Wayne,

I think right near the limit there is leeway as to what to
certify it. I also could see someone lowering the factory
recommended gross weight a tiny bit as needed, especially
if the pilot/owner is a bit lighter.

Beyond that, whether something is "supported in flight
by the dynamic reaction of the air against its lifting surfaces
and whose free flight does not depend principally on an engine"
is a loose call. Cessna 182 pilots have soared the Sierra
wave, right? If they do it more than 50% of the time, does
that make it a glider?

I'm not going to call it right or wrong. But it is possible,
and it will happen again that a Quicksilver will be a glider.
Will there be a dozen or a thousand? I guess we'll see
in the next decade or so...

In article ,
Wayne Paul wrote:
This talk about the Quicksilver becoming a certified glider got my
attention.

Isn't a glider defined as: "A fixed-wing aircraft specially designed to
glide, or to glide and soar."

FAA AC 21.17-2A "Type Certification --- Fixed Wing Gliders (Sailplanes),
Including Powered Gliders." indicates that powered gliders are aircraft for
which the number of occupants does not exceed two, the maximum weight does
not exceed 1,874 pounds, and the maximum weight-to-wing span squared does
not exceed 0.62 lb/ft^2.

Well the Quicksilver is definitely less then 1,874 lbs.; however, the
Quicksilver web site (http://www.quicksilveraircraft.com/sport.htm) states
that the Quicksilver's wing span is 28 feet and max takeoff weight is 525
lbs. That makes the wings squared equal 784 ft^2. When divided into 525
lbs you end up with 0.67 lb/ft^2. Not much over weight; however,
overweight.

In conclusion, I don't think the Quicksilver meets the basic definition of a
glider and is too heavy to be certified as such. Of course, when you get
into the "amateur built" airworthiness arena, the aircraft is experimental
and, as such, is what every the builder says it is. If the inspector will
go along with you. (I have seen a Windrose motor gliders licensed as
airplanes. I believe this was done so the builder could avoid having to get
a glider rating.)

Respectfully,
Wayne
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder


"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
...
Mark James Boyd wrote:



Could there be a rash of accidents in Quicksilver gliders that
might damage the sport of gliding as a whole? Require transponders
and ELTs in all gliders? Perhaps. But I don't see this.

*******Transponders become mandatory?*******

If transponders (especially mode S) and ELTs end up becoming mandated
in gliders, I don't see the Quicksilver gliders being the cause.

It would depend on the numbers, I think. A few hundred won't enlarge the
number "gliders" flying, and hence the increased risk of causing a
serious accident that would be attributed to a glider are small. But if
a few thousand become "gliders"...

Any idea of the numbers we might be talking about? How many Quicksilver
type aircraft are there out there?


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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA




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Mark J. Boyd