IFR in motorglider, or any glider

First, read the Glider aircraft
Airworthiness Certificate,
and its
Operating Limitations.

Do all USA airworthiness certificated gliders have
operating limitation
of
Day VFR ?


Dancing on clouds,

Keep it up!

Jim Culp USA
GatorCity

Jim Culp wrote in message ...
First, read the Glider aircraft
Airworthiness Certificate,
and its
Operating Limitations.

Do all USA airworthiness certificated gliders have
operating limitation
of
Day VFR ?

No - my experimental operating limitations include the following

37. After completion of the flight test phase , unless appropriately
equipped for night and/or instrument flight in accordance with 91.205,
this aircraft is to be operated under day-only VFR.


and 91.205 include this:

(d) Instrument flight rules. For IFR flight, the following instruments
and equipment are required:
(1) Instruments and equipment specified in paragraph (b) of this
section, and, for night flight, instruments and equipment specified in
paragraph (c) of this section.
(2) Two-way radio communications system and navigational equipment
appropriate to the ground facilities to be used.
(3) Gyroscopic rate-of-turn indicator, except on the following
aircraft:
(i) Airplanes with a third attitude instrument system usable through
flight attitudes of 360 degrees of pitch and roll and installed in
accordance with the instrument requirements prescribed in Sec.
121.305(j) of this chapter; and
(ii) Rotorcraft with a third attitude instrument system usable through
flight attitudes of 80 degrees of pitch and 120 degrees of roll and
installed in accordance with Sec. 29.1303(g) of this chapter.
(4) Slip-skid indicator.
(5) Sensitive altimeter adjustable for barometric pressure.
(6) A clock displaying hours, minutes, and seconds with a sweep-
second pointer or digital presentation.
(7) Generator or alternator of adequate capacity.
(8) Gyroscopic pitch and bank indicator (artificial horizon).
(9) Gyroscopic direction indicator (directional gyro or equivalent).

The reference to 91.205 is a little confusing though as 91.205 is
titled
Section 91.205: Powered civil aircraft with standard category U.S.
airworthiness certificates: Instrument and equipment requirements.

Clearly I could not meet these requirements in a glider, but they
could easily be met by touring motor gliders.


Andy

Jim Culp wrote in message ...
First, read the Glider aircraft
Airworthiness Certificate,
and its
Operating Limitations.

Do all USA airworthiness certificated gliders have
operating limitation
of
Day VFR ?


My first reply was based on my ASW 28 with experimental certification.
My ASW 19b has a standard airworthness certificate and IFR in this
glider appears to be much more practical.

The type data sheet ref http://members.cox.net/asw19/g36eu.pdf
includes the following statements:

The basic required equipment as prescribed in the applicable
airworthiness regulations
(see Certification basis) must be installed in the glider for standard
airworthiness
certification. In addition the following equipment must be installed:
1) Instruments (Non-Cloud flying):
(i) Airspeed indicator, Winter 6FMS/W 19, or PZL PR-250S/W 19 with
extended
range to 270 km/h., or an FAA-approved equivalent.
(ii) Altimeter.
(iii) Lap and shoulder straps.
2) Additional Instruments for Cloud flying:
(I) Magnetic compass.
(ii) Turn and bank.
(iii) Variometer.



The following placards must be installed in full view of the pilot:
1) "This glider must be operated in compliance with the operating
limitations stated in the form of
placards, markings and manuals."
2) "Cloud flying: Permitted only when the following instruments are
installed:
(1) Airspeed indicator
(2) Altimeter
(3) Turn and bank Indicator
(4) Variometer
(5) Compass."
3) "Acrobatic maneuvers including spins must be accomplished in
accordance with the LBA-approved
Model ASW-19 Flight and Operations Manual. Aerobatics prohibited with
water ballast aboard."
4) "Night flying is prohibited."


I am airplane instrument rated and have often considered putting a
turn and bank in the 19 and going cloud flying in class G airspace. I
don't understand why the experimental limitation on my 28 are so much
more restrictive in terms of required instruments.


Andy