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Sport
Pilot & Powered Paragliding
We get this question a lot:
Do powered paragliders fall under sport pilot? What about the tandem
exemption? Here are some answers to these questions along with
interpretation of rules that are being defined. As of Feb 1, 2008 the
exemptions have expired. We are working with the FAA to remedy the
situation.
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What
is NOT included in Sport Pilot
Nov
27,
2006, Revised Feb 1, 2008 | FAA contents and links current as of this
date
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| We've lost a valuable training tool for powered paraglider instruction.
Fortunately, the
FAA has indicated a willingness to redress the issue to prevent our sport
from becoming less safe. But they cannot
exempt anything that falls
under the Sport Pilot (SP) rule.
Single-place powered paragliders do not
fall under SP. As long as the unit qualifies as an ultralight, which
any solo PPG does easily, it's FAR 103 legal. Same with solo wheeled units
as long as they meet Part 103 requirements. Two-place foot-launched
powered paragliders are also not part of Sport Pilot (SP) and can only be
flown under an
exemption. That is the exemption we seek. A foot launched tandem clearly has
no "fuselage" nor are there any landing gear. So it clearly doesn't
meet the definition of a powered parachute (see below) and is therefore
excluded from SP. For
two-place wheel-launched operations, things get more complex.
It's safe to say that any craft having a frame onto which the motor and wing mounts qualifies as a Powered Parachute under SP. But what about those craft where
the pilot uses the paramotor harness and a cart attachment? Does sport pilot
include them?
Here's the FAA's
definition
of a Powered Parachute:
A "Powered
parachute means a powered aircraft comprised of a flexible or semi-rigid
wing connected to a fuselage so that the wing is not in position for
flight until the aircraft is in motion. The fuselage of a powered
parachute contains the aircraft engine, a seat for each occupant and is
attached to the aircraft's landing gear."
Many of the existing units do have a frame with their own seats.
These fall under SP. But those where the pilot sits in the
paramotor's own seat using a harness would seem NOT to fall under sport pilot.
Or if the wing attaches to the harness rather than a frame. Also, if
the wheels are not integral to the craft it further distances
itself from sport pilot. The
original sport pilot issuance on July 27, 2004 explained:
"As stated in the proposed rule,
the FAA specifically intended to exclude from consideration as light sport aircraft configurations in which
the engine and/or wing is mounted on the person operating the aircraft, rather
than a fuselage."
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Q:
I've got a legitimate tandem powered paraglider trike. How do I fly it
legally?
A: At this point there is no way to do so. Even provided
we do get the exemption, there will be no allowance for
"recreational" tandem.
Q: I don't want to instruct or become an instructor. Is
there another way?
A: Yes, you can get a machine certified as a Light
Sport Aircraft and earn the FAA Sport Pilot License. We are not involved
in that process and suggest you contact the USUA
for more information.
Q: I want to instruct with my Tandem Trike, what do I
have to do?
A: Hopefully, if and when we get the exemption, you can
go through the USPPA Instructor then Tandem program. It takes
significant experience to do this as you must first be a skilled
pilot with demonstrated skills.
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Telling
the Difference between PPC and PPG
Nov
27,
2006, revised Feb 3, 2008
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When wheels are
added it
isn't black and white, it's shades of gray where black is
"Powered Parachute" and white is " Powered Paraglider". If it
is a bona-fide powered paraglider, than we want our instructors to be able
to teach tandem. It is a valuable tool and is why we are seeking a new
exemption. Here are
some things that make a 2-place unit more like a powered paraglider than a
powered parachute. 1. (reg) The paramotor used has it's
own harness which is used even in tandem operations. 2.
(reg)
The wing is attached to the harness, not the frame. 3.
If the frame failed in any way, the wing would continue to support the
weight of the occupants and motor through the harness. This means that any
rigid portions are acting as a spreader bar (like a foot launched tandem). 4. The paramotor is commonly
flown in foot-launched operations and, whether solo or tandem, uses the same
pilot harness. 5. The
paramotor/harness easily comes off of the wheeled portion and can then be
flown as a foot-launched unit. Other criteria
could be added to help insure it remains only powered paragliders. The
current cart attachments for tandems can easily weigh less than 50 pounds.
The current heaviest foot-launched motors, without fuel, weigh about 80
pounds. So a weight limit of 130 pounds easily limit the potential growth. A
reserve parachute of the size used for tandem foot launchers weighs up to 10
pounds. So even with that a maximum weight of 140 pounds would cover it.
Also, other definitions could insure that only powered
paragliders are included. Such as: 1. The craft must
be foot launchable by an average sized pilot in a wind less than 5 mph on
level terrain with only the cart unit removed. 2.
The cart must not be integral to the use of the paramotor. |
Does this qualify?
 
This is what
we're working on to determin. If it falls under the FAR part 1
definition of a powered parachute, then it will not be included in our
exemption. This common configuration meets all the listed items except 2.
Because the frame is acting as a "spreader," an
essential function of even foot-launched tandem units (see below), it may.
This LaMouette
paramotor was used for years as a foot-launched machine is still is flown
by a
few. The paramotor detaches easily and becomes foot-launchable again. Although "foot-launched" is not in the definition, it
is what they wanted to exclude from sport pilot.
  
These spreader
systems are employed on nearly all tandem systems including those used for
free flight (middle picture). |
How
Long with the Exemptions Last?
Nov 27,
2006, revised Feb 1, 2008
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In
the rule's issuance the FAA excludes tandem powered paragliding training
and states that exemptions will be renewed until a final rule that has yet
to be done. An effort was underway but has fallen by the wayside. We are
currently in limbo. We have been assured that an exemption will be issued
and can only hope they keep their word as stated in the final Sport
Pilot rule:
"III.5.B. Future Rulemaking on Ultralight Vehicles
The NPRM did not address, nor does the final rule address, the use of hangliders, paragliders and powered paragliders in tandem operations and training. There is a need to address these issues, but the FAA did not examine questions in this area for this rule. Rather than delay this rule to include these issues, the FAA intends to initiate a separate rulemaking action. Until that can be completed, the FAA intends to maintain the status quo for these operations by continuing or reissuing training exemptions as necessary."
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Our
goal is not to stifle innovation, it is to prevent abuse that could
pressure the elimination of our training exemptions. We strongly feel that
tandem PPG is a valuable tool for training. |
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