Ersatz L-4
Member
I'm asking this for a friend (and because I am nosy have an inquiring mind). I have already offered him my own opinion on the subject, but I was looking for a consensus. Besides, I'm open risking receiving 13 wildly differing opinions in 11 posts from \10 members.
He has a ~200 pound powered ultralight based on a glider design and was thinking about incorporating an integral keel skid for landing with a detachable dolly containing wheels for takeoff (like the ME-163 rocket) but is concerned that configuration does not meet the regulatory definition of "fixed gear."
Looking at both FAR 103.1 through 103.23, and AC 103-7, I cannot find the basis for a "fixed-gear only" restriction on Part 103 aircraft, although he is certain that he has seen it somewhere. (I think in the "14 CFR § 1.1 General Definitions" where it refers to LSAs not Ultralights-- but I digress.)
Alternatively, a launching rail arrangement is under consideration. If the ultralight merely rested upon a dolly fixed to the rail, and was launched like a glider, there is no FAR 103 requirement for any form of landing gear... is there? (You lose points against your stall speed but his true Vso is ~18--19 mph... its a glider with an engine.)
He has a ~200 pound powered ultralight based on a glider design and was thinking about incorporating an integral keel skid for landing with a detachable dolly containing wheels for takeoff (like the ME-163 rocket) but is concerned that configuration does not meet the regulatory definition of "fixed gear."
Looking at both FAR 103.1 through 103.23, and AC 103-7, I cannot find the basis for a "fixed-gear only" restriction on Part 103 aircraft, although he is certain that he has seen it somewhere. (I think in the "14 CFR § 1.1 General Definitions" where it refers to LSAs not Ultralights-- but I digress.)
Alternatively, a launching rail arrangement is under consideration. If the ultralight merely rested upon a dolly fixed to the rail, and was launched like a glider, there is no FAR 103 requirement for any form of landing gear... is there? (You lose points against your stall speed but his true Vso is ~18--19 mph... its a glider with an engine.)
