, two-seat airplane that is widely recognized for its outstanding performance and ease of handling. With its sleek and stylish design, the Challenger II is suitable for both novice pilots and experienced aviators alike. Its outstanding flight characteristics and low maintenance requirements make it a preferred choice among ultralight aircraft enthusiasts and training schools.
    • Wingspan: 29 ft 3 in (8.9 m)
    • Length: 19 ft 11 in (6.1 m)
    • Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.8 m)
    • Empty Weight: 498 lb (226 kg)
    • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 1,000 lb (454 kg)
  3. 3
    12
    votes
    Aerolite 103
    FlugKerl2 · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Aerolite 103

    Tennessee Aircraft Company
    The Aerolite 103 is a single-seat ultralight aircraft that is highly popular among pilots who want a lightweight, fun-to-fly aircraft. It is known for its impressive performance, stability, and durability.
    The Aerolite 103 is a popular ultralight aircraft renowned for its simplicity, affordability, and excellent flight characteristics. It is a single-seat, high-wing aircraft designed for recreational flying and pilot training.
    • Wingspan: 28 ft
    • Length: 18 ft
    • Empty Weight: 254 lbs
    • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 550 lbs
    • Engine: Rotax 447 or Rotax 503
  4. 4
    20
    votes
    Rans S-6 Coyote
    MilborneOne · Public domain

    Rans S-6 Coyote

    Rans Designs
    The Rans S-6 Coyote is a two-seater ultralight aircraft that is highly popular due to its excellent performance, handling, and durability. It is a versatile aircraft that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as recreational flying, training, and aerial photography.
    The Rans S-6 Coyote is a light sport aircraft designed and manufactured by Rans Designs. It is a popular ultralight aircraft known for its simplicity, versatility, and excellent flight characteristics. The Coyote is a two-seat, high-wing aircraft with a tricycle landing gear configuration, making it suitable for both training and recreational flying. It features a well-designed cockpit, responsive controls, and exceptional maneuverability, providing pilots with an enjoyable flying experience. The aircraft is constructed primarily from aluminum tubing and features a fabric-covered wing and tail assembly.
    • Type: Ultralight
    • Manufacturer: Rans Designs
    • Seats: 2
    • Wingspan: 28 ft (8.5 m)
    • Length: 19 ft 4 in (5.89 m)
  5. 5
    11
    votes

    P&M QuikR

    P&M Aviation
    The P&M QuikR is a two-seater ultralight aircraft that is highly popular among pilots who want a fast, efficient, and reliable aircraft. It is known for its excellent handling, high-performance capabilities, and ease of use.
    The P&M QuikR is a popular ultralight aircraft designed for sport flying and recreational purposes. It belongs to the flexwing category and offers a unique and exhilarating flying experience. The QuikR is known for its agility, speed, and easy handling, making it a favorite among pilots.
    • Wing span: 10.06 meters
    • Wing area: 14.8 square meters
    • Length: 5.3 meters
    • Empty weight: 143 kg
    • Maximum takeoff weight: 300 kg
  6. 6
    12
    votes

    AirBorne XT912

    AirBorne Australia
    The AirBorne XT912 is a two-seater ultralight aircraft that is highly popular due to its excellent performance, handling, and durability. It is a versatile aircraft that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as recreational flying, training, and aerial photography.
    The AirBorne XT912 is a popular ultralight aircraft known for its versatility and exceptional performance. It is a two-seat, high-winged aircraft designed for various recreational activities, including flight training, aerial photography, and leisure flying. The aircraft boasts a sturdy construction, comfortable cockpit, and excellent maneuverability.
    • Engine: Rotax 912ULS
    • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 570 kg
    • Cruise Speed: 160 km/h
    • Range: 850 km
    • Fuel Capacity: 100 liters
  7. 7
    9
    votes

    North Wing Apache

    North Wing Design
    The North Wing Apache is a two-seater ultralight aircraft that is highly popular among pilots who want a lightweight, fun-to-fly aircraft. It is known for its impressive performance, stability, and durability.
    The North Wing Apache is a widely recognized ultralight aircraft known for its exceptional speed and maneuverability. It is a single-seat, high-wing design that offers a thrilling flying experience to pilots seeking excitement and agility in the air. The Apache is built using lightweight materials and advanced aerodynamics to maximize performance while maintaining excellent stability and control. With its sleek and stylish design, it is sure to turn heads both on the ground and in the sky.
    • Type: Ultralight aircraft
    • Seating: Single-seat
    • Wings: High-wing design
    • Speed: Exceptional speed
    • Maneuverability: Highly maneuverable
  8. 8
    9
    votes

    Fly Synthesis Storch

    Fly Synthesis
    The Fly Synthesis Storch is a two-seater ultralight aircraft that is highly popular due to its excellent performance, handling, and durability. It is a versatile aircraft that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as recreational flying, training, and aerial photography.
    The Fly Synthesis Storch is a popular ultralight aircraft designed for recreational flying and pilot training. It is known for its lightweight construction and excellent flight characteristics.
    • Type: Ultralight aircraft
    • Design: High-wing monoplane
    • Seating Capacity: 2
    • Engine: Rotax 912 or Rotax 582
    • Empty Weight: 275 kg (606 lbs)
  9. 9
    7
    votes
    Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat
    Arpingstone · Public domain
    The Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat is a two-seater ultralight aircraft that is highly popular among pilots who want a reliable, safe, and easy-to-fly aircraft. It is known for its excellent handling, high-performance capabilities, and versatility.
    The Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat is a popular ultralight aircraft designed and manufactured by Aeroprakt. It is a versatile and light single-engine aircraft known for its excellent handling and reliability. The A-22 Foxbat is designed to be easy to fly and maintain, making it suitable for both seasoned pilots and beginners alike. Its sleek design and aerodynamic features provide stable and efficient flight capabilities.
    • Type: Ultralight aircraft
    • Length: 6.82 m (22 ft 5 in)
    • Wingspan: 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
    • Height: 2.20 m (7 ft 2 in)
    • Empty Weight: 290 kg (640 lb)
  10. 10
    4
    votes
    Air Creation Tanarg
    BAlvarius · CC BY-SA 3.0
    The Air Creation Tanarg is a two-seater ultralight aircraft that is highly popular due to its excellent performance, handling, and durability. It is a versatile aircraft that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as recreational flying, training, and aerial photography.
    The Air Creation Tanarg is a popular ultralight aircraft known for its high performance and versatility. It is a two-seat, tandem configuration aircraft with a fully enclosed cabin, offering comfortable and safe flying experience. The Tanarg has a sleek and modern design, making it visually appealing to aviation enthusiasts.
    • Length: 5.74 meters
    • Wingspan: 9.2 meters
    • Empty weight: 220 kg
    • Maximum takeoff weight: 450 kg
    • Engine: Rotax 912 ULS

Missing your favorite ultralight aircraft?

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Ranking factors for popular ultralight aircraft

  1. Safety
    The safety record of the aircraft is of utmost importance. Factors such as the number of accidents, crashworthiness, and pilot training requirements should be considered.
  2. Performance
    Factors such as speed, range, and cruising altitude should be taken into account.
  3. Cost
    The cost of the aircraft, including purchase price and operating costs, should be considered.
  4. Ease of use
    The ease of handling and maintenance of the aircraft should be considered.
  5. Pilot skill level
    The aircraft's suitability for pilots of varying skill levels should also be taken into account.
  6. Design and Features
    The design and features of the aircraft, such as aerodynamics, engine type, cockpit controls, and available avionics, should also be considered.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular ultralight aircraft. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or ultralight is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1724 views
  • 153 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each ultralight once every 24 hours. The rank of each ultralight is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Categories

More information on most popular ultralight aircraft

Ultralight aircraft, also known as microlight or ultra-low-cost aircraft, have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their affordability and ease of use. These small planes are typically designed to be flown by one or two people and are often used for recreational purposes such as sightseeing and aerial photography. There are many different types of ultralight aircraft available on the market today, each with its own unique features and capabilities. Some of the most popular models include fixed-wing aircraft, trikes, and gyroplanes. When it comes to choosing the most popular ultralight aircraft, there are many factors to consider, including cost, performance, and ease of use. Ultimately, the best choice will depend on your individual needs and preferences. However, by doing your research and comparing different models, you can find the perfect ultralight aircraft for your needs and take to the skies with confidence.

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