Starting at zero
Sorry, you can use your experience as knowledge only
A: Unfortunately, you cannot credit a single hour of ultralight time toward the aeronautical experience requirements of the private pilot certificate. You must start with zero, just as if you were a new student pilot.
Under FAR Part 103, FAA has long maintained that an ultralight is a vehicle, and ultralight vehicles are not required to be registered or carry an airworthiness certificate. Further, operators of ultralight vehicles are not required to meet any aeronautical knowledge, age, or experience requirements, nor carry airman or medical certificates.
While there are likely some skills that can transfer positively from ultralights to aircraft, crediting time for a private pilot certificate is prohibited by FAR 61.52. Before January 31, 2012, ultralight time was creditable to some sport, private, and instructor certificates. However, on and after that date, the use of ultralight time for FAA certificates and ratings was sunset and terminated.
The same answer applies to time flying drones, or unmanned aircraft: zero. FAR 61.8 specifically states that any action conducted under Part 107 cannot be used to meet the requirements of Part 61. This means that any flight time you have flying drones cannot be applied to the aeronautical experience requirements for any pilot certificate or rating issued under Part 61, and that includes the private pilot certificate.
Craig Brown is a senior aviation technical specialist in the AOPA Pilot Information Center.
[email protected]
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