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Gliders and Light Sport Gliders

Asked by: 9847 views FAA Regulations, General Aviation, Light Sport Aircraft, Private Pilot

I am 2000 plus hour single engine pilot with a glider rating and a motor glider endorsment.  I do not have a current medical, but I have never had a medical refused. I own and fly a Light Sport Motor Glider( Urbanair Lambada). Two Questions: 1. Am I restricted to flying under Sport Pilot rules or can I fly according to regular motor glider rules? 2. If I were to fail a medical could I still fly the Lambada?  Gliders and regular motor gliders can be flown by pilots who have been denied a medical, if the pilot feels he can do so safely.

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1 Answers



  1. Wesley Beard on Dec 22, 2010

    You are not required to have a medical certificate to pilot a glider so I would imagine you can operate under either set of rules.  If you have been denied a medical certificate you are not allowed to operate under the sport pilot rules but you are allowed to operate under the glider rules.
     
    There is a specific regulation regarding operating a sport pilot or glider rating with a known medical deficiency.  FAR 61.23(c)(2) covers specifically the sport pilots and 61.53 covers gliders and sport pilots.
     
    It’s interesting to me that the regulations that denies a sport pilot to operate an aircraft with a denied medical or no drivers license is not stated for a glider pilot or aeronaut (balloon pilot).  My advice is if you think you are unable to pass a medical certificate exam; you probably shouldn’t fly.

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