Hello All,I have been working on a balloon dropped glider off and on for a couple of years as time permits. The goal was to carry my glider aloft to about 60K feet and release. The glider was then supposed to navigate it's way back to the launch site taking pictures and measurement all the way.According to the amateur guidelines I can't do this because while I might be able to maintain LOS, I won't have any reliable orientation cues to take over control and it will fly above 400' (If it goes to plan).Is there a special provision for non-powered flight? The balloonsat guys use parachutes to bring their payloads back. I believe a parachute is just a glider with a crappy L/D.I'd like to hear other people thoughts on this.Thanks,Mike
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Both the balloon and the UAV are regulated and you'll need FAA clearance for them if they're in the US national airspace. And although you're right, logically, that there isn't much difference between a parachute and glider, I'm afraid the regulators don't see it that way.
You might want to look at this discussion, where people have been talking about the same thing. Many other teams have done this and they may be able to advise you on getting through the regulatory hurdles.
Replies
Both the balloon and the UAV are regulated and you'll need FAA clearance for them if they're in the US national airspace. And although you're right, logically, that there isn't much difference between a parachute and glider, I'm afraid the regulators don't see it that way.
You might want to look at this discussion, where people have been talking about the same thing. Many other teams have done this and they may be able to advise you on getting through the regulatory hurdles.