Glider Training

Florida Cracker

Florida Cracker

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Florida Cracker
I have flown various things but never a glider. I started out in a tail wheel and when I changed to tricycle gear, I almost quit because it felt so weird but now I go back and forth between and don't notice that it's much of a problem. I've flown trikes and several types of twin but not the glider.

Near my home is a glider port and I keep feeling this pull to check it out and see if it's something I would enjoy.
Can any of you glider guys tell me what to expect in terms a likely dual time to transition, what things to watch for, type of glider to look for as far as a trainer and anything else that comes to mind, please?

Thanks
 
5-30 flights to solo. The art of soaring is endless, gliding basics(including the rating) are pretty simple don't over think it, just give it a go.
 
Most of my students transitioning from power to glider need 10 to 15 flights to solo. It does depend on how recent your powered flying and what you have been flying. Most pick up flying on tow rather quickly, most have problems with rudder coordination and changing that 3 degree glide path to about 7 degrees.

Some are very mechanical in their flying, always turning base at the same physical point, and not using angles and altitude to turn when needed.

The FARs state how many PIC flights you need, but getting to the solo stage is the hard part. Then the academics, no written, but there is an oral during the check ride.

Go do it!! And have fun!!
 
I soloed a glider after six flights. Towed to 1,000 ft and flew for 45 minutes. I hadn't flown for 3 - 4 years.
 
If you're reasonably good with using your feet properly when you fly, the transition shouldn't be too hard. There's a lot of adverse yaw in gliders and if you fly around with your feet on the floor that'll be the hardest thing to overcome. I thought the energy management part (flying in the pattern) was pretty easy. A group of us went out to Soar Minden and got our rating knocked out in 3 days of flying and spent another couple on some XC's.
 
Sounds like you will do fine... most gliders are not quite like trikes or taildraggers, but having dealt with both will help you with glider training.
You should go for it- I don't think any power pilot has regretted at least trying gliders; it's a fun challenge and a fairly easy, inexpensive rating to add to your portfolio.
 
Well having started in TW aircraft is going to be a big plus, since most trike drivers only use the pedals to seer the plane on the ground. Most gliders have pretty big adverse yaw issues due to the ailerons being so far out on the wings so adequate rudder control is important.

As for training gliders you will most likely be flying a Schweitzer 2-33. It is a very simple and forgiving airplane to fly, but not the most sexy thing out there :-)

Just out of curiosity what club will you be flying at?

Also if you are near Smeinole Glider Port, you may want to check out the Senior Nationals in March.

http://www.soarfl.com/main.htm
 
vontresc said:
Well having started in TW aircraft is going to be a big plus, since most trike drivers only use the pedals to seer the plane on the ground. Most gliders have pretty big adverse yaw issues due to the ailerons being so far out on the wings so adequate rudder control is important.

As for training gliders you will most likely be flying a Schweitzer 2-33. It is a very simple and forgiving airplane to fly, but not the most sexy thing out there :-)

Just out of curiosity what club will you be flying at?

Also if you are near Smeinole Glider Port, you may want to check out the Senior Nationals in March.

http://www.soarfl.com/main.htm
Click to expand...

Thanks

Seminole Glider Port is quite close to me, about 40 minutes away and the one I have in mind.

I didn't notice the senior national. Makes sense to go.

I don't know anyone in the glider world but glidng looks like my cup of tea and any input on the experince is appreciated.
 
You are fortunate to have a glider operation that close to you. I had to go 300 miles to get my rating, as an add on I did it in a 3 day weekend.

I think if soaring were more available in more area's and more pilots got their rating and actually tried some soaring flights that more pilots would be doing it. Given, it isn't for everyone, what is?

The issue most power students have is that they find learning to fly fun, But once they have their ticket they find that they don't have a lot of need to actually go anywhere. True many find power flying as a good excuse to explore new places, But many find that actually just flying to be expensive and rather boring once they don't have the goal of getting their ticket.

Soaring on the other hand strips away any pretense that it is useful. It is done entirely for pleasure and improving your flying skills. Every flight is different in that you have adapt to the weather to continue flying and follow the soaring conditions to either keep you a loft or take you to your goal. It usually is a very social sport in that we seldom go flying alone. We usually fly as a group of anywhere from 2 to about 30 gliders and communicate to each other while we are flying.

