No. General aviation aircraft are aircraft operated under 14 CFR part 91 rules, which could be any category of airplane, including transport category and rotorcraft. Additionally, airplanes operated under 14 CFR parts121 and 135, which may include small airplanes, are not considered General Aviation aircraft when operated under these rules.

As an ultralight instructor who is also an FAA Certified Flight Instructor, I am often asked about the differences between ultralights and general aviation airplanes. An ancillary question is, 'How long does it take a general aviation pilot to check, out in an ultralight?' The answer is that there are several significant differences between the two types of aircraft. The transition time varies from two to ten hours, depending on how experienced the general aviation pilot is with various types of light aircraft. A general aviation pilot who has also flown a glider and a helicopter would be able to transition to an ultralight more quickly. This is because he is used to landing close to the ground in a glider and making a steep landing approach in a helicopter.

There are risks involved when taking to the sky as a private pilot and understanding these risks is part of the continual learning process. The key to safety is performing careful planning, keeping current and proficient, knowing when to cancel flights or turn around and not to exceed your capabilities or the capabilities of your aircraft.