Wanted Sparrowhawk

I am looking for a Sparrowhawk new/used with or without a trailer.
Immediate cash. I am often asked why do I want one when I have a
DG800B, a Stemme S10-VT and several paragliders. I think the
Sparrowhawk is possibly the most interesting glider development in the
past 10 years and it would complete my stable of enjoyable soaring
machines.
Dave

be careful what you wish for.. it may be difficult to get aero tows at
glider operations, unless they turn their heads to the rules, more and more
people are waking up to the rules.

1) The Sparrowhawk is an ultra light, not a glider
2) It does not have an airworthiness certificate that says it is a glider
3) It does not get an N-number registration
4) Most tow pilots are only certified to tow gliders, see number (1), (2)
and (3) above, to tow ANYTHING else requires special endorsements
5) Most tow insurance is for towing gliders, not ultralights, see number
(1),(2) and (3) above

I always thought the Sparrowhawk was "neat" and was considering one also.
But there are more and more road blocks showing up. Note that the
Sparrowhawk web page does not address the "not a glider but an ultralight"
and "getting a tow" issue, but it does state that they do not "need" (read
"get") an airworthiness certificate.

And if it is an ultra light then you really don't need a "Glider" rating to
fly it.

Like I said, some people who tow either
(1) just don't know they have FAR and Insurance problems when towing an
ultra light
(2) don't care
(3) or they know, and figure the risk is worth the $20-35 tow fee

BT

"David Bingham" wrote in message
om...
I am looking for a Sparrowhawk new/used with or without a trailer.
Immediate cash. I am often asked why do I want one when I have a
DG800B, a Stemme S10-VT and several paragliders. I think the
Sparrowhawk is possibly the most interesting glider development in the
past 10 years and it would complete my stable of enjoyable soaring
machines.
Dave

BTIZ wrote:
be careful what you wish for.. it may be difficult to get aero tows at
glider operations, unless they turn their heads to the rules, more and more
people are waking up to the rules.

1) The Sparrowhawk is an ultra light, not a glider
2) It does not have an airworthiness certificate that says it is a glider
3) It does not get an N-number registration
4) Most tow pilots are only certified to tow gliders, see number (1), (2)
and (3) above, to tow ANYTHING else requires special endorsements
5) Most tow insurance is for towing gliders, not ultralights, see number
(1),(2) and (3) above

I always thought the Sparrowhawk was "neat" and was considering one also.
But there are more and more road blocks showing up. Note that the
Sparrowhawk web page does not address the "not a glider but an ultralight"
and "getting a tow" issue, but it does state that they do not "need" (read
"get") an airworthiness certificate.

But Wait! You CAN get one! Look up N109WP and N40437, two SparrowHawks
that are registered.

Of course, if all you do is get tows at the local gliderport, you aren't
taking advantage of it's light weight.

*Unlike a 700-800 pound glider, it's 350 pound flying weight can be
easily towed by an ultralight aircraft.

*Auto tow, even with a small vehicle, is practical.

*Or get a small winch!

*Bungey launch would be a hoot!

*At the right launch site, a "roll-off" launch would be good.

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

Mark James Boyd wrote:

*Unlike a 700-800 pound glider, it's 350 pound flying weight can be
easily towed by an ultralight aircraft.

*Auto tow, even with a small vehicle, is practical.

Eric Greenwell


Yep, I would imagine that the economy of scale is good for a nice super-long
towrope off a ford pinto :P Or my trusty mazda protege...

Aren't there some real light fishing lines that are 350# test?
Maybe get launched and towed behind a boat? I bet one could
fashion a catamaran into a launch vehicle )PPPP

I'd look at what the hang glider people use to tow and winch with, since
they are launching comparable weights, though probably at slower speeds.
Entering "hang glider winches" into Google brought up some interesting
sites.

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

great Eric !! I had not seen any with N numbers.. how did they get that with
a factory produced glider that had not passed Part 23 testing standards?

I had only seen the "other" literature about the "no need for papers"

BT

"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
...
BTIZ wrote:
be careful what you wish for.. it may be difficult to get aero tows at
glider operations, unless they turn their heads to the rules, more and
more
people are waking up to the rules.

1) The Sparrowhawk is an ultra light, not a glider
2) It does not have an airworthiness certificate that says it is a
glider
3) It does not get an N-number registration
4) Most tow pilots are only certified to tow gliders, see number (1),
(2)
and (3) above, to tow ANYTHING else requires special endorsements
5) Most tow insurance is for towing gliders, not ultralights, see number
(1),(2) and (3) above

I always thought the Sparrowhawk was "neat" and was considering one
also.
But there are more and more road blocks showing up. Note that the
Sparrowhawk web page does not address the "not a glider but an
ultralight"
and "getting a tow" issue, but it does state that they do not "need"
(read
"get") an airworthiness certificate.

But Wait! You CAN get one! Look up N109WP and N40437, two SparrowHawks
that are registered.

Of course, if all you do is get tows at the local gliderport, you aren't
taking advantage of it's light weight.

*Unlike a 700-800 pound glider, it's 350 pound flying weight can be
easily towed by an ultralight aircraft.

*Auto tow, even with a small vehicle, is practical.

*Or get a small winch!

*Bungey launch would be a hoot!

*At the right launch site, a "roll-off" launch would be good.

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

*Unlike a 700-800 pound glider, it's 350 pound flying weight can be
easily towed by an ultralight aircraft.

*Auto tow, even with a small vehicle, is practical.

