ANN Reader Robb Stapleton tells us that, "The completion and use of 51 percent, glider-trike homebuilt ultralight kits offered at Birchwood Airport has influenced the FAA to create a new flexibility for this type of sport aircraft."

"We will soon issue new operational specifications that will allow aircraft specific training in the glider trikes," said FAA's Sue Gardner. Gardner is the project manager for a proposed new FAA Sport Pilot certification program, and eventual Light Sport Aircraft certification/registration.

"The completion and use of our Antares kits has convinced the FAA that there is sufficient interest and a need to allow pilots to receive transitional training in weight shift experimental aircraft," says Mike Jacober, president of Arctic Sparrow Aircraft.

According to Gardner, the new flight privilege will allow flight instructors from a non governmental, FAA recognized organization to offer official training for FAA licensed pilots, or introductory training toward other pilot certifications.

The specifications will also change the operational limitations of the aircraft as regulated by the FAA. Officials expect the ruling by the end of March.

The glider-trike, or powered glider is more commonly referred to as a weight shift, or powered hang glider type aircraft. Jacober and Sergey Zozuliya of Antares Aircraft LLC, worked with the FAA in 2001 to get the Antares MA-32-33 aircraft on the organization's 51 percent homebuilt kit list. 51 percent homebuilt means that the kit builder is required to actually build 51 percent of the aircraft kit. The builder may receive up to 49 percent assistance from a mechanic or FAA certified airframe and power plant mechanic, or the aircraft manufacturer.

This development comes six years after Arizona resident Greg Silva, was the first person in the U.S. to obtain licensing for 51 percent homebuilt "Experimental" aircraft. Silva built the Ukrainian designed Antares MA-32. Jacober, and Antares LLC, offer the only weight shift kit aircraft of its kind in the world. Currently there are nine of the Antares kits that have been completed and licensed as "Experimental" aircraft, with three more close to completion.

Presently, the FAA does not specifically recognize weight shift, powered hang-glider, type flying in a different pilot category. There are specific provisions in the FARs under Part 103 that regulate this type of aircraft and flight activity. But, there is no license, certification or special endorsement for FAA certified airmen, according to Jacober.

This unprecedented change would allow this type of experimental aircraft to be used for hire, but for instruction only.

FMI: www.arcticsparrow.com, www.faa.gov