writes:

Mxsmanic wrote:
writes:

A take off is a take off.

So why is someone with only a license to fly an airplane not allowed to take
off in a helicopter?

Non sequitur.

On the contrary, it illustrates the fact that a takeoff is not a takeoff. A
takeoff in a helicopter is very different from that in an airplane, which is
one reason why a license to fly the latter is not a license to fly the former.

In a powered aircraft, the engine fails, you establish best glide and
look for a place to land.

In a glider, the tow engine fails, you release the tow rope, establish best
glide and look for a place to land.

Yep, totally different.

Look at the best glide performance for the two aircraft and you'll see why.

I'm not familiar with best practices for glides, but I'd expect an attempt to
turn around to be a bad idea for them as well. It's certainly a bad idea for
a powered airplane.