First Glider Solo

[Realms09]

I am learning to fly gliders as a surrogate for my BFR and having a blast doing it. I soloed in a Schweizer 2-32 today (even gained 1000 feet thermalling)! It had been about one and a half years since flying as PIC, so it felt good to be in command again.

[Aero_Engineer]

Congrats man, that's awesome!! Glad you enjoyed it.

[RynoB]

That's cool! I want to get my glider rating. I'm moving to Wichita, KS next month. Hutchinson has a glider port, and I hope to get up there soon.

Keep us posted on your rating.

[MusketeerMan]

What kind of costs can one expect to get a glider rating??? I have no clue..

[khysanth]

Originally Posted by MusketeerMan

What kind of costs can one expect to get a glider rating??? I have no clue..

Probably not that severe, considering the dip in fuel prices.

[n57flyguy]

Awsome and congrads on the solo! I plan to start flying gliders next Spring/Summer. They look like lots of fun and I could learn alot from flying them. I just hope I'll be able to do it. My dad used to fly gliders, so he might get into it again and it will help when I want to fly them.

As for cost, I'm sure it varies from airport to airport, but the glider club I'll use cost about $200 for family to join up, all instruction is free, and a tow fee for 3,000ft will run you about $27. Not all that bad. You could plan on spending about $2,500-3,000 on your certificate. I'm pretty sure with previous flying time, you'll catch on quick to the basic manuvers. everything will be pretty familiar to a powered aircraft, just a few things are thermaling (sp?) and landing higher (because you don't have an engine) are two I can think of right now, but there are some others.

[XLR99]

Congrats on solo'ing!!!
Here's the reg for those asking about experience: 61.109(f) (Private)
(f) For a glider category rating. (1) If the applicant for a private pilot certificate with a glider category rating has not logged at least 40 hours of flight time as a pilot in a heavier-than-air aircraft, the applicant must log at least 10 hours of flight time in a glider in the areas of operation listed in §61.107(b)(6) of this part, and that flight time must include at least—

(i) 20 flights in a glider in the areas of operations listed in §61.107(b)(6) of this part, including at least 3 training flights in a glider with an authorized instructor in preparation for the practical test that must have been performed within the 60-day period preceding the date of the test; and

(ii) 2 hours of solo flight time in a glider in the areas of operation listed in §61.107(b)(6) of this part, with not less than 10 launches and landings being performed.

(2) If the applicant has logged at least 40 hours of flight time in a heavier-than-air aircraft, the applicant must log at least 3 hours of flight time in a glider in the areas of operation listed in §61.107(b)(6) of this part, and that flight time must include at least—

(i) 10 solo flights in a glider in the areas of operation listed in §61.107(b)(6) of this part; and

(ii) 3 training flights in a glider with an authorized instructor in preparation for the practical test that must have been performed within the 60-day period preceding the date of the test.


The club I started soaring at is a little more $$:
500 to buy in, then 500/year (works out to 37.50/mo)
Tows to 3000 are 22, instruction is $20/hr.
I got a few hours in, then had to do some asset relocation before I could solo . Well, there's next year....
Here's a link to a video one of the pilots at the club posted on flightinfo, to get everyone stoked up on soaring now that the season is over:
http://media.putfile.com/Fun-Country...ellington-Ohio

[Realms09]

Costs of soaring will vary based on the top of operation you perform your training at and current local soaring conditions. There are two types of operations: commercial and clubs.

Commercial:
These are much like the local FBO where you train for your power ratings. you schedule a time, show-up and fly, and then leave. In this case you rent the glider, pay the instructor his or her hourly rate, and pay for your tow which is a function of altitude and fuel prices. Instructor rates are on par with the powered community, if not more expensive. Your glider instructor is likely a highly experienced glider hobbyist, not a low-time CFI trying to build time for an airline career, and so is in a position to charge more. The rate is $60 an hour at my school. The glider is cheap compared to a powered aircraft, $50 an hour. Tows are expensive because they involve fuel and a tow pilot, but if local soaring conditions are good you can minimize you need for tows since you are sustatining flight via energy in the atmosphere.

Club:
You pay some relatively low monthly fee for unlimited use of the club's gliders. Instruction can be free, but there is likely a charge for tows. All in all, flying in a club will be MUCH cheaper than flying at a commercial operation. What's the catch? The club is low cost because members provide services to one another, so you will need to do your part (walking wings, pushing gliders in to place, etc.). You replace some monetary cost with labor. This means in stead of flying for a couple of hours and leaving, you spend the entire day at the glider port helping out (not a bad thing if you ask me).

I am currently training at a commercial operation because the local club requires you to have a private-glider rating to join. Once I do get the rating, it will cost only $120 a month to use their gliders. If soaring conditions are good, that's a lot of flight time for not a lot of money.

[n57flyguy]

$120 a month isnt that bad at all for a month. I just hope I can start next year, powered is my priority now. Some day I would like to become an instructor on gliders.

[Kristie]

that's way cool... i'd love to take a glider flight someday!!