"Wayne Paul" wrote
Todd,

If my memory serves me correctly it is not a wing-loading limitation. It
is
a number that is computed by dividing the gross weight by wing-span
squared.
I wonder where the FAA came up with that calculation and its'
aero-dynamics
significance?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
A “powered glider” has specific Type Certification Criteria.
In FAA Advisory Circular 21.17-2A, these criteria are listed:
The maximum WEIGHT does not exceed 1874 pounds (850 kilograms).
The maximum SPAN LOADING (weight to wing span squared) does not exceed 0.62
pounds per square foot (3.0 kg / square meter).
The number of occupants does not exceed two.

I had previously clipped this.
--
Jim in NC