Certify powered glider (WAS: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group Re: I need help)

Hey Ed,

Digging a little deeper on this (mostly inquiring with Timm Bogenhagen, the EAA LSA specialist) I came up with what would really appear to the bottom line on what one can squeek into "Powered Glider"
(and rule out the obviously off-the-wall attempts to bring in, say, and AB or experimental 180mph RV as a "glider"):

"You are correct the guidance you cited is contained in an advisory circular used as guidance to type certificate gliders.
Experimental amateur built aircraft are not required to comply with this guidance because they are not type certificated.
In fact there is no guidance that could be used to define an E-AB glider other than the definition of a glider given in FAR Part 1.1, reprinted below:

'Glider means a heavier-than-air aircraft, that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its lifting surfaces and whose free flight does not depend principally on an engine.' "

Having flown a Challenger-II long-wing -- although you CAN indeed soar it under good conditions -- I'd have to say (as does Timm who owns a Challenger-II long wing) -- by that definition it is a bit of a stretch to say it does not depend principally on an engine.

In short, IMO the FAA cut Chuck Scrivner some slack but would have been within rights to refuse to certify his aircraft as a glider.

Alex

--- In Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com, "Ed Burkhead" <ed@...> wrote:
>
>
> The last I heard, the formula concerning wing loading and weight only applies to CERTIFICATED gliders (powered or unpowered).
>
> Experimental gliders can have any aspect ratio or wing loading. Spaceship 1 is an often cited example of an experimental glider.
>
> As far as that goes, perhaps the Space Shuttles would qualify as experimental gliders.
>
> I haven't been paying attention for a while but I have not heard of any change to the ***experimental*** glider requirements (i.e. almost none).
>
> Ed Burkhead
> http://edburkhead.com/Challenger/glider/motorglider1.htm











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