What constitutes an model aircraft in the eyes of the FAA?
I know that balloons and moored kites have their own regs.
How about:
1. A parachute?
2. A non-motorized free-flight hang glider (Rogallo wing not a rigid wing)
If 1 and/or 2 are unregulated then how about:
A. A parachute with directional control
B. A non-motorized hang glider with directional control
Following that, if A and/or B then how about:
i. A parachute with autonomous directional control
ii. A non-motorized hang glider with autonomous directional control
Also, because of my proximity to Canada, If anyone can make comments about how these would be regulated in Canada (CAR rules) that would be helpful too.
I think the person who puts anything in the air (footballs, pumpkins, balloons, rockets, gliders, planes....) should follow the common-sense suggestions of the AMA and FAR rules (don't put anyone in danger, avoid controlled air space, obey (and issue when applicable) NOTAMS, etc ,etc, etc).
But aside from that I am trying to figure out where the legal line is, not for tomorrow, but today.
Weather balloons are required to parachute their payload, and clearly they are expected to be released above 60K feet. It seems a bit silly to me that the FAA would consider a free-flight parachute to be safer than a parachute with autonomous directional control.
Thank you!
CF
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