Glider definition (span^2/weight)

"Al Eddie" wrote in message
...
At 12:42 30 April 2007, Wayne Paul wrote:
Al,

In the US formula is used to determine whether a fixed
wing aircraft with an
engine is classified as a glider or as an airplane.

Wayne
HP-14 '6F'
http://www.soaridaho.com/

All very well but, when the engine(s) fail(s), no number
of formulae will ever determine that aircraft to be
anything other than a glider...


True; however, the formula is used to determine it is and therfore what type
rating you must have to fly it when the engine is running.

Al Eddie wrote:
Isn't a glider simply defined as an aircraft with no
motive power..?

Any aircraft can become a 'glider', whereas a sailplane
is a glider built specifically for soaring.

What a motorglider is, I have no idea...

One reason it can be important to know
the precise definition of a motorglider(and Wayne
has provided the correct definition),
is for pilot licensing. One can legally
pilot a "motorglider" with just a glider
certificate with a self-launch endorsement.

--
Doug via Treo handheld


--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

On Apr 30, 11:06 am, "Wayne Paul" wrote:

True; however, the formula is used to determine it is and therfore what type
rating you must have to fly it when the engine is running.

That may explain why many airplane engine failure incidents turn out
badly. Airplane rated pilot flying an airplane loses engine. Pilot
is no longer rated to fly since it is now a glider. Pilot, in fear of
FAA reprisal, releases the controls and becomes a passenger.

If only he had known that the aircraft category had nothing to do with
whether the engine was running or not he might have survived.

Andy