FES selflaunch

Originally Posted by bildan

On Feb 27, 7:13*pm, Darryl Ramm wrote:


Because its not a ASEL aircraft. What do you would think would happen
if you set loose a typical power pilot in a self launch motorglider?

What would happen if you set him loose in a sea plane, a twin or a
jet? It's at least arguable the skill gap between single engine land
and any of those is comparable to that between a pure glider and a
self-launcher yet they each require a specific rating.

Some motorgliders easily approach the complexity and work load of
flying a light twin.

I think Walt has a good question.

Bill Daniels

I think my point was missed. I am not opposed to the glider pilot having an engine, I was curious as to how one got around the ASEL situation. In my mind if you put an engine on and glider it becomes an ASEL. Take the pure motor glider with an engine hanging on the nose. Could an ASEL pilot check out in one and fly it legally? Perhaps a light sport pilot could do the same? Sure these things are gonna float like no conventional ASEL would but I'm just asking a question. I need to check the regs on this for myself when I get the chance but I realize this forum contains a plethora of information.

I have a commercial rating for both airplanes and gliders so I think I see both sides of the equation. In my mind, the glider pilot's skill is greater than an equivalent time ASEL type. I learned things I never knew and developed greater skills in flying than I had when I transitioned from power to gliders., But when an ASEL type want to fly a multi, he is required to get a multi engine rating and it appears on his license. Same with seaplane and other different types of ratings. I believe the endorsement is all that is required of a glider pilot for a motor glider, am I right?

For the record I have seen a high time, highly experienced power and glider pilot make a major blunder with his motor out. Scared the crappola out of me and I was standing on the ground at the time. The bottom line is that proper training and check outs are everything.

Walt