Originally Posted by
Bob Dingley
What works for me may not work for others. I would like to fly without bothering with FAA medical certification. I have commercial privileges for gliders, so I choose a "self launching glider" AKA motor glider as my dream ride.You don't even need the driver's license for medical cerification as LSAs do. See FAR 61.23 b & c. Yes, you still need a picture ID.
Motor gliders have significant advantages over Light Sport aircraft: Variable pitch full feathering props are common. No speed limits, No weight limits, No altitude limits. Lower age limits. No prohibitions on night flights or IFR if equiped and PIC is current. Glider pilots are authorized to use airplane instrument ratings. Fortunately I have that plus a helo Instrument rating.
An import from Slovenea, the Pipistrel Virus caught my eye. There are several dealers in the US uncluding here in Florida. They are available as kits or ready to fly. LSA airplanes or motor gliders. 41 foot span or "short wing" 35 foot span. Tri-gear or TD. with or without tundra tires. This aircraft is a two time winner of the NASA Challange. Won 5 out of 7 catagories. Best in MPG, 2nd in speed to worlds fastest RV-4, CAFE efficiency and shortest runway. Very clean. Its a glider after all. The prop makes it a near STOL for T.O. The spoilers and flaps make it near STOL for landing. It would only need half of my 1450' farm strip. It can carry a usfull load almost equal its 650# EW. ROC is 1600. Cruises 147 Knots. (I flight planned a Mooney MK 21 at 145) Vne is 165 KTS. Roll rate 45 deg to 45 deg is 1.9 sec thanks to full span flaperons. Load tested to +7G
Well equipped RTF price is 2/3 of a Skycatcher. The QB kit is less. One other thing. You could feather the prop and have the right of way in the traffic pattern.
Bob