CFI/CFII/MEI Looking to earn glider add-ons...

[Wm226]

Hi All,

I would like to fly gliders. Particularly, I want to earn my "CFI - Glider" add-on. I have my CFI, CFII, and MEI -- with nearly 300 hours total time. I have a few questions about glider flying; they are as follows:

1. About how much would glider training cost me (Private - Glider, Commercial - Glider, and Certified Flight Instructor - Glider)? A rough estimate would suffice.

2. About how long would the three certificates (listed above) take to complete if pursuing it on a part-time/weekend basis (an average of two days per week)?

3. Does anyone have recommendations to any Glider schools in the Southern California area?


Thank You!

 

[tlewis95]

Hi All,

I would like to fly gliders. Particularly, I want to earn my "CFI - Glider" add-on. I have my CFI, CFII, and MEI -- with nearly 300 hours total time. I have a few questions about glider flying; they are as follows:

1. About how much would glider training cost me (Private - Glider, Commercial - Glider, and Certified Flight Instructor - Glider)? A rough estimate would suffice.

2. About how long would the three certificates (listed above) take to complete if pursuing it on a part-time/weekend basis (an average of two days per week)?

3. Does anyone have recommendations to any Glider schools in the Southern California area?


Thank You!

I can't very easily give you a quote, because it varies quite a bit. Best bet would be to call the specific operation you want to fly with to get an idea of what it will cost.

(edit* After looking at the SkySailing site below, they say $2000-$2800 for a transition, but that is only to the Private level, double that probably to get to CFI)

As far as SoCal soaring goes, there are a TON of operations around there.

I have flown at SkySailing (http://www.skysailing.com/) and they seemed like they would be able to do great training.

However, use the SSA "Where to Fly" tool to get an idea of what operation you want to look into.

http://ssa.org/sport/wheretofly.asp

Go ahead and join the SSA while you are at it.

 

[drunkenbeagle]

1. About how much would glider training cost me (Private - Glider, Commercial - Glider, and Certified Flight Instructor - Glider)? A rough estimate would suffice.

Not much point doing the private glider rating, the commercial takes just 10 flights more. The ride isn't much different than the private.

Already having a CFI-A, you won't need any written tests, just two rides with a DPE.

As tlewis pointed out, join the SSA. You'll need to anyway to fly at most clubs. The link he posted has pretty typical prices for SoCal.

I would talk to them if you plan on actively instructing there, the may give you a break on the price. (My club cuts you a break for getting a CFI-G or towplane checkout).

 

[ProudPilot]

Ha, North Dakota isn't even an option... now that's a little funny considering the thermals we get year round out here.

 

[Douglas]

Not much point doing the private glider rating, the commercial takes just 10 flights more.

Tis true

Already having a CFI-A, you won't need any written tests, just two rides with a DPE.

1/2 right here.
Glider CFI requires a written to be completed.

-61.191 additional flight instructor rating . Glider is a new Certificate.
-61.185 makes a written CFII test required even though it is a rating.
-61.63 is why no commercial pilot glider written is required for him.

------

OP, I am going through this myself. It is a blast. Hopefully in the spring when the grass opens up I will get my commercial/CFI...I've already been slugging through it in a club for 1.5 years. eek

Price will vary. For me, if there is no lift a tow equals about the same as an hour solo rental 150.

 

[drunkenbeagle]

Price will vary. For me, if there is no lift a tow equals about the same as an hour solo rental 150.

Sorry about that, CFI-G written would be the one test.

That is a pretty expensive tow. We just decided to raise our tow prices today to beef up the engine reserve fund, they are now $10 + $1 per foot, free glider rental. So, $35 for a 2500' tow. It used to be $30.


Flying the Pawnee is my new challenge. High winds kept me from doing simulated tows today. High speed taxis with a strong crosswind instead (x-wind component gusting 21 on the ASOS). I didn't groundloop, but only because I saw one coming during a gust and decided going onto the grass was a better option.

For anyone that doesn't already know, taxiing a heavy taildragger at 35 kts (Vso 41) in a 21 kt crosswind is not "easy." Scary is a better way to describe it.

 

[msmspilot]

Sorry about that, CFI-G written would be the one test.

That is a pretty expensive tow. We just decided to raise our tow prices today to beef up the engine reserve fund, they are now $10 + $1 per foot, free glider rental. So, $35 for a 2500' tow. It used to be $30.


Flying the Pawnee is my new challenge. High winds kept me from doing simulated tows today. High speed taxis with a strong crosswind instead (x-wind component gusting 21 on the ASOS). I didn't groundloop, but only because I saw one coming during a gust and decided going onto the grass was a better option.

For anyone that doesn't already know, taxiing a heavy taildragger at 35 kts (Vso 41) in a 21 kt crosswind is not "easy." Scary is a better way to describe it.

I have wondered; how do you simulate a glider tow?

 

[tlewis95]

I have wondered; how do you simulate a glider tow?

Fly up too 2000' in the towplane by yourself, going through the motions of the rope hook-up, and going through the mental process of what the glider will be doing. The climb route is important to understand as well, most glider pilots don't like getting off tow when they are out of glide range of the airport. Finally, there must always be consideration of the tow-rope, so making your approaches, and taxi routes with the idea that you have a 200' long rope that would just love to snag a light dragging around behind you.

 

[msmspilot]

Fly up too 2000' in the towplane by yourself, going through the motions of the rope hook-up, and going through the mental process of what the glider will be doing. The climb route is important to understand as well, most glider pilots don't like getting off tow when they are out of glide range of the airport. Finally, there must always be consideration of the tow-rope, so making your approaches, and taxi routes with the idea that you have a 200' long rope that would just love to snag a light dragging around behind you.

Ok. I didn't know if you did something that simulated the extra weight/drag or just went through procedures. Now I know

Thanks.

 

[drunkenbeagle]

Ok. I didn't know if you did something that simulated the extra weight/drag or just went through procedures. Now I know

Airspeeds are pretty critical too. There is a pretty narrow range where the towplane can get decent climb performance without exceeding the max aerotow speed of the glider. (72kts is a typical speed).

Being in gliding distance to the airport is important, as well as being upwind of it.