FAR 103 rule violations by ultralight pilots

by Had Robinson
updated August 1, 2024

Unfortunately, there are too many ultralight pilots who do not know, or who choose to ignore, the FAA rules for operating ultralights.  Their actions are a danger to themselves and others, to say nothing of theim being a public nuisance.

Over the years Southwest Airsports has worked with landowners and public officials all over the USA to help stop the lawless actions of these people.

What if you observe an ultralight operating in an unsafe or irresponsible manner?  Here is what to do:

1. KNOW THE RULES   Get acquainted with the FAA 103 rules for ultralights (just 4 double-spaced pages).  Briefly, if an ultralight pilot appears to be operating in an unsafe manner or is creating a nuisance, he probably is.
   
   Briefly, ultralights are strictly forbidden: to fly over any congested area e.g., a town or city, a housing division, or fly near or over ANY SPORTS EVENT, RODEO, OR FAIR; to buzz people or chase animals; to drop anything that might strike a person on the ground.  The FAA is liberal in interpreting what "over" or "near" means.  For example, flying near a home that causes the owner's dogs to bark, directly over a home, over people in a swimming  pool, or over someone hiking down a trail is a violation of the rules.  What does "over" mean?  Technically, it means to the top of the atmosphere.  If it is lower, the FAA decides.
   
   Hopefully, you may know the pilot and can visit with him about the problem.  Do not be angry because the pilot may be ignorant of the rules and will be cooperative.  If he is not cooperative or you do not know who the pilot is, continue to the next step.
   
   
2. GET EVIDENCE   The FAA and local law enforcement will not consider a complaint unless there is evidence of an alleged violation.  It must include the time, date, location, and, if possible, the identity of the pilot.  Take photographs or, better, a video.  Put yourself in the best and closest location to where the violation occurs.  Usually you will have time to setup because you can hear a paramotor coming from up to a mile away.  A concealed location is preferred because the rogue pilot may see you and change course.
   
   The FAA prefers that all photos/vids include the direction traveling relative to some identifiable object on the ground (e.g. your home, a park or school athletic field, or some landmark) and the ultralight's altitude e.g., a rooftop or notable object should be in the background.
   
   On the other hand, a responsible pilot will usually wave if he is close enough to see you.  If you wave him away, he will usually comply.
   
   
3. FIND AND IDENTIFY THE PILOT  This is a required step.  If you know who it is and have his contact information (phone number or his address), go to the next step.
   
   Follow the ultralight in a vehicle in order to identify the pilot's launching/landing location.  If you are successful, you can get his vehicle's description and license tag number as well as a personal description of the pilot.  To do this safely requires two people, one to drive while the other keeps his eye on the ultralight.  Most ultralight pilots rarely travel more than a few miles from their operations area so this is easy.
   
   If there are any USPPA (motorized paraglider) or USHPA (non-motorized paraglider) pilots in the area, they will usually help you identify the pilot if you cannot find where he launched or landed.  Contact the respective organization, explain your problem, and they will help you find a member pilot nearby, if there is one, who can work with you and help identify the pilot.  All responsible pilots know that rogue pilots are NOT their friends and are the primary cause of site loss for ultralight pilots in the U.S.
   
   
4. CONTACT THE PILOT  There are a number of pilots who do not know the rules, are not properly trained, but are otherwise good citizens and will respond to the concerns of others.  It is always best to visit with the pilot and share your concerns i.e., what he is doing is hazardous to others and their property or he is being a nuisance.  Hopefully, he will apologize and be cooperative.  Do *not* get angry, despite the fact that it may take some effort on your part to contact him.  In other words, do not assume that the pilot is just trying to be a pest or a scofflaw.  If the pilot is rude or uncooperative, go to the next step.
   
   Please be aware that safe and responsible pilots often use public areas, like a road or park, to operate from but they do it in such a way as to protect the safety and property of others without being a nuisance.  However, many cities and towns have ordinances that require all aircraft to operate from an airport but law enforcement (LE) usually ignores violation of these ordinances if the ultralight pilot is not being a nuisance to anyone and is operating his aircraft safely and responsibly.  Generally, responsible ultralight pilots get up, out, and away from others as quickly as possible.  However, if he is rude or uncooperative, contact LE and make a complaint that the pilot is violating the local ordinanace requiring all aircraft to operate from an airport, etc.  The information obtained in step 3 above will be necessary in order to file a complaint with LE or, if necessary, the FAA.  If LE cannot or will not help, go to the next step.
   
   
5. WHO TO CONTACT IF THE PILOT IS RUDE OR UNCOOPERATIVE  If the pilot is operating from private property (but is not present), contact the landowner and tell him what the problem is and ask him for help in identifying the pilot, if needed.  This will depend on whether the landowner gave him permission to trespass.  If the pilot does not have permission and the landowner wants to stop him, the landowner will need your help.  LE will get involved if the pilot is trespassing without permission.
   
   If the pilot is chasing animals, including cattle, deer or other game animals, contact the local game warden and he will take it from there.
   
   If he is using a public street or highway to land/launch from, contact LE.  Explain to them what happened, that you have photographs and/or video, and that you have had no success in contacting the pilot, fixing the problem, the pilot will not cooperate, etc.  Nonetheless, LE can only help you identify the pilot if he has violated local or state ordinances e.g., trespassing.  If LE cannot or will not help, continue to the next step.
   
   
6. CONTACT THE FAA   The FAA has regional operations centers that help anyone who observes an ultralight or aircraft operating in an unsafe or illegal manner.  Identify the center that services the region where you observed the alleged violation.  The contact page for your region will have a 24 x 7 telephone number that is for reporting aviation incidences (e.g. low-flying aircraft) and accidents.  An operator will help you file a report as well as getting the identity of the pilot from the information obtained in step 3 above.
   
   Private citizens or any government agency may contact the FAA.

CONCLUSION   If we can help in some way, please contact us.