50+:1 15m sailplanes

If you don't mind the drive to Estrella, my dad is there with his
SparrowHawk right now. Don't know how much longer he will be there
though. His is the bright orange one.

The ultralight thing is an issue for a lot of people. I don't think
anyone has ever proposed that you and yer buddies could haul it around
on a deserted road and figure out how to fly the thing. (hey y'all,
watch this!) The company has always said that the SparrowHawk should
only be flown with adequate training.

As far as getting a tow, the only thing that is usually asked for is
some kind of proof that the pilot is qualified. Without a license and
aerotow sign off, I would expect the pilot would be required to take a
tow with an instructor. Then it would be basically the same as a
student pilot on a solo flight.

Registration is exactly the same as most of the foreign glass that is
flying right now. All ASW-20's for example are factory built planes
that are not certified in the U.S.A. They are registered as
Experimental - Racing for the most part. Same as the SparrowHawks
that are registered.

I definitely am looking forward to getting to Turf. Once I get a
better idea of my plans, I will post a schedule and contact everyone
who has contacted me directly.

Happy flying,
Doug Taylor


Doug, thanks for the excellent response. I fly out of Turf Soaring,
near Phoenix Arizona - and would love the opportunity to see the
Sparrowhawk in action. I'll admit I'm a bit of a sceptic, but from
the reasoned responses from several of you out there it sounds like it
is a nice little glider.

I just wish the whole "ultralight" aspect would go away - that still
scares me. It may be a pretty moot point - I doubt anyone could show
up in an unregistered glider and get a tow at any glider operation I
know of!

One question: how do you buy a factory-built Sparrowhawk and register
it if it isn't certified yet? Or did I miss something. Just curious.

So come on out to Turf and show your stuff - on any weekend there will
be plenty of glass to keep you company on some XC or racing, and a
nice airconditioned clubhouse with cold beer and chicks waiting after
the flight (see Pez, he got it just about right, if you stay you will
have to race!).

Kirk