Is a motorglider a "powered aircraft"

Todd... on further personal research... you may be correct..
BT

"T o d d P a t t i s t" wrote in message
...
I'm inclined to disagree with BTIZ and Andy, but I agree
it's an interesting question. I'd ask the Chief Counsel's
Office of the FAA and Lynch.

I'd analyze it this way -

It's well accepted that a motorglider is a "powered
aircraft" at least for the purpose of compliance with FAR
91.205. I believe I've seen other FAR interpretations where
motorgliders are considered to be "powered aircraft," but
not airplanes. As a result, prior to this question, I've
always assumed that the term "powered aircraft" when used in
the FARs always swept in motorgliders.

Thus, we have to decide for the purpose of FAR
61.69 (which says that "no person may act as pilot in
command for towing a glider unless that person: (1) holds at
least a private pilot certificate with a category rating for
powered aircraft") whether a glider rating is a "private
pilot certificate with a category rating for powered
aircraft."

Strange as it may seem, my answer would be yes. A private
pilot with only a glider category rating can legally fly a
motorglider, and a motorglider has always been considered by
the FAA to be a "powered aircraft."

Andy posted that a self launch signoff is not a rating. I
agree, but I think the underlying glider rating qualifies as
a "category rating for powered aircraft" since it legally
allows you to fly a motorglider. Thus, I would say that if
you do not have a self-launch signoff, you could launch by
aerotow, start the engine in the air, and pick up the glider
to be towed by the old flyby ground snatch technique. :-)


"BTIZ" wrote:

I would tend to agree with Andy on this one..

It would be interesting to get an official FAA ruling in writing.

BT

"Andy" wrote in message
roups.com...
Very interesting question and obvious that FAA did not consider towing
with motor gliders when this rule was drafted.

In my opinion, if your pilot certificate says "ratings - glider" then
you do not hold a category rating for powered aircraft. A self launch
endorsement is not a rating. If you were grandfathered, like me, you
wouldn't even have the endorsement. On the other hand if you have a
rating for single engine land you could be qualified to tow, but not to
fly the motor glider. To meet the letter of 61.69 you would need to
rated in gliders and SEL (or other powered aircraft).

The question does not seem to have been asked in the AFS FAQ ref:

http://www.faa.gov/AVR/AFS/AFS800/DOCS/pt61FAQ.doc

Try email to John Lynch for an interpretation (address is in the ref
above)


Andy


Greg K. wrote:
My apologies. I meant to be more specific in request below. I know
the
discussion about a motorglider being "powered aircraft" with regard
to
14 CFR 91.205. I am asking whether a motorglider is a powered
aircraft
with regard to pilot certification. Can a Private Pilot-Glider tow?

Greg