"Wayne Paul" wrote

There are many single engine experimental airplanes that don't meet
certification requirements that are flown by licensed pilots.

Agreed.

But how about a glider rated pilot flying something that is an experimental,
that is supposed to be capable of being a glider? I would think that as a
glider only pilot, what I fly, better be a glider.

Please remember that by FAA definition, a glider is a heavier-than-air
aircraft
supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its'
lifting
surfaces and whose free flight does not depend principally on an engine.
Meet this definition and you can call the thing you built a glider.

You would have a lot better chance of calling it a glider, if it met the
certified definition of a glider, no?

Gliders are launched in one of three methods; snip following

Yes, I am aware of the methods.

If you fly over half the time with your engine on, it would be hard to
argue
that you are meeting the FAA's basic definition of a glider. Be careful
if
you are think of calling something a glider simply to avoid the FAA
Physical
requirements.

If I go this route, have no doubt that I will not be *just* calling it a
glider, but it will meet every definition of a glider, and might even act
like one, too. That is why the interest in the definition of a certified
glider. I also would like to be able to operate from a boat ramp, or lake,
since I really like the water, and my folks live at a lake.

The FAA isn't up there with me, is it? g Besides, I might just be really
crappy at finding lift, right? g

Really, I have not done any soaring, but it sounds fun to me. I love
sailing, and it seems the two would be have many familiarities, I would
think.

I would like to punch holes in the sky, sometimes, and go places, sometimes.
There are people out there everywhere, picking carefully at the FAA regs,
finding what they want to find in them, and avoiding what they want.

Respectfully,
Wayne

P.S. Last post on this subject.

Thanks for your insights on the subject, and from you posts, I see you do a
bit of soaring, also?

I think the only real answer I will get, will be the "opinion" I get from
the local FSDO. After all, if it is an experimental, they will be the final
word of record.
--
Jim in NC