Chance of getting third class to get out of sport pilot catch 22

[Unregistered]

I was denied a medical about six years ago mainly because I could not get the VA to provide my medical records to the FAA, liver ultrasound.

I am 65 with controled blood pressure and have a good stress test that is two months old. Ten years ago I had a bleed out and found out that I had cirrhosis of the liver. I have not had a drink in ten years. Four years ago I had to have two heart valves replaced, no bypass required, animal tissue, no cumanin used. The valve deteriation was the result of flu damage many years before. My cartologist says I'm fine. I have no diet restrictions; I just have to pace myself when I do carpentry or other work within the rules. My SS disability ends this year and goes over to regular SS. My last general physical,three months ago, was fine, good labs and all.

I have been a Private Pilot since 1975. I drive and get to fly with friends on occasion.

Is there any hope for a third class or special issuance to get out of the catch 22

 

[Jim Logajan]

Ask your doctor (and yourself - honestly) if he or she thinks you would be safe to drive or fly - and if the answer is "yes" then I believe you should still be able to get ratings for - and fly - gliders, ultralights, and balloons.

 

[Jim Logajan]

http://wingsandwheels.com/want-ads10.htm

Another option:
Sonex Xenos is a relatively low cost self-launch EAB (two seats too) that looks suspiciously like a single engine airplane but can be flown with a glider rating with self-launch endorsement:

http://www.sonexaircraft.com/aircraft/xenos.html

 

[Jim Logajan]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but isn't this the next "fat ultralight" in the making?

I believe "fat ultralights" were illegal from the get-go. All the alternatives so far listed are entirely legal and have been (I believe) for decades. The FAA would have to go through the NPRM process to void any of these alternatives.

 

[Jim Logajan]

I've always wondered about the self-launch gliders. I'm not complaining and I don't want more regulation, but what is to stop Cirrus saying the 22 is a self-launched glider. Are there limits on seats, minimum for glide ratio ... what?

I've always looked at the self-launched gliders and thought, "When the day comes I can't hold a medical, that is the way I'll go to stay in the air." Well, that and a little open air ultralight.

Sonex has a web page that has definitions for motor glider as defined by the FAA and JAR:

http://www.sonexaircraft.com/aircraft/motorgliderdefinition.html