Hi, my husband is a glider pilot and small engine mechanic. He hasn’t gotten / maybe can’t / doesn’t want to get his medical. Therefore he flies sport, gliders, and balloons. He has a glider that I bought him for Christmas. Recently he thought he could get away with connecting a propellor to a lawnmower engine on his glider for a little extra lift on his flights. This is still non powered flight. No takeoffs or anything, just to extend his flight time.

Fast forward a few weeks and he’s been using it periodically no problem. 3 minutes here and there until he finds another thermal. One day while on the runway being towed by the plane for takeoff he accidentally hit the starter, causing the engine to roar loudly and he took to the air doing multiple pattern runs and touch and go’s. Then he immediately turned it off. I could see the look on his face, embarrassed, excited, ashamed. He put his glider away and the entire airport called the FAA and Department of Homeland Security. Their was a major investigation. His glider is listed on trade a plane and he is not acting the same….

What do I do? Is my husband completely screwed? I feel like it’s not that big of a deal, the FAA is just a bunch of trouble starting old guys anyway! Help :/