On Oct 17, 2:04*pm, John Cochrane wrote:
§ 61.58 * Pilot-in-command proficiency check: Operation of an aircraft
that requires more than one pilot flight crewmember or is turbojet-
powered.

We could almost argue that since it is a glider, it is not a "turbojet-
powered aircraft." *An engine in a glider is used as a launch method,
not "power," as if it had the latter it would be an "airplane"

Maybe too clever......The jet sustainers certainly hinge on the
outcome here

John Cochrane

Not much use trying to apply logic to this. FAA has, for some bizare
reason decided that turbojets and turbofans require some special skill
set. In fact, modern electronically controlled turbojets and
turbofans are incredibly simple to operate as compared to recips with
manually controlled propeller pitch, fuel flow, cooling, and starting.

The only reason to assume turbofans and tubojets require a special
skill set is that they are typically higher performance that recips.
Perhaps the main reason to oppose the rule is that a turbojet equipped
self launch, or sustainer, glider has no higher performance than the
same glider without the motor. The Vne is no greater and the climb
rate under power is far less than can be achieved on a winch launch or
even behind a high powered tug.

Even if an exemption is granted, I suspect that the current
requirement for a type rating will kill any introduction of turbojet
powered gliders in USA. Again the FAA failed to understand that a
turbojet is far easier to manage, and likely far more reliable, than a
recip.

Andy