Experimental LSA gliders?

Hi Gang
Having a LSA power plane and in reviewing the proposed new
experimental certifications (FAA Order 8130.2F) which includes gliders
left me very puzzled. Why would anyone register a glider or motor
glider as an experimental or standard light sport aircraft (LSA)
although 8130.2F specifically includes them? The reason for
registering a power plane as a LSA is that no medical is required,
only a valid driving license, with the caveat that one is never denied
a medical. A glider or motor glider, whether registered as standard or
experimental, does not require the pilot to have a medical PERIOD. So
what am I missing? I am confused! Can anyone educate me please or is
this bureaucratic BS.
Dave

The main benefit would probably be with a special light sport glider
like the TST -14 or Urban Air Lambada. If someone wanted to buy one
and either use it for personal use or giving rides/instruction they
could do their own maintenance including annuals and 100 hour
inspections after taking an 80 hour maintenance course. That would
give someone freedom from an A&P or IA if they chose to do so.

The light sport gives many benefits besides skipping out on a medical.
The main benefit is being able to try different types of aircraft
without having to drop so much money. Once you have your first rating
you can try out anything else that fits into light sport. That
includes airplane and weight shift - land and sea, glider, powered
parachute, rotorcraft (gyro), and lighter than air. You just have to
become proficient in the new category/class and your instructor will
sign you off to take a proficiency check with another instructor. No
examiner or minimum times.

If someone wanted to transition into gliders from another class they
would be pretty limited since they made it a Vne of 120kts and gross
weight of 1,320 lbs. The Vne limits a lot of gliders and they'd
probably be stuck in Schweizers (nothing wrong with that per se).

Anyone know of operations giving instruction in LSA gliders or towards
the rating?

On Feb 17, 7:13 pm, wrote:
The main benefit would probably be with a special light sport glider
like the TST -14 or Urban Air Lambada. If someone wanted to buy one
and either use it for personal use or giving rides/instruction they
could do their own maintenance including annuals and 100 hour
inspections after taking an 80 hour maintenance course. That would
give someone freedom from an A&P or IA if they chose to do so.

The light sport gives many benefits besides skipping out on a medical.
The main benefit is being able to try different types of aircraft
without having to drop so much money. Once you have your first rating
you can try out anything else that fits into light sport. That
includes airplane and weight shift - land and sea, glider, powered
parachute, rotorcraft (gyro), and lighter than air. You just have to
become proficient in the new category/class and your instructor will
sign you off to take a proficiency check with another instructor. No
examiner or minimum times.

If someone wanted to transition into gliders from another class they
would be pretty limited since they made it a Vne of 120kts and gross
weight of 1,320 lbs. The Vne limits a lot of gliders and they'd
probably be stuck in Schweizers (nothing wrong with that per se).

Anyone know of operations giving instruction in LSA gliders or towards
the rating?

The LSA max cruise speed is limited to 120 knots at any altitude up
to 10k feet msl (LSA rated pilot only) not VNE which is not defined.
For home built
gliders and powered aircraft both within the experimental categories
including but not limited to LSA experimental, constructors can do
their own annuals
after they have taken and passed a course. I still don't see an
advantage to register as a LSA except if it is a POWERED aircraft (not
glider
or motor glider) and there is a question concerning your medical.
I am told that insurance companies are becoming reluctant to issue
insurance policies to LSA pilots without medicals. I still have my
medical so it is not yet an issue for me.
Dave

wrote in message
...
On Feb 17, 7:13 pm, wrote:

The LSA max cruise speed is limited to 120 knots at any altitude up
to 10k feet msl (LSA rated pilot only) not VNE which is not defined.

Has the unpowered LSA (Glider) regs been change from a VNE limit of 120 Kts?
I know powered LSA have a Cruise limit of 120 kts. However, the last time I
checked, LSA (Glider) limit was still a VNE of 120 Kts. Has reason
prevailed a the Vne limit been removed? If so, could you please give me a
reference?

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

"Wayne Paul" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
...
On Feb 17, 7:13 pm, wrote:

The LSA max cruise speed is limited to 120 knots at any altitude up
to 10k feet msl (LSA rated pilot only) not VNE which is not defined.

Has the unpowered LSA (Glider) regs been change from a VNE limit of 120
Kts? I know powered LSA have a Cruise limit of 120 kts. However, the last
time I checked, LSA (Glider) limit was still a VNE of 120 Kts. Has
reason prevailed a the Vne limit been removed? If so, could you please
give me a reference?

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

According to the following link, glider are still limited to a Vne of 120
kts.
http://www.sportpilot.org/learn/sp_rule.pdf

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

On Feb 17, 9:51 pm, "Wayne Paul" wrote:
"Wayne Paul" wrote in message

...



wrote in message
...
On Feb 17, 7:13 pm, wrote:

The LSA max cruise speed is limited to 120 knots at any altitude up
to 10k feet msl (LSA rated pilot only) not VNE which is not defined.

Has the unpowered LSA (Glider) regs been change from a VNE limit of 120
Kts? I know powered LSA have a Cruise limit of 120 kts. However, the last
time I checked, LSA (Glider) limit was still a VNE of 120 Kts. Has
reason prevailed a the Vne limit been removed? If so, could you please
give me a reference?

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

According to the following link, glider are still limited to a Vne of 120
kts.http://www.sportpilot.org/learn/sp_rule.pdf

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

Hi Gang
I stand corrected. You all are right a LSA glider is limited to 120
knots
VNE (SparrowHawk 123 knots) and a max stall speed of 45 knots.
Surely these are yet more reasons to never register a glider in
the LSA category. There are no speed limitations for a glider
(non powered ultra light vehicle!) in Part 103 nor for regular
gliders.
OK Guys and Gals convince me - give me a single reason, just a
single rational reason to register a glider as a LSA despite the
multitude of reasons not to do so.
Dave