This is simple. The device in question is not an ultralight vehicle, it's not covered by FAR Part 103, and it's not even within the jurisdiction of the FAA. It has a big ol' motor, it weighs thousands of pounds and it does not leave the ground. The fact that a piece of it is subject to aerodynamic forces is not relevant. Feel free to operate the Flight Deck in the dark, inside of Class B airspace, and inside clouds (although please use prudence in that last case). The relevant regulations are the ones that pertain to roads (operating this on a public highway would likely be a problem).
Thanks for sharing this jjcote! After looking at class F airspace (since it mentions D.O.T), this could be a better fit to pursue? Since the location I currently use is also restricted.
I've always wanted to get permission to do a sponsored fund raiser, for the longest tow using the Flight Deck. Say...S.F. to LA along hwy 5. We would however have to use the "WIDE LOAD" signs on the vehicle. I know...it's a bad idea and can only bring more attention to our sport!
Driving a wide-load vehicle from SF to LA on Hwy 5 at 25 mph would... annoy a lot of other motorists... _________________ H4 + various skills (only foot-launch so far)
WW UltraSport 147, WW Falcon2 170, PacAir Vision Mark IV 17
My HG wiki profile and my flying blog
Just out of curiosity, how many of you have ever done it?
I don’t mean staying up a bit late to watch the sunset, but, how many have flown through a full on, night dark sky full of stars, with the Earth below illuminated by naught but a brilliant full moon……………………..I have.
Torrey Pines is so beautiful when seen in silverlight.
See "Moonlight" in the story section... _________________ Bamboo Bomber –Freeflight 17 ft STD – Cal Gliders Moth 18 ft STD - Cal Gliders 19X16 Short Keel - UP Dragonfly – Cal Gliders WindGypsy Mk 4 – Quicksilver M -Twenty years later… Wills Wing Falcon- Altair Saturn 167, Predator142. I'm getting old(er) Attack Falcon 170...
We use a trailer platform like this. We refer to it as a flight simmulator. The glider is firmly attached to the trailer. It is a safe way to build a new pilots confidense in weight shift control. Being that the glider never comes unattached from the trailer, i dont think you should call it flying. I can speed the truck up and you can take your hands off the control bar and the glider will lock into position straight and level 15 inches off the floor that does NOT move under you. I can take the limited controls away from you. The evening air is smooth and perfect for this. I have never done this after dark, but what a great idea. ITS A SIMMULATOR!!! Attached to a 3000 lb. trailer its to heavy to be a part 103 ultralight. We have put over weight, out of shape, executives in the harnes and they feel the glider on the very first pass and smile and laugh the entire time. Its a truely amazing method of introduction to hang gliding for the masses and wanabe pilots.
We use a mile long unlit runway. No planes, no tower.
Way to go, HG!
'nough said _________________ Sphinx La Mouette, Boomerang XM 147 tecma, new old Speed UP, Vertigo Seedwings and a Mosquito harness for those no wind days!
Just out of curiosity, how many of you have ever done it?
I don’t mean staying up a bit late to watch the sunset, but, how many have flown through a full on, night dark sky full of stars, with the Earth below illuminated by naught but a brilliant full moon……………………..I have.
Torrey Pines is so beautiful when seen in silverlight.
See "Moonlight" in the story section...
A group of us in our earlier days used to do it very often. Back in the early 80's I use to live in Caracas where there is abig mountain "el Avila" to the north from where you can fly to the city or to the beach on the opposite side. It was illegal to fly over the city during the day but "the authrorities" woul not notice us at night. It was a great flight. Some times it was only a pleasant and scenic sled-ride over the city lights and sometimes it was also soarable. One of those night flights was actually my first soaring flight.
The following picture is from the "to the city" takeoff (not at night) Can any of the old timers recognize the glider?
Everybody knows that flying at night (ie. not flight simulation) is illegal and dangerous... even if there is a clear sky and bright full moon to light your way.
The following picture is from the "to the city" takeoff (not at night) Can any of the old timers recognize the glider?
Hmmm It is got trunked tips, my first guess was a UP Dragon Fly, but the sail is too flat. Didn’t they make a trunked tipped wing named the Cumulus? By the time 80s rolled around, I had drifted back out into the desert so I was out of touch with flying. I could not afford a new (or used for that matter) wing. Had to kill mine so that I would stop flying it. Killing my glider messed with my head. I cut my hair, stopped doing drugs and got a job. And, what did all that get me?
Married that's what... Oh crap! _________________ Bamboo Bomber –Freeflight 17 ft STD – Cal Gliders Moth 18 ft STD - Cal Gliders 19X16 Short Keel - UP Dragonfly – Cal Gliders WindGypsy Mk 4 – Quicksilver M -Twenty years later… Wills Wing Falcon- Altair Saturn 167, Predator142. I'm getting old(er) Attack Falcon 170...
The following picture is from the "to the city" takeoff (not at night) Can any of the old timers recognize the glider?
Hmmm It is got trunked tips, my first guess was a UP Dragon Fly, but the sail is too flat. Didn’t they make a trunked tipped wing named the Cumulus? By the time 80s rolled around, I had drifted back out into the desert so I was out of touch with flying. I could not afford a new (or used for that matter) wing. Had to kill mine so that I would stop flying it. Killing my glider messed with my head. I cut my hair, stopped doing drugs and got a job. And, what did all that get me?
Married that's what... Oh crap!
That picture is actually more like late 70s (78?). The glider is an UP Spyder which I believe was the next model after the dragonfly. Aaah the good old times!.
Just out of curiosity, how many of you have ever done it?
I don’t mean staying up a bit late to watch the sunset, but, how many have flown through a full on, night dark sky full of stars, with the Earth below illuminated by naught but a brilliant full moon……………………..I have.
Torrey Pines is so beautiful when seen in silverlight.
See "Moonlight" in the story section...
Might have been right there with you Cal. Full moon, onshore wind hitting the cliff face, elevator ride at launch, just you and a few friends.
The big decision was, go north or south. _________________ H-4 (1976) UP Saturn 147 & UP Axis 13
The Cloudbase Foundation
Learn to fly hang gliders (click here}
Torrey Hawks #208
If the glider is tethered to to the trailer, such that it can't go beyond the bounds of the platform, it is not technically flying, its taxiing. Get a life and let some peeps have fun already!
Here's what It looked like the week I offered full moon flights. Flying past dark is very disorientating! Even on the Flight Deck simulator. If flying past sunset/after dark is prohibited with a simulator, flood lights, and tower lights (to light up the runway) I haven't found the rule that says it can't be done. I'm still looking...The duration record at Makapu point, was flown well into the evening, morning, day, evening, etc...I'm always looking for solutions to problems. Yesterday was well over 100 degrees in the valley. I flew a couple of intro pilots mid-day. After taking off the training harnesses...They were soaked in sweat! And they didn't have to hike up and down a hill.
Outstanding Rich ! _________________ H-4 (1976) UP Saturn 147 & UP Axis 13
The Cloudbase Foundation
Learn to fly hang gliders (click here}
Torrey Hawks #208
Yesterday was well over 100 degrees in the valley. I flew a couple of intro pilots mid-day. After taking off the training harnesses...They were soaked in sweat!
Perhaps you could mount a swamp cooler or mister just behind the cab of the truck- of course, It would mean finding a place to add a water tank...
If you craft is constrained to operate within 10 feet of the ground than it is by definition a ground effect vehicle and the FAA has stated they have no jurisdiction over GEV's. Here is an excerpt from a company called Mollar that is developing a ground effect vehicle
"We do not anticipate a requirement for a private pilots license to operate the M200G. It is constrained to an altitude of about 10 feet above the ground, and therefore falls into the classification of a ground effect vehicle. The FAA has stated that it is not going to take authority for regulating these kinds of vehicles, but constraining a vehicle to ground effect operation, even though it is capable of flying much higher, is a unique application of operation under the FAA’s ground effect category. "
My take is that if your hang glider is constrained below 10 feet AGL it is a GEV and in fact is flying in ground effect. As long as the local authorities buy this definition in my opinion you are doing nothing wrong. If you could take a very small hang glider and a very heavy person and a mosquito harness that had such a week engine that it could not climb above 10 feet out of ground effect you could call it a GEV and the part 103 rules would not apply. Anyone can build and fly a GEV without the FAA having any jurisdiction over it.
So start calling this a "GEV platform simulating a hang glider" not a hang glider
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