A Film by Brian Fitzgerald
UFM2Two Years in the Making... "UFM2 - Ultralight Flying Millennium 2" In Depth Information about Fixed Wing Ultralights, Trikes, Helicopters, PPCs and PPGs!
"UFM2" is FitzGerald's sixth documentary on aviation matters and his first project in High Definition. It was made to chronicle the current state of Ultralight Flying in America. It features what he calls "the five fingers" of ultralight flying: 1. Fixed Wing Ultralights; 2. Trikes; 3. Powered Parachutes (PPCs); 4. Powered Paragliders (PPGs) and 5. Helicopters. In order to cover these five types of ultralights, Brian has sought out Designers, Instructors, Builders and Enthusiasts who are all flyers and very knowledgeable regarding their aircraft. Through these in-depth interviews and demonstrations of the equipment you will gather much useful information. You will also see every machine fly. By this method you can determine which type of flight to pursue.
"UFM2" is 3 hours and 15 minutes long allowing for full coverage of the subjects at hand.It was produced as a "video magazine" with chapter markers providing quick access to the many Introductions, Interviews and Music Videos.
Brian FitzGerald of Wichita, Kansas is an independent video producer and recipient of numerous awards for TV commercials and documentaries. He has 25+ years experience in the television business working in production, news and advertising. FitzGerald is the cameraman for all of the footage used in his movies (except for some standups and some "ground-to-air" taken by Ted Lewis and Jeff Johnson (see - The Making of "MXing It Up" for more about Ted). FitzGerald is also the editor and writes/performs a good deal of the music. Prior to entering the video business in 1981, Brian was a rock/blues musician based in Northern California where he had 3 different bands that played in N. California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Using various synthesizers and his trusty 1971 Gibson SG, his Ibanez bass, his daughter's Stratocaster and digital drum loops, he writes and produces virtually all of the music heard in his videos. FitzGerald is also the proud son of a career fighter pilot for the U.S. Air Force who, as an F-105 squadron commander, carried the flag into downtown Hanoi and also flew P-47's over France during WWII. He is married and has two children. He has a private pilot license and has flown ultralights since 1983.
A Philosophical Note From Brian FitzGerald It is my belief that flyers of ultralight aircraft are perfectly able to pilot their machines with the current minimal amount of government regulatory oversight. The history of the movement has proven that properly maintained, well-designed ultralight aircraft are safe. I believe that pilots should continue to be responsible for obtaining training on their own and that they should continue to be responsible for maintaining their proficiency without any governmental licensing. American ultralight aviators have shown the world that we are indeed "...the land of the free..." Let's keep it that way! Fly smart... Fly Responsibly.
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DISCLAIMER: Please read and be sure you thoroughly understand this disclaimer before flying a TrikeBuggy. Trike flying is an extremely demanding sport requiring exceptional levels of attention, judgment, maturity and self discipline. It is unlikely that you will be able to participate in it safely unless you make a conscious and continual commitment to your own safety. PPG and Hang Glider Trike flying is a dangerous sport and may result in injury and death even when practiced by a competent pilot using proper equipment. TrikeBuggies are not covered by product liability insurance, nor have they been designed, manufactured or tested to any federal or state government airworthiness standards or regulations. Do not fly them unless you are willing to assume personally all risks in the sport of Trike flying, and all responsibility for any property damage, injury, or death which may result from your use of this TrikeBuggy. Safe operation of the TrikeBuggy requires a pilot proficiency equivalent to that of a BFI (Basic Flight Instructor), as well as an equivalent level of knowledge and understanding of those wind and weather conditions which may compromise the pilot's safe control of the TrikeBuggy. In particular, be advised that gusty winds or turbulent conditions may interfere with even an expert pilot's ability to safely control the TrikeBuggy, and may cause it to crash. Never take anything for granted in Trike Flying. If you are in doubt about anything, stop and figure it out or contact TrikeBuggy. Also please read our Warning and Caution! |
See a sample of this fine video by looking 
In addition to the interviews, there are numerous music video segments sprinkled throughout the movie to provide "The Romance of Flying". Of particular interest is "Lil Prop / Big Prop" which is the movie's finalé and was Designed to Put You in the Seat of an Ultralight Skimming the Prairie. It runs 24 minutes. "Lil Prop" features music written and recorded by FitzGerald with him playing the guitars and bass with a little singing thrown in.
In order to complete UFM2, FitzGerald traveled to and gathered interviews and interesting flight footage from a number of locations. South Central Kansas is the region for the "Lil Prop" music video and Doug Bryant's Helicopter Interview. Gardner, Kansas was the site of the "Dawn Patrol" Fly-In and Interview with Gene Smith about his Backyard Flyer. Fort Scott, Arkansas for the Annual Memorial Day PPG Fly-In. London, Tennessee to the Home of Kolb Aircraft to talk with Stanley Chitwood and The Salton Sea south of Palm Springs to interview Designer Chad Bastian and Instructor Bob Peloquin about the TrikeBuggy.
Photo courtesy Doug Moler