Eric Greenwell

Yep, I would imagine that the economy of scale is good for a nice super-long
towrope off a ford pinto :P Or my trusty mazda protege...

Aren't there some real light fishing lines that are 350# test?
Maybe get launched and towed behind a boat? I bet one could
fashion a catamaran into a launch vehicle )PPPP

--

------------+
Mark Boyd
Avenal, California, USA

I know a report of one Sparrowhawk that showed up at a commercial operation
for a tow and was denied. He could not produce an airworthy cert that said
it was a glider, nor did he have an N number that I am aware of. Also he did
not bring proof of insurance.

He went to another glider operation and was towed. Is how the report went.
Either the other operator (1) knew him, (2) did not realize to ask the right
questions, it's hard to tell.

BT

"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
...
BTIZ wrote:
be careful what you wish for.. it may be difficult to get aero tows at
glider operations, unless they turn their heads to the rules, more and
more
people are waking up to the rules.

1) The Sparrowhawk is an ultra light, not a glider
2) It does not have an airworthiness certificate that says it is a
glider
3) It does not get an N-number registration
4) Most tow pilots are only certified to tow gliders, see number (1),
(2)
and (3) above, to tow ANYTHING else requires special endorsements
5) Most tow insurance is for towing gliders, not ultralights, see number
(1),(2) and (3) above

I always thought the Sparrowhawk was "neat" and was considering one
also.
But there are more and more road blocks showing up. Note that the
Sparrowhawk web page does not address the "not a glider but an
ultralight"
and "getting a tow" issue, but it does state that they do not "need"
(read
"get") an airworthiness certificate.

But Wait! You CAN get one! Look up N109WP and N40437, two SparrowHawks
that are registered.

Of course, if all you do is get tows at the local gliderport, you aren't
taking advantage of it's light weight.

*Unlike a 700-800 pound glider, it's 350 pound flying weight can be
easily towed by an ultralight aircraft.

*Auto tow, even with a small vehicle, is practical.

*Or get a small winch!

*Bungey launch would be a hoot!

*At the right launch site, a "roll-off" launch would be good.

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

BTIZ wrote:
great Eric !! I had not seen any with N numbers.. how did they get that with
a factory produced glider that had not passed Part 23 testing standards?

I had only seen the "other" literature about the "no need for papers"


I don't know the details, so a call to Greg Cole at Windward Performance
would be best. Or call Dave Stevenson. He flew a SparrowHawk (the
Delaware one, I think) in the Sports Class Nationals last year. It had
to be registered to enter the contest (insurance requirement).
--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

experimental, exhibition and racing, no doubt

"BTIZ" wrote in message
news:9N0ic.19807$432.4599@fed1read01...
great Eric !! I had not seen any with N numbers.. how did they get that
with
a factory produced glider that had not passed Part 23 testing standards?

I had only seen the "other" literature about the "no need for papers"

BT

"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
...
BTIZ wrote:
be careful what you wish for.. it may be difficult to get aero tows at
glider operations, unless they turn their heads to the rules, more and
more
people are waking up to the rules.

1) The Sparrowhawk is an ultra light, not a glider
2) It does not have an airworthiness certificate that says it is a
glider
3) It does not get an N-number registration
4) Most tow pilots are only certified to tow gliders, see number (1),
(2)
and (3) above, to tow ANYTHING else requires special endorsements
5) Most tow insurance is for towing gliders, not ultralights, see
number
(1),(2) and (3) above

I always thought the Sparrowhawk was "neat" and was considering one
also.
But there are more and more road blocks showing up. Note that the
Sparrowhawk web page does not address the "not a glider but an
ultralight"
and "getting a tow" issue, but it does state that they do not "need"
(read
"get") an airworthiness certificate.

But Wait! You CAN get one! Look up N109WP and N40437, two SparrowHawks
that are registered.

Of course, if all you do is get tows at the local gliderport, you aren't
taking advantage of it's light weight.

*Unlike a 700-800 pound glider, it's 350 pound flying weight can be
easily towed by an ultralight aircraft.

*Auto tow, even with a small vehicle, is practical.

*Or get a small winch!

*Bungey launch would be a hoot!

*At the right launch site, a "roll-off" launch would be good.

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
...
BTIZ wrote:
be careful what you wish for.. it may be difficult to get aero tows at
glider operations, unless they turn their heads to the rules, more and
more
people are waking up to the rules.

1) The Sparrowhawk is an ultra light, not a glider
2) It does not have an airworthiness certificate that says it is a
glider
3) It does not get an N-number registration
4) Most tow pilots are only certified to tow gliders, see number (1),
(2)
and (3) above, to tow ANYTHING else requires special endorsements
5) Most tow insurance is for towing gliders, not ultralights, see number
(1),(2) and (3) above

I always thought the Sparrowhawk was "neat" and was considering one
also.
But there are more and more road blocks showing up. Note that the
Sparrowhawk web page does not address the "not a glider but an
ultralight"
and "getting a tow" issue, but it does state that they do not "need"
(read
"get") an airworthiness certificate.

But Wait! You CAN get one! Look up N109WP and N40437, two SparrowHawks
that are registered.

Of course, if all you do is get tows at the local gliderport, you aren't
taking advantage of it's light weight.

*Unlike a 700-800 pound glider, it's 350 pound flying weight can be
easily towed by an ultralight aircraft.

*Auto tow, even with a small vehicle, is practical.

*Or get a small winch!

*Bungey launch would be a hoot!

*At the right launch site, a "roll-off" launch would be good.

--
too right, hg payout winch

Ford built one a few years back