Sending 14 yr to glider lessons

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evapilotaz

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i'm thinking about sending my 14-year-old son to take a glider lessons. HE can solo at age 14. Has anyone done this with their 14y? My son has a passion for flying. I'm not sure if he is mature enough though.
 
Send him. We draw out childhood faaaar too long in this county, and act surprised when adults are arrested when acting like children.


If he's not ready, his CFIG won't sign him off.
 
One would have thought the same thing about me, but I did fine. I soloed at 17.

I can't see an instructor letting anyone solo if they're not ready for it. This training just might help him mature. I'd say go for it.
 
I took some sailplane lessons when I was 14, but didn't get to solo. Even if he isn't ready for solo flight right away, he'll learn a lot.

We have had 13 year olds go off of the mountain in hang gliders. Not everyone is ready at that age, but some are.
 
My best student ever was an enthusiastic 13-year-old glider student...go for it before he discovers girls or cars! ;)

Go for your rating at the same time...watch him outpace you.
 
Introducing them at an early age, thats great!
 
The worst that will happen is that he will fail at it. On the other hand, it might spark a passion in him that will last a lifetime and lead to success.
 
evapilotaz said:
He has never been in a glider. of course he has flown with me in powered airplanes. I should at least get him an intro glider ride.
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:yes:

SkyDog58 said:
The worst that will happen is that he will fail at it. On the other hand, it might spark a passion in him that will last a lifetime and lead to success.
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...and give some serious bragging rights at school!
 
I've solo'd 14 yr olds. It's not just flying skills and knowledge, it's how they handle themselves around the airport. Maturity.
 
I was a fairly active CFIG when my son was growing up. He was 5 ½ when he got his first logged lesson in the front seat of a Blanik. By the time he was 12 he could thermal with the best of them. I just sat in the back and watched. I encourage you to have your son take these lessons (assuming this is something he wants to do). Young kids can be great students!
 
By all means do so. My father sponsored me through solo. I started at 15 and soloed at 16 . (missed my birthday by 4 days due to wx) I'm 78 still fly & live on an airpark. Thanks Dad
 
If he likes it and wants to continue, great idea! It will make him a better pilot if he goes on with it! Wish it had been me.
 
I started flying at 14. An instructor probably won't let him solo if he is too immature or having any issues. 20 years later and I'm still loving it. It's made a huge impact on my life.
 
Anymouse said:
Cut him loose. He just might surprise you.
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There is something to that.

I just witnessed my 11 year old son at a theater rehearsal, take criticism like a pro with a "yessir, I'll fix that," while all the teenagers around him were making excuses. And believe me, the director noticed.

Not the kind of thing you expect from a kid. And absolutely, the right thing is to get out of the way. He's been doing this stuff for a while and knows how it works. If it weren't illegal, I would have no qualms about him soloing a glider, after appropriate instruction.

He's been at the theater thing long enough, and with enough exposure to adults, to know how it works. And honestly, flight instruction isn't that different in that regard. Only, practice is a whole helluva lot more expensive.
 
Come down to soaring Az at Estrella, we get lots of 14 year olds flying. It's a great way to learn to fly and a lot of fun.
 
From observing the kids solo-ing their gliders around here, my impression is they benefit by learning maturity and independence as much as flying. Both will be invaluable as they go through life.
BTW, I got hooked on gliders after watching a little girl solo on youtube.
 
It is cool to see how "immature" teenagers can grow up real fast with certain activities. I've seen kids totally transform doing things like flying and going to a shooting range. They can completely live up to the responsibility required of the situation, and yet still go back to being a goofball kid right after.
 
That's awesome...I wish my dad did that for me! I keep thinking I should go over to that glider place over by Lake Pleasant and check it out...
 
PilotRPI said:
It is cool to see how "immature" teenagers can grow up real fast with certain activities. I've seen kids totally transform doing things like flying and going to a shooting range. They can completely live up to the responsibility required of the situation, and yet still go back to being a goofball kid right after.
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Especially when they are getting one-on-one instruction and attention from someone other than parents.
If they want to do it and the instructor says, read this before the next lesson. If they don't come prepared, the instructor will give them a hard time and say, no sense flying today, your not prepared for the lesson. Trust me, next time they are prepared. Or they really don't want to fly. They need to have drive, encouragement, and opportunity.
 
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