"plasticguy" wrote in message
...

"Michael McNulty" wrote in message
news:Wkayc.11473$fZ1.2212@fed1read03...
You're inventing the stuff inside your parens. The Sparrowhawk meets
the
explicit legal definition of "GLIDER" given in the FARs.



Hi Mike.
Please read this to cover a part 103 Sparrowhawk, not a part 23/91
Sparrowhawk, which is a normal "sailplane" as we recognise them.

I put the stuff in parens because I wrote it. But that doesn't mean that
it is incorrect. Far part 1 defines a glider as something that flys that
is
unpowered. It makes no references to certified or non-certified. So yes,
the
Sparrowhawk is a glider in broad terms. NOW about it being covered as
a towable object under far 91.309. I contend that it isn't. That's
because
all of Part 91 is written around certified aircraft. The reference to
glider found in 91.309
is constrained by the definitions in part 91 that limit its scope to
certified aircraft.


The Sparrowhawk is a glider in the legal language of the FAA. Any reference
that says "glider", not "certified glider" or aircraft includes the
Sparrowhawk. The word "aircraft" is never used to reference the towed
glider in this section. The gotcha, however, would seem to be that the tow
line strength is tied to the "maximum certificated weight of the glider".
The 155 lbs might be construed to be this weight, but perhpas not.

Part 91.309 regulates the (certified) towing aircraft, it does regulate the
towed aircraft, or it's pilot, except for the requirement to an agreed upon
course of action.

See the limitations in 91.203 that say all aircraft operated must have a
certificate of
airworthiness. Registration is also required.
Now since the Sparrowhawk under part 103 is specifically excluded from
part
91
in 91.1 you cannot apply 91.309 to it. SSSOOO 91.311 becomes the FAR in
play
if you wish to tow it. This specifically states that a WAIVER IS
REQUIRED.

I hope this removes any lack of clarity.

No, 91.311 does not apply because the Sparrowhawk is, legally in the FARs, a
glider.


Scott.


I'm not a lawyer, FAA official, or administrative law judge; I don't know if
you are or not. But I see nothing in the FARs that prohibits a certified
aircraft from towing the Sparrowhawk glider. On the other hand, if I
actually ran a towing operation I would ask the FAA for a written
confirmation of this point.

I don't own a Sparrowhawk or a tow plane. I'm going flying.