Glider Flying
- Thread starter nkoenig
- Start date
tlewis95
I drive planes
Yep, I have about 250 hours in gliders, and fly in races every once in a while.
Its a ton of fun (especially once you start flying cross country and/or racing) and very very safe.
You can go to www.ssa.org to find out more.
Its a ton of fun (especially once you start flying cross country and/or racing) and very very safe.
You can go to www.ssa.org to find out more.
Douglas
Old School KSUX
I only have a few flights under my belt and i am working towards my certificate, but I can tell you that every time I have left the glider airport, I am smiling uncontrollably.
So yeah, it is fun.
nkoenig
New Member
Thanks for the response. I plan to check it out at his place http://www.houstonsoaring.org/
Not too far from the casa.
Not too far from the casa.
Nihon_Ni
Well-Known Member
I thought I knew how to use the rudder until I started flying gliders. I love the challenge of finding rising air and using all your skill to keep the glider aloft as long as you can. On my longest flight I got a tow to 1000' and disconnected from the tow plane, then proceeded to fly for 3 more hours before my bladder finally made me land. I added a glider rating to my certificate in 4 days of training. To me, flying gliders is like therapy. I love it!!
USMCmech
Well-Known Member
x2
It's really fun. I've done five lessons, and plan on finishing up when I get some more time.
Lance F
Well-Known Member
Over 600 hours of glider time. Mostly cross country and competition flying. It's how I started too. Keep at it and you'll really develop your stick and rudder skills as well as a good knowledge of micrometeorology. No doubt it's a lot of fun (unless you're about 800' AGL, 200+ miles from where you want to be and all the other gliders you're competing against seem to be still in the air at 10,000' 
)
)How I started as well. I've seen in general less accidents with gliders, and while power pilot friends keep dying, I haven't lost any friends in glider accidents.
Depending on the airport you're going to, if its a club or a business, soaring often sports a friendly social atmosphere for good times on the ground as well.
Depending on the airport you're going to, if its a club or a business, soaring often sports a friendly social atmosphere for good times on the ground as well.
USMCmech
Well-Known Member
If my son shows any intrest in flying, he'll start in a glider. Then once he knows how to really fly, I'll help him knock out his power ratings.
tlewis95
I drive planes
That is a wonderful feeling... :whatever:No doubt it's a lot of fun (unless you're about 800' AGL, 200+ miles from where you want to be and all the other gliders you're competing against seem to be still in the air at 10,000'
Now a really really cool feeling, is being in a loose formation of 6 gliders 5 miles out diving for the line into the low sun! :laff:
tlewis95
I drive planes
That sounds about right for a commercial FBO type operation, but a club should be a little bit cheaper than that per flight. Of course, in a club there are dues to pay each month too.
Your right, a $30 and 2,000 foot tow, in my glider, and I am gone on a 6 hour flight, ends up being a pretty cheap way to build total time, and possibly a lot of cross country time if I end up landing more than 50 miles away.
DeltaAVL
New Member
Glider time doesn't apply for total time requirements, does it?Your right, a $30 and 2,000 foot tow, in my glider, and I am gone on a 6 hour flight, ends up being a pretty cheap way to build total time, and possibly a lot of cross country time if I end up landing more than 50 miles away.
USMCmech
Well-Known Member
Why wouldn't it?
It's an aircraft certified by the FAA, and requires a pilot certificate.
Wolfy
Well-Known Member
It does, but there are different ways it can be valued when going for a rating, insurance requirements or job applications.
tlewis95
I drive planes
Of course it can. Which is why in the experience requirements for some licenses have "airplane" time listed specifically instead of just total time.
But I can include it in total time when talking to potential employers.