Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group Re: I need help

How would that formula be applied to a biplane?



--- In Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com, "circicirci" <acensor@...> wrote:
>
> Hmmm.
> Curious what happened when the FAA examiner came out to issue his original airworthiness certification and saw it didn't LOOK much like a motor glider?
> Or did it? Do you recall what sort of aircraft it was?
>
>
> I CAN imagine squeezing in a Challenger as a "motor-glider" but hard to imagine how he(or she) could pull that registration strategy off with anything that didn't look like a motor glider.
>
>
> Wonder (a ) if there's a legal FAA definition of "motor glider" that would prevent one from, say, registering a 150 knot capable RV with a 500+ mile cruising range under power as a motor-glider?
> (b ) if you have to have a glider pilot rating to be able to fly a motor glider?
>
> Hey, FYI I just found an answer to my own question "(a)" at the EAA.
> Interesting:
> -------------------------
> "There is no official definition of a "motor glider". The FAA does not use that term. They do call out a requirement for a "powered glider", but the aircraft is still considered a "glider" even though it has an engine.
>
> In order for an aircraft to be considered a "powered glider" it must meet the following criteria:
>
> (i) The number of occupants does not exceed two;
> (ii) Maximum weight does not exceed 850 kg (1874 pounds); and
> (iii) The maximum weight to wing span squared (w/b2) does not exceed 3.0 kg/M2 (0.62 lb./ft.2).
>
> Item (iii) is key, because many aircraft that people would like to consider a "motorglider" won't meet the span loading formula. Again, the formula is the maximum gross weight divided by the wing span squared. Here's an example:
>
> An aircraft with a gross weight of 1250 lbs and a wing span of 36 feet would work out to .96 lb/ft.2 according to the formula, which would not meet the requirement. But an aircraft with the same gross weight but a 46 foot wing span would work out to .59 lb/ft.2, which does meet the requirement."
> -------------------------
>
> Thus there'll be few aircraft you can use this stratgegy with.
> Some LSA's would fit. But those you can fly without medical anyway.
> None that would help a 400 pounder who wants to fly without a medical as far as I can tell.
>
>
> --- In Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com, "Cy Galley" <cgalley@> wrote:
> >
> > Motor Gliders fly under the same rules. One person I am aware of even registered his home built as a motor glider to avoid needing a medical.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Cy Galley - Chair, AirVenture Emergency Aircraft Repair
> >
> >
>




------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sport_Aircraft/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sport_Aircraft/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
Sport_Aircraft-digest@yahoogroups.com
Sport_Aircraft-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
Sport_Aircraft-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/