Question about SpaceShipOne...

In article ,
Bruce Hoult wrote:
In article ,
Eric Greenwell wrote:

So, what kind of log book endorsement do you need for a "drop launch"
from an airplane? It's not aerotow, ground launch, or self-launch, so
maybe a waiver is needed from the FAA?

As I undestand it, in the USA you can use any launch method you like
unless your license is endorsed. So if your license says "aerotow only"
then that's all you can do, but if you are rated for both aerotow and
ground launch and therefore have no endorsement then you could do air
drop too.

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Bruce | 41.1670S | \ spoken | -+-
Hoult | 174.8263E | /\ here. | ----------O----------

As of 1997, it seems endorsements were required to self-launch,
ground launch, or aerotow. But no prohibitions of other techniques
are in the regs (such as drop-launch or slope launch/pushed off
of a hill). The restriction on glider licenses requiring a
check-ride to remove was discontinued in 1997 in favor of
the endorsement option by a CFI. It's much easier to get a
CFI endorsement than find a DPE qualified to do this...

But again, if solo and with some pilots license already, an experimental
doesn't require cat/class of the pilot.

So someone with a PPL/ballon LTA would be legal in the USA.
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Mark J. Boyd