Wild aircraft are the hallmark of AirVenture, the world's largest get-together for pilots, which starts today in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) airshow last year attracted more than 677,000 visitors, who stayed at local hotels, camped or volunteered. Among the 3,365 aircraft at the show, there were 1,497 vintage aircraft, 1,067 homebuilt aircraft, 380 warbirds, 134 seaplanes, and 41 rotorcraft.

But arguably the most interesting category, at least for aviation enthusiasts who want to fly with the fewest number of restrictions, is the ultralight category. Last year, there were 194 ultralights registered at AirVenture, though a number of homebuilt aircraft could also qualify for that category.

These ultralights, which fall under Part 103 FAA regulations, and the slightly larger gyro-aircraft, are designs that you don't see every day—capable of literally launching from someone's lawn. Because they only seat one person, they duck several rules for larger aircraft that can, frankly, do more damage if things go awry.

Powered ultralights, which have a maximum speed of 55 knots, don't require a pilot's certificate or FAA registration, and they can be sold by manufacturers as build-it-yourself kits, or delivered as a complete aircraft. Even the category name is a bit of a misnomer: They can look like small fixed-wing airplanes, amphibs, helicopters, or gliders. 

Ultralights are also evolving with a new category of personal electric vehicles like the Pivotal Helix or Jetson One, spurred by the urban air mobility movement. "Public acceptance for these new electric aircraft is the biggest hurdle," says Dan Johnson, a longtime aviation journalist focused on this sector. "Aircraft like the Helix or Jetson One can operate on their own—they don't have to haul people around like larger air taxis—so if this kind of flying interests you, you'll be able to get into them in pretty short order." Pivotal, for example, is taking orders for its new Helix for delivery in 2025.