On 4/22/2016 9:08 AM, Bruce Hoult wrote:
In any case, what is to prevent you from simply re-placarding your glider to a 120 knot Vne?

Because the FAA already thought of that dodge! Notice the words "since
its original certification" in the excerpt below.

"Light-sport aircraft means an aircraft, other than a helicopter or
powered-lift that, since its original certification, has continued to
meet the following:"

Now if you are certifying a new glider, I see nothing stopping you from
doing something like that. In fact, I think it happens every day in the
Light Sport world. That explains how they can sell a 2-seat Light Sport
airplane that (on paper) has barely enough useful load to carry one
USA-sized pilot. Obviously there is an official gross weight, and
another, higher "wink wink" gross weight.