In article s4sxb.11223$ML6.10295@fed1read01,
BTIZ wrote:
Mark.. could you further explain? the "getting around the regs"

I agree that a power rated pilot can fly aa Blanik L-13 glider with just a
glider instructors endorsement, however he cannot carry passengers as PIC in
the glider and AFAIK the endorsement is only good for 90 days.

please provide FARs you refer to that allow anything more than the above.
61.31(k)(2)(iii)...assume the Blanik is experimental


Yes.. Grob109s are motor "gliders" and as such do not require a medical
certificate. They do require a "glider rating certificate with self launch
endorsement" to fly as PIC and carry passengers.
Absolutely true. My point was that Sport Pilot doesn't require
a medical either.


Again AFAIK, an airplane rated pilot with a "solo glider endorsement" (must
state "self launch") is not qualified to carry passengers with out the FAA
checkride to add the "glider rating", an instructor can endorse for "method
of launch", either tow, ground (winch/auto) or self launch.
"not qualified to carry passengers in an aircraft with a non-experimental
glider airworthiness certificate" is more accurate.

In the reverse case, a local glider pilot asked our FSDO if it
would be OK to change his Piper Cub from a standard airplane
airworthiness certificate to an experimental glider (self-launch,
of course). He got the rather bland response "if the purpose
of the aircraft was for gliding..." He did not follow through
for other reasons, however.

My point was just that there are significant loopholes for
pilots who wish to find them, and the FAA is perfectly content
to be permissive when there is no significant threat to safety...

"Mark James Boyd" wrote in message
news:3fc64865$1@darkstar...
mark wrote:

"Mark James Boyd" wrote in message
The US Sport Pilot initiative seems like it will be
fully approved in less than another year.

(we've been hearing this for several years now....snicker, snicker)

An excellent point. Look up "glider-trike" on google,
or read the US regs on non-glider pilots flying experimental
two seaters (like the Blanik), or notice that the Grob 109
has been used to get around the medical requirements, or
check out the regs for ultralight pilots through EAA, or
look at the "looseness" of experimental airworthiness
certificates (the builder gets to choose what category
and class).

Sneaky US pilots have been jumping from
airplane to "glider" legally for a while now with
nothing close to an "examiner or inspector" checking
their transition skills.

So will Sport Pilot come to fruition, or will
continued sneakiness be the norm? Hope springs
eternal...