Dave wrote:
I am looking into a purchase and there is an ultralight for sale in Winnepeg
that interests me greatly. I am 1600 miles away in Halifax and getting it
here at reasonable cost is an issue.

What is the best way to move ultralights, besides flying them. I am not yet
fully licensed and even then starting on that kind of flight with an unknown
(to me) aircraft seems a poor idea.

The lowest cost I can come up with is to drive out and buy a trailer, but I
am open to ideas. I am new to all of this so maybe there are things I an
overlooking.

I've made several long trips with an aircraft on a trailer - and not
only survived, but enjoyed the trips. Here's a few pictures of a couple
of the trailers.

1,000 miles with a MiniMax Ultralight on an open trailer.
http://ousterhout.net/gallery/minimax_trailer_1.jpg
http://ousterhout.net/gallery/minimax_trailer_2.jpg

4,000 miles (Independence, OR to Oshkosh and back) with a Nieuport in an
enclosed trailer.
http://ousterhout.net/gallery/nieuport_trailer_1.jpg
http://ousterhout.net/gallery/nieuport_trailer_2.jpg

I also made a 500 mile trip with an enclosed homebuilt trailer that was
constructed by a good builder who was not a good trailer engineer. This
one had a Vne of 50 mph and swayed dramatically whenever we were passed
by a Semi. I recommend you test drive your trailer on the same type of
highways as you'll be driving.

The Open trailer had lower drag.

The enclosed trailer was a Wells Cargo brand. It towed very well and
felt stable although aero drag was high.

You may be able to borrow a good trailer from someone. I'd ask around
the local EAA chapter -- this worked for me twice.

Because the weight of the aircraft will usually be far less than the
trailer's capacity, it will ride stiffly. Use lots of cushioning under
the aircraft. We used some dense foam. I recommend you use twice as
much packing and tie downs as you think necessary. Stop and check after
a few miles, then every 30 minutes for a while, then every 60, etc.
Stuff will shift. Take lots of duct tape.

I also recommend that you take a co-driver and switch off regularly.

- John Ousterhout -