Sailplane/Glider flying

[Low&Slow]

I'm thinking about flying sailplanes this summer at either Lake Village, Indiana, or Marshall, Michigan and was wondering if anyone on here has any experience at either of those places. They are both roughly equidistant from my home, but I'm curious if one has any benefit over the other.
I'm not really sure what else I need to know, because I'm just starting to look into sailplane flying. Also, what do I need to do to be able to fly the towplane in addition to the gliders? Just a checkout, or is there an actual FAA checkride for that?

 

[hammerhat]

Just an endorsement, no FAA ride. That's assuming you meet FAR requirements like number of simulated tows etc.

 

[hook_dupin]

The FAA rules: you need an endorsement.

Reality: you need to hang around the glider port for years to establish your reputation.

 

[hammerhat]

In my experience if you are a glider pilot and proficient in tailwheel that gets reduced to a few months.

 

[CFI A&P]

While near Marshall on a trip, I drove over there to check out the airport and wander around. No sign of gliders, and the only person on the airport said that "sometimes it's like herding cats to get a glider instructor out here." Cool airport and cool town, we ate at the recommended restaurant in town. I was quite surprised to see a horse drawn carriage tied up outside the restaurant on the main strip.

 

[drunkenbeagle]

In my experience if you are a glider pilot and proficient in tailwheel that gets reduced to a few months.

Correct. I was towing a week after getting a glider certificate.

 

[tlewis95]

I have been to the Lake Village operation once and they seemed like they knew what they were doing. Somewhat on the small side which can be good and bad. Being a glider pilot will make being a good tow pilot pretty easy.

 

[Houston]

Get this and read it in advance:

http://www.amazon.com/Glider-Handbook-Federal-Aviation-Administration/dp/1602390614

As far as being a tow pilot, different places can be very different. Some are begging for tow pilots and some have more than they need. Some places (but not many) tow with a tricycle gear airplane. For the tailwheel operations, the insurance seems to be the limiting factor and it is more stringent now than years ago.

 

[Low&Slow]

Thanks guys.
I think I'll start with the airport at Lake Village Indiana. I know they're active because I drive past that airport community several times every year and I saw them out there this past summer once. I'll probably look into the one in Marshall too because I get up in that area quite frequently as well. Their website hasn't been updated since 2008 though and the instructor's profile hasn't been updated in over a decade, but it could still be an active place.
As far as flying the towplane, flying the towplane is just something extra to do to help out the club, I'm mostly interested at trying sailplanes/gliders out. I don't have a tailwheel endorsement yet, but the place in Indiana uses a nosedragger (C-150) as a tow plane.
Anybody have an idea of what this will cost me? I want to get my CFI and if this turns out to be expensive, then I will have to defer it until after I have my CFI. If that happens, then I will probably still stop by and see about getting up once or twice anyhow just to see what it's like.

 

[pfsag]

We have our Spring Safety Seminar on Saturday March 29 at Lake Village Airport. This will be the first meeting of the year and you will be able to meet most of the guys and gals who fly here. We currently have 4 volunteer glider flight instructors available and active so getting one to fly with you should not be a problem. Any one interested