Airline Pilot Forums

Hey Guys,

First time on this forum, please excuse me if my posting is not quite right.

I'm thinking of flying my ultralight aircraft, the 2-place Weedhopper, down the coast of South America. I know it's crazy, but it's the good kind of crazy :). It's a little tricked out to get much better range.

Anyways, I am curious if there are any online sources where I can find which airspace is uncontrolled (class F and G). I'm not an official pilot, but I do have my solo license. Sources would be much appreciated.

Thanks for any advice.

Wait until you have your license and some experience to try this. Sounds like it will take some significant planning on your part. Don't skimp when it comes to charts - looking online for a brief synopsis will not be enough. There are maps for US airspace (SkyVector: Flight Planning / Aeronautical Charts (http://www.skyvector.com)) online that are NOT approved for flight planning. Just doing this with your solo license is asking for a disaster...

I can't emphasize enough what a wonderful awful idea this is. You are going to end up in a Venezuelan prison accused of drug trafficking. This is IF you don't get shot down before that. This should definitely be done ASAP! Send a postcard!

Also, different countries have different rules for airspace and licensing...you would need to detailed research for each country you visit.

...and don't forget insurance issues. You may not care but some of those governments might.

I agree with the other replies on here. I don't think it's a good kind of crazy. In the US "class G" is considered "government free" but abroad that distinction doesn't exist. They'll still send you for a tailspin citing you for any possible violation they can think of and could probably seize your aircraft. Remember, general aviation abroad is not a very popular pastime! They will probably find your adventure a bit suspicious and won't take kindly to your low level flying over their beautiful sovereign country. My recommendation is to take your ultralight around the US coast instead. The view of South Beach at 500' is one to remember ;)

.....so what did we agree on guys, he should go for it?

You wouldn't happen to be the ultralight I almost hit at 9000ft about 35 miles ENE of RIC 3 months ago where you? Cause I don't know how someone gets an ultralight to 9000ft without putting a larger engine on it. If you're not sure, then it wasn't you cause you'd remember...I passed 180ft off your left wing going 250 knots. Whoever it was is lucky we popped out of the cloud buildup when we did, or else there would've been no time for us to maneuver.

Hey Guys,

First time on this forum, please excuse me if my posting is not quite right.

I'm thinking of flying my ultralight aircraft, the 2-place Weedhopper, down the coast of South America. I know it's crazy, but it's the good kind of crazy :). It's a little tricked out to get much better range.

Anyways, I am curious if there are any online sources where I can find which airspace is uncontrolled (class F and G). I'm not an official pilot, but I do have my solo license. Sources would be much appreciated.

Thanks for any advice.

Each country issues a AIP hope you enjoy reading! This site has a description and links to a lot of AIPs.
Aeronautical Information Publication - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeronautical_Information_Publication)