T o d d P a t t i s t wrote:

FAR 91.9 applies to "civil aircraft," which includes
gliders. It's true that it references "Airplane or
Rotorcraft Flight Manual" in parts, which does not cover
gliders, but it also references "markings, and placards, or
as otherwise prescribed by the certificating authority of
the country of registry." I've always understood that the
latter applies to gliders.


Hi Todd,

Yes, CFAR § 91.9 (attached below) applies to all civil airdcraft,
including gliders, but any mention of a Flight Manual is specifically
limited to airplanes and rotorcraft, not gliders. And yes,
"...markings, and placards, or as otherwise prescribed by the
certificating authority of the country of registry" would apply to
gliders, but only the "...or as otherwise prescribed by the
certificating authority of the country of registry." (i.e. the
limitations that the FAA issues with an airworthiness certificate)
would specify the required instruments to be IFR legal.

Again, I'm not declaring that my interpretation is final or correct!
I'm hoping that somebody out there can find a reg that says "Chris,
you're wrong!" In Tom Reesor's letter in the August SOARING magazine,
he claimed that gliders flying in clouds are required to have a "full
gyro panel." I want to find where it says that.

According to my glider's flight manual, to be approved for "cloud
flying," the only gyro I require is a "turn & bank indicator with slip
ball." That single instrument is far from the "full gyro panel" Mr.
Reesor claims (e.g. attitude indicator & directional gyro). But since
§ 91.9 doesn't limit gliders to their flight manuals, I assume the FAA
would specify those limitations when they issue a glider's
airworthiness certificate without a VFR-only restriction.

Until then, I'll maintain VFR at all times!
Chris Fleming, F2
El Paso, Texas




CFAR § 91.9 Civil aircraft flight manual, marking, and placard
requirements.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, no person may
operate a civil aircraft without complying with the operating
limitations specified in the approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight
Manual, markings, and placards, or as otherwise prescribed by the
certificating authority of the country of registry.

(b) No person may operate a U.S.-registered civil aircraft-

(1) For which an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is required by
§21.5 of this chapter unless there is available in the aircraft a
current, approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual or the manual
provided for in §121.141(b); and

(2) For which an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is not required
by §21.5 of this chapter, unless there is available in the aircraft a
current approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, approved manual
material, markings, and placards, or any combination thereof.

(c) No person may operate a U.S.-registered civil aircraft unless that
aircraft is identified in accordance with part 45 of this chapter.

(d) Any person taking off or landing a helicopter certificated under
part 29 of this chapter at a heliport constructed over water may make
such momentary flight as is necessary for takeoff or landing through
the prohibited range of the limiting height-speed envelope established
for the helicopter if that flight through the prohibited range takes
place over water on which a safe ditching can be accomplished and if
the helicopter is amphibious or is equipped with floats or other
emergency flotation gear adequate to accomplish a safe emergency
ditching on open water.