cloud flying regulations

"Andy" wrote:

I researched this years ago and concluded that, as the holder of an
airplane instrument rating and a glider rating, I could fly a suitably
equipped glider in class G airspace, in cloud, without an instrument
flight plan, without a transponder, and without talking to ATC.

Andy,

That is correct. CFAR § 91.173 states that an IFR flight plan and ATC
clearance is only required when operating under IFR in controlled
airspace, and CFAR § 1.1 states that Class G airspace is not
controlled airspace. CFAR § 91.215 doesn't require transponders in
Class G airspace, and gliders are exempt from transponder requirements
above 10,000 feet. But, CFAR § 91.126(d) states that you do require
two-way radio communications with ATC in one rare circumstance.



T o d d P a t t i s t wrote:

That raised the question of whether you could ever get an
IFR clearance in a glider that couldn't hold altitude -
maybe a cruise clearance? The other option seemed to be a
waiver and a Letter of Agreement to get a block of airspace
similar to a wave window. I think the latter would be a
first, but given that glider cloudflying is legal in many
other countries, it might be possible to set it up.

Todd,

A glider can accept a block altitude clearance. While operating VFR, I
routinely receive and accept such clearances from ATC (e.g.
"...maintain block altitude 12,000 to 16,000 feet." I would safely
assume that the same would be true for operating under IFR.

Chris Fleming, F2
El Paso, Texas