Sports article follow up and results of CHGA July meeting

by Joe Gregor


I have forwarded an update to my Sport Pilot article to Mark Cavanaugh for the MHGA/CHGA web page. It is somewhat clearer to read, includes the answers to some questions that came up at the meeting, includes some additional info from FAA sources, and does a better job of explaining where I think things are going and why. Please take the time to read it.

With regards to our airspace discussion; it was found that Part 103 is a little confusing and even self-contradictory. Our best interpretation of the INTENT of the regulation, based on history and the FAA's own writings, is as follows:

Ultralights are prohibited from flying over or through Class B, C, D, or the dashed magenta Class E associated with an airport. The dashed magenta Class E extends to the surface, thus forming the "surface area" specifically mentioned in Part 103. The idea is that aircraft of unproven and uncertified designs should not put themselves at risk of dropping (sinking out) into an airport traffic area in the event of mechanical (or other) failure. By this interpretation it is legal (but perhaps not advisable) to fly under the overhanging Class B rings. Why? Because to sink out there does not cause risk of penetrating controlled airspace on the way down. Be aware that these areas are often congested with light aviation and helicopter traffic, like a crowded thermal on a scratchy day.

What about the ghostly magenta Class E that surrounds most non-towered airports? Since the ghostly magenta Class E does not go down to the surface, it is reasonable to assume that it does not form a "surface area" and that we may legally fly over and through such areas - until someone official educates us otherwise. My hope is that we keep our operations low-key so that such education is not deemed necessary. For instance, flying through the pattern at an insanely busy non-towered airport - like Frederick - on a pretty VFR day would be a bad idea.

What about High Rock, which falls within the dashed magenta Class E for Washington County, yet has a hang gliding symbol clearly displayed on the sectional? The fact that we are listed on the sectional can only mean that we have secured a letter of agreement some time in the past with ATC at Washington County; permitting us to operate in the NE keyway. Otherwise, the sectional would have a mistake on it, which is not possible.

We should do our utmost to obey the intent of the regulations, and to avoid flying anywhere nearby to large concentrations of conventional air traffic. The less visible we are to the regulatory authorities, the better. The more we act like conventional aircraft, the more interest there will be in treating us like conventional aircraft, and that means bringing us within the regulatory umbrella with all the rest. Our objective should be to delay that process as far out into the future as possible.