One of the good/bad parts of soaring is that in many areas you have to be selective of the days you can fly and pick days with theweather for it. Some areas have great flying conditions most of the time and you can go most any afternoon and have a reasonable flight. Most areas have a select number of days a year that really have good soaring conditions and those with a flexible schedule that can take off the afternoon and go flying when these occur have the most fun. Having these select days mean there is more anticipation for the great flying days (like a great powder day when skiing) but it means that you can't very well just go next Saturday , at least if you want to go Soaring. One can glide back to the ground most any day.

It can be much cheaper that gliding, but in many areas you can't rent gliders very well so you end up purchasing one if you want to fly a lot. I paid $11,000 for my glider about 12 years ago. Last year I flew 20 days (flights) for a total of 65 hours at an average cost of about $25/hr. There are cheaper and more expensive places to fly.

All that is to say that you probably won't know if it is for you until you try it. The one word of caution is the Blanik or Schweizer trainer will not give you a very representative experience of what soaring is about. They may let you soar and get a taste of it. But you really won't get a typical soaring experience until you have flown a glider in a 35 to 1 glider or better with a confortable seat and flown with other gliders nearby. It is kind of like learning to drive in a VW bug and trying to get the experence of driving a Ferrari on a race track. Doesn't mean the bug can't be fun, it just isn't the same.

Brian
CFIIG/ASEL
 
brcase said:
You are fortunate to have a glider operation that close to you. I had to go 300 miles to get my rating, as an add on I did it in a 3 day weekend.

I think if soaring were more available in more area's and more pilots got their rating and actually tried some soaring flights that more pilots would be doing it. Given, it isn't for everyone, what is?

The issue most power students have is that they find learning to fly fun, But once they have their ticket they find that they don't have a lot of need to actually go anywhere. True many find power flying as a good excuse to explore new places, But many find that actually just flying to be expensive and rather boring once they don't have the goal of getting their ticket.

Soaring on the other hand strips away any pretense that it is useful. It is done entirely for pleasure and improving your flying skills. Every flight is different in that you have adapt to the weather to continue flying and follow the soaring conditions to either keep you a loft or take you to your goal. It usually is a very social sport in that we seldom go flying alone. We usually fly as a group of anywhere from 2 to about 30 gliders and communicate to each other while we are flying.

One of the good/bad parts of soaring is that in many areas you have to be selective of the days you can fly and pick days with theweather for it. Some areas have great flying conditions most of the time and you can go most any afternoon and have a reasonable flight. Most areas have a select number of days a year that really have good soaring conditions and those with a flexible schedule that can take off the afternoon and go flying when these occur have the most fun. Having these select days mean there is more anticipation for the great flying days (like a great powder day when skiing) but it means that you can't very well just go next Saturday , at least if you want to go Soaring. One can glide back to the ground most any day.

It can be much cheaper that gliding, but in many areas you can't rent gliders very well so you end up purchasing one if you want to fly a lot. I paid $11,000 for my glider about 12 years ago. Last year I flew 20 days (flights) for a total of 65 hours at an average cost of about $25/hr. There are cheaper and more expensive places to fly.

All that is to say that you probably won't know if it is for you until you try it. The one word of caution is the Blanik or Schweizer trainer will not give you a very representative experience of what soaring is about. They may let you soar and get a taste of it. But you really won't get a typical soaring experience until you have flown a glider in a 35 to 1 glider or better with a confortable seat and flown with other gliders nearby. It is kind of like learning to drive in a VW bug and trying to get the experence of driving a Ferrari on a race track. Doesn't mean the bug can't be fun, it just isn't the same.

Brian
CFIIG/ASEL
Click to expand...

heh i think i have approximately 3 flights in a >35:1 ship. 1 in a DG-1000 and 2 in the back seat of our clubs Twin Astir (not so comfy with that retractable gear). Apparently I take pleasure in the never ending threat of always being only a few minutes from touchdown, regardless of my altitude.
 
Didn't say you could have a lot of fun in a lower performance glider. Some people really enjoy this as evidenced by the 1-26 Association. I owned a 1-26 for 3 years and loved it. But I enjoy the HP16 a lot more in that I fly farther and often longer than I would have in the 1-26 especially on weak days.

It also depends a bit on who you fly with. When you are flying a significantly lower performance glider than everyone else around you it is a bit of a bummer to be sitting on the ground while everyone else is flying. On the other hand it is also immensely satisfing to out fly a higher perfomance glider and see him on the ground watching you.

Brian
CFIIG/ASEL
 
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