On Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 7:11:14 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Why does this question keep coming up on r.a.s.. A motorglider of any type is a *glider*. There is no mystery here.

This conversation is about rule 91.205. There is no mention of 'glider' in that rule.

Ah indeed you are right, and this exact point with 91.205 has come up on r.a.s. before, and as pointed out here in the past by others AC-21.17-2A precisely covers this.

http://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/m...c_21.17-2a.pdf

Directly from that AC:

"Section 91.205 of the FAR. Powered gliders are considered to be powered aircraft for the purpose of complying with § 91.205 "

So to your point, except there is no flexibility here with no difference between a retracting engine self-launcher and touring motorglider etc. (and note as made very clear in this AC sustainers are also "powered gliders").