Mark James Boyd wrote:

Being cheaper and less hassle has nothing to do with it? C'mon...
....
I would expect that some
potential power pilots are glider pilots in Germany because of less
expense and hassle. A winch launch and then a free landing in
an open field sounds better than lots of $$$$ and scheduling.

Actually, it's the other way round. Gliding is *much* more hassle than
flying noisemakers. Nevertheless, many pilots in our club have had a
power license, too. Most of them let it expire and fly gliders only,
despite the hassle. It's simply more fun.

You're correct in one point: Power flying is expensive in Europe, and
soaring is cheaper. But then, we don't want to occupy foreign countries
to secure a cheap oil supply, and Kyoto means something to us.

You are correct that I was mixing terminology. I should have
simply asked "is there some altitude above which radios are
required overseas?"

Depends on the country. In my region, ist's 10'000 ft AMSL over flat
land and 15'000 ft AMSL or 2000 ft AGL (whichever is higher) over the
mountains. This is enough except if you want to enter wave, which
doesn't happen too often.

I think the definition of "controlled airspace" is best avoided,
since in the US it doesn't directly concern radios ("E" airspace,
for example).

Got me!

Stefan