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J.M.L. Thanks (LOL @ last sentence). Is radio communication with the ground required?
Radio in any type of aircraft is only required when flying in airspace near airports with control towers or above 18,000 ft above sea level or when flying under instrument flight rules (IFR).
I started flying lessons in a glider at a private grass field. The instructor sometimes took along a hand-held radio just in case. But I don’t recall it being used. If the tow plane needed us to disconnect before reaching the planned release altitude, they would waggle their wings. In the case where the glider fails to release the tow plane also has a way to release the tow rope from their end, but that is rarely needed.
I can only speak to United States regulations.
For glider certification in the United States the SSA provides a quick summary here: Soaring Society of America
Even smaller than conventional gliders are hang gliders, which are not regulated (with respect to airworthiness or registration) by the FAA and no pilot license or medical is required prior to getting in one and leaping off into the abyss. Though obviously training is strongly advised. There are operational flight regulations that the pilot must abide to, though. These operating rules are all spelled out in Part 103 of the FAA regulations. One of the shorter set of flight regulations on the books. Basically they were written under the philosophy “It’s your neck and you can risk it all you want except that you aren’t allowed to risk anyone else’s necks in the process.”
True that in the USA one doesn't need a license to fly a glider but this isn't true in all other countries. I know that in Australia and Israel one does need a license to fly gliders.
^^^^No license for HANG gliders but you need one for sailplanes, which some refer to as gliders.
I used to fly sailplanes over Hemet, CA---it is an amazing experience. Only the wind whistling, circling with the birds. Once went to 10,000 feet "accidently" sucked up in a cloud.
It helped to have that background when learning to fly power planes. I didn't panic as much as I might have when we lost power over Roswell, NM and had to glide to Socorro.
Took a few lessons in Calistoga, CA back in probably the late 70s or early 80s. Definitely fun. I was also working on my private pilots license too, but that was down in the East Bay.
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