Do you need a pilots license to fly an ultralight in Canada?
Owen Barnes
Updated on February 16, 2026
Do you need a pilots license to fly an ultralight in Canada?
Yes, in Canada you need an appropriate licence to fly any aircraft. Ultralights may be flown with an Ultralight Pilot Permit or with any Aeroplane category licence such as a Recreational Pilot Permit or a Private Pilot Licence.
How do you get an ultralight license in Canada?
Ultralight Permit
- -Be at least 16 years of age.
- -Hold a Category 4 Medical Certificate valid for a Pilot Permit – Ultra-light Aeroplane.
- -Completed a minimum of 20 hours of ultra-light aeroplane pilot ground school instruction.
- -Pass written test to obtain student pilot permit.
Do I need a pilots license to fly an ultralight?
— there’s also a great deal of freedom, as ultralight pilots aren’t licensed in any way. Even though you don’t need any kind of license or certificate to fly ultralights, training should be considered absolutely mandatory.
What license do you need to fly ultralight?
According to federal regulations, a powered ultralight is an aircraft that weighs less than 254 pounds, carries a maximum 5 gal. of gas, doesn’t fly faster than 63 mph and seats only one person. You can legally fly it without a pilot’s license, without training — without any qualifications at all.
Do ultralights need insurance?
You can get liability insurance, but only from a few companies. The US Ultralight Association recommends First Flight Insurance Group and EAA has insurance plans for experimental aircraft, gyrocopters, powered parachutes and trikes (weight-shift control) aircraft.
Where can I land my ultralight?
There’s no requirement that ultralights operate from airports, so they can take off and land in private fields or wherever it is safe to do so. If they meet the above requirements and can operate safely, ultralights can take off and land nearly anywhere.
How much does an ultra light cost?
Ultralight Aircrafts: Single-seat, single-engine recreational planes. These may be purchased new, for an up-front cost of $8,000 to $15,000.
Can you fly ultralight anywhere?
There’s no requirement that ultralights operate from airports, so they can take off and land in private fields or wherever it is safe to do so.
What is ultralight used for?
The FAA defines ultralight aircraft as intended to be used for recreation or sport purposes, and by a single occupant. A powered aircraft is required to weigh less than 254 pounds and 155 pounds for a non-powered one.