In 20 years, the ultralight has passed the experimental state and is being built in series, studied by engineers and tested exhaustedly in France by the aeronautic industry in Toulouse.

The Ultralights are limited to carry two persons and the restrictions compared to normal aviation are simplified. This brings a user-friendliness that no other aircraft can offer.

In France we distinguish 5 types of ultralights :

Class 1 (motorised parachutes)

 
An ultralight motorised parachute is an aircraft suspended by a flexibel parachute type matras. It complies to the following technical conditions:

• The maximum continuous power is lesser or equal than 45 kW for single seaters and 60 kW for two seaters.
• The maximum weight is lesser or equal than 300 kg for single seaters and 450 kg for two seaters.

Class 2 (weight shift trike)

  
An ultralight weight shift trike is an aercraft suspended by a tissue clothed rigid frame under which there is normally a motorized carriage fixed.

Class 3 (fixed wing)

   
A fixed wing ultralight is an aircraft with a fixed wing and commands equal to normal aircraft. Both weight shift trikes and fixed wing ultralights comply to the following technical conditions:

• The maximum continuous power is lesser or equal than 45 kW for single seaters and 60 kW for two seaters.
• The maximum weight is lesser or equal than 300 kg for single seaters and 450 kg for two seaters, these weights may be increased by 5 % when the ultralight is equipped with a safety parachute or floats;
• The stalling speed (Vso) is inferior or equal to 65 km/h or the wing load with the maximum mass is lower than 30 kg/m2.

Class 4 (ultralight autogiro)

An ultralight autogiro complies to the following technical conditions:

• The maximum continuous power is lesser or equal than 60 kW for single seaters and 80 kW for two seaters;
• The maximum weight is lesser or equal than 300 kg for single seaters and 450 kg for two seaters;
• the rotor load at the maximum mass lies between 4,5 and 12 kg at one square meter.

Classe 5 (ultralight balloon)

An ultralight balloon complies to the following technical conditions:

• The maximum continuous power is lesser or equal than 60 kW for single seaters and 80 kW for two seaters;
• the volume of helium gas must be lower or equal to 900 m3
• the volume of hot air must be lower or equal to 2000 m3.

Sub-classes 1 A, 2 A et 3 A of classes 1,2 or 3

(with external engine) The ultralights with external engines comply to the following technical conditions:

• Only single seaters;
• The maximum continuous power is lesser or equal than 25 kW;
• The maximum weight is lesser or equal than 170 kg;
• the wing load at the maximum mass is lower than 30 kg/m2.

The machines are registered by the Civil aviation and are being driven by engines of aeronautical design produced in large numbers. The Ultralight is now an establihed part of aviation which does not have anything to envy compared to "normal" aircraft from a safety point of view and wotkload capacities.