Sport Pilot and Glider Questions

"Flying sailplanes as a Sport Pilot would limit you to flights less than
10,000 feet MSL (major problem where I fly) and a sailplane that has a Vne
of less than 120 kts."

Not quite true. There is an exception to flying over 10,000 feet. I recall
it is a maximum clearance. Also, the maximum speed is based upon level
flight operation and is not Vne. It is Vh.

Colin

"COLIN LAMB" wrote in message
ink.net...
Not quite true. There is an exception to flying over 10,000 feet. I
recall
it is a maximum clearance. Also, the maximum speed is based upon level
flight operation and is not Vne. It is Vh.


Colin.

Here are a couple quotes:

Source: http://www.sportpilot.org/nprm/sectional_analysis.html

An unpowered light-sport aircraft (e.g. glider) would have a maximum
never-exceed speed (VNE) of 115 knots, as VH is not applicable. This speed
limitation also limits the commanded kinetic energy of an aircraft flown by
a pilot holding a sport pilot certificate. For a VNE equal to 80% of the
aircraft's structural design limit speed, a 115-knot VNE limit for aircraft
would mean that structural design limits would preclude gliders with a speed
capability in excess of 144 knots from being approved as light-sport
aircraft (144 X .80=115).A light-sport aircraft would have a maximum stall
speed in the landing configuration (VS0) of 39 knots. This value for a
maximum stall speed is a characteristic of low-performance aircraft and
would assist in ensuring that light-sport aircraft possess handling
characteristics commensurate with the training and experience of sport
pilots. It is also consistent with foreign airworthiness standards for
similar performance aircraft.

Source: http://www.sportpilot.org/becoming/

Restrictions on a sport pilot certificate: ....... no flights above
10,000' MSL ......

Am I missing something here?

Respectfully,

Wayne

do you have a source for the exception for over 10,000ft MSL in gliders
under the LSA category?
BT

"COLIN LAMB" wrote in message
ink.net...
"Flying sailplanes as a Sport Pilot would limit you to flights less than
10,000 feet MSL (major problem where I fly) and a sailplane that has a Vne
of less than 120 kts."

Not quite true. There is an exception to flying over 10,000 feet. I
recall it is a maximum clearance. Also, the maximum speed is based upon
level flight operation and is not Vne. It is Vh.

Colin