Jim,
I would appreciate your comment, but according to my knowledge: Beware!
AFAIK, what is done under the name ASC in Europe is close to fraud.
Definition of "ultralight" in US and Europe is completely different.
In Europe it is 2 seater up to 450kg MTOW and needs special national licence.
In US it's single seat (with trainer 2 seat reception) and need no licence.
This misunderstanding has bad consequences.
Just recently a guy wrecked and ELA 07 in Poland (hard landing, Nov 1st, 2010).
He claimed he has a "licence" and presented a document called
„Ultralight/Microlight Aviation Pilot License and IPCP –
International Pilot Certificate of Proficiency”, allegedly issued by ASC.
Polish aviation authorities obviously didn't know exactly, what it is, ant let
him fly heavy 2 seater gyro with this worthless piece of paper.
For me, it seams that some flight schools in Europe misuse the ignorance
of pilots and authorities and use the name of ASC against it's intention.
The document mentioned above can only apply to the US "ultralight" class,
and has nothing to do with the European rules.
Just to remind:
In US:FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles, which specifies a powered "ultralight" as a single seat vehicle of less than 5 US gallons (19 L) fuel capacity, empty weight of less than 254 pounds (115 kg), a top speed of 55 knots (102 km/h or 64 mph), and a maximum stall speed not exceeding 24 knots (45 km/h or 27.6 mph). Restrictions include flying only during daylight hours and over unpopulated areas. Unpowered "ultralights" (hang gliders, paragliders, etc.) are limited to a weight of 155 lb (70 kg) with extra weight allowed for amphibious landing gear and ballistic parachute systems
In Europe:JAR-1 (ultralight) is an aeroplane having no more than two seats, maximum stall speed (VS0) of 35 knots (65 km/h) CAS, and a maximum take-off mass of no more than:
300 kg (661 lb) for a landplane, single seater; or
450 kg (992 lb) for a landplane, two-seater; or
330 kg (728 lb) for an amphibian or floatplane, single seater; or
495 kg (1,091 lb) for an amphibian or floatplane, two-seater, provided that a microlight capable of operating as both a floatplane and a landplane falls below both MTOM limits, as appropriate.