US Hawks Hang Gliding Association

How does FAA distinguish a sailplane from a hang glider?
I just had a conversation with the insurance company that gives some kind of insurance to SSA (Soaring Society of America).

http://www.ssa.org/GroupInsurance Worth studying all the FAQs

"For a craft to be in the policy, it must be a sailplane. We consider the FAA to define what is a sailplane" was my paraphrase of the short conversation. I sensed from the tone when I mentioned "hang glider" that the talker would not want to spend any time on the questions whether any hang glider could be included in the class of "sailplane." So, I did not take up her time on that matter.

I called again: The main part of the offer to glider owners is the "liability" and by that they mean third-party insurance liability. For add on they can cover the hull or physical part of the glider itself. On this call I got a different person and did not use the word "hang glider". The conversation went smoothly using just "glider" as the term. Well, I am wondering what the market and field and discussion would be if we dropped the term "hang" and just went with "glider" . Taras Kiceniuk, Jr. registered his Icarus II hang glider and received an N number. I did not extend the conversation to get a quote. SSA members can enter the "group" or not in various ways, depending on whether a glider is club or individual. Etc. But I do not have all the facts at all, just what write hereon; I do not know what the cost would be to be involved with SSA and have a glider and ask to be in the group insurance, etc.

So, what is a sailplane according to the FAA and can any hang glider be designated a sailplane?

  Recall that Wikipedia is written by anyone; expertise is not required. So the article to be linked here is not the law of the land or air; and statements are ever up for potential correction and even cancellation.
But the portions can be discussed. For instance, is "foot-launched" or "foot-launchable" important or not in some cases? The articles are open for additions, corrections, deletions, etc.  
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glider_%28sailplane%29
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glider_(aircraft)

Close to topic: http://www.usua.org/Rules/faa103.htm

I start: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policie ... h_ch01.pdf
But the full handbook: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policie ... 83-13a.pdf
And the first page shows a photo of Otto Lilienthal. Hmmm. Then I read more and do not readily see much that tells me
that some quality hang gliders cannot be "glider" or likewise cannot be "sailplane." But I read more to try to get clear.

Soaring refers to the sport
of flying sailplanes, which usually includes traveling
long distances and remaining aloft for extended periods
of time. Gliders were designed and built to provide short
flights off a hill down to a landing area. Since their wings
provided relatively low lift and high drag, these simple
gliders were generally unsuitable for sustained flight using
atmospheric lifting forces. Both terms are acceptable and
are synonymous.

Well, in that, I feel at ease in calling some quality hang gliders "sailplanes." But I read more to see if I am missing something.

Another widely accepted term used in the industry is
sailplane. A sailplane is a glider (heavier-than-air fixedwing
aircraft) designed to fly efficiently and gain altitude
solely from natural forces, such as thermals and ridge waves.
[Figure 1-6] Older gliders and those used by the military were
not generally designed to gain altitude in lifting conditions,
whereas modern day sailplanes are designed to gain altitude
in various conditions of lift. Some sailplanes are equipped
with sustaining engines to enable level flight even in light
sink, or areas of descending air flow. More sophisticated
sailplanes may have engines powerful enough to allow
takeoffs and climbs to soaring altitudes. In both cases, the
powerplants and propellers are designed to be stopped in
flight and retracted into the body of the sailplane to retain the
high efficiency necessary for nonpowered flight.

I find nothing in that description of "sailplane" that would disqualify a quality hang glider from being included in the class "sailplane." What might I be missing?
Is a Falcon III a sailplane or not? Such hang glider seems to fit the class "sailplane."
A caption in the book: "Figure 1-6. A sailplane is a glider designed to fly efficiently and
gain altitude solely from natural forces, such as thermals and ridge waves."

So far, a quality hang glider seems to be in the class "sailplane." Help?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines a glider
as a heavier-than-air aircraft that is 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.

Seems to me that our quality hang gliders are gliders that are sailplanes.

I would like to know how much damage to third parties or third party property that SSA members effect.
And compare such with how much damage to third parties or third party property that USHHGA members effect. Hopefully we do less such damage. Our lower mass systems (sailplanes of the hang glider sort) might mean we hit people and properties with less mass at lower speeds than heavier non-hang-glider sailplanes. But I do not have facts about third-party damages by our Hawks or by SSA members. When some smart careful insurance broker discovers that money can be made by insuring quality hang gliders, then I suspect coverage will be more available. Stay clear that the pilot's body is not covered in "liability" policies. And again, for getting in the "group" policy, then SSA membership is required.

Q: If I injure myself while operating my own glider can I claim my medical bills under my liability coverage?
A: No, liability coverage applies to bodily injury to others as well as damage to the property of others. But your policy does include minor medical expense coverage under which you can claim your own medical bills. The SSA plan includes $1,000 medical expense coverage at no charge with slightly higher limits available for a premium charge.

HOW TO JOIN SSA
http://www.ssa.org/HowToJoin

Question: Does the Concessionaire at TPG allow SSA pilot members without u$hPa to use the grass to launch a sailplane ??? Say, e.g., "Hello, I am a 30-yr member pilot of SSA; I do not have u$hPa membership and never want such; is it OK with you to run off the cliff right there taking turns with others?"

USHSA
U.S. Hang Sailplane Association

That has a nice ring to it.

or Ultralight Sailplane Association...

All you need is a driver's license.

http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificate ... idance.pdf

: )

Here's another question for you Joe -

Let's say a pilot of a glider (of the "hang": type) joined the SSA and got their insurance. Couldn't they also join the Sailplane Club that flies out of the Torrey Pines Glider Port "strip"?

If so - and because of the difference between "sailplane" gliders and "hang" gliders - couldn't a glider of the "hang" type actually launch (via, let's say, scooter tow) from the Glider Port launch and landing strip? Wouldn't that bypass certain disagreeable individuals?

Since gliders of the "hang" type typically fly year round at Torrey Pines then why would they be restricted to the short couple month flying window to which the "sailplane" type gliders are subject?

And isn't there a person local to the area who also has a pilot's license that allows him to fly gliders? Would his glider only need N numbers? Or could he fly his glider simply as a SSA member with insurance and FAA issued pilot's license?

So many questions, . . . .

On the ride up the hill one day Joe Greblo mentioned the FAA and or FAR 103 calls a hang glider a "Vehicle".

Yes, Doug:
vehicles

http://www.usua.org/Rules/faa103.htm

Part 103-Ultralight Vehicles

Operating Requirements

Adopted: July 30,1982 Effective: October 4,1982 (Published in 47 FR 38770, September 2,1982)

SUMMARY: This amendment establishes rules governing the operation of ultralight   vehicles  in the United States.

The ultralight community is expected to take positive action to develop these programs in a timely manner and gain FAA approval for their implementation.

The USHHGA aims to develop programs for recreational solo airframed sailplanes of the "hang" glider type under 155 lb and gain FAA approval for our implementation of such programs; we leave powered and tandem things to other implementations; we leave commercial operations to other groups. We leave powered tow launching to other groups. First focus: recreational foot-launching of solo hang gliding. Training: no tandem training in the first era of USHHGA is proposed hereon. Program proposed is a comprehensive ground school program.

Rob McKenzie has an unusual story along these lines:

An FAA First

Nice.

At one point we were maintaining our position in a thermal while two hawks circled with us. They gave us little indication of fear or concern. It was more of an acceptance of us as a fellow comrade of the air.