During the late 1970s and early 1980s, mostly stimulated by the hang gliding movement, many people sought affordable powered flight. As a result, many aviation authorities set up definitions of lightweight, slow-flying aeroplanes that could be subject to minimum regulations. The resulting aeroplanes are commonly called "ultralight aircraft" or "microlights", although the weight and speed limits differ from country to country. In Europe, the sporting (FAI) definition limits the maximum stalling speed to and the maximum take-off weight to , or if a ballistic parachute is installed. The definition means that the aircraft has a slow landing speed and short landing roll in the event of an engine failure.Boric, Marino, Spoilt For Choice, Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al (editors): World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 10. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s mostly stimulated by the hang gliding movement many people sought affordable powered flight As a result many aviation authorities set up definitions of lightweight slow-flying aeroplanes that could be subject to minimum regulations The resulting aeroplanes are commonly called "ultralight aircraft" or "microlights" although the weight and speed limits differ from country to country In Europe the sporting (FAI) definition limits the maximum stalling speed to and the maximum take-off weight to  or if a ballistic parachute is installed The definition means that the aircraft has a slow landing speed and short landing roll in the event of an engine failureBoric Marino Spoilt For Choice Bayerl Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al (editors) World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12 page 10 WDLA UK Lancaster UK 2011