Tracy Knauss’ passion for flight took him on adventures for over 40 years, from hang-gliding down Lookout Mountain to flying an ultralight from the top of a volcano; even producing his own magazine about personal flight.
For his contributions to the global ultralights community, made up of those with an interest in the single-seat, powered flying machines, The Experimental Aircraft Association’s Sport Aviation Hall of Fame recently inducted Knauss into its ranks.
Ultralight is a unique form of flying in which the machine must weigh less than 254 pounds, have a top speed of 63 miles per hour and be flown in daylight, below the clouds and above empty land with no developments. The person flying the craft does not have to have a pilot’s license unless it is an amateur-built machine, but training is highly recommended.
Knauss was inducted into the hall of fame primarily for his magazine, Light Sport & Ultralight Flying, which he began after moving to Chattanooga in 1975 and which lasted until last year.
“I started the Lookout Mountain Flight Park in 1977 and incorporated it in 1978. And I started Sport Aeronautics Inc. that produced the American Cup international hang-gliding team championships in 1978,” Knauss said.