>In the case of a tailstrike on rotation, I suppose you could >argue that, for an instant, you're "mostly" airborne but then >you quickly become truly airborne, as the whole aircraft leaves >the ground.
Or in this case, they became completely airborne when the tail broke off after hitting the berm.
>I don't believe flying in ground effect is considered airborne. FAR >25 considers an aircraft out of ground effect when the aircraft >has achieved an altitude greater than the length of it's >wingspan.
Could be true. But that would mean that the Spruce Goose never got airborne. I'll have to let them know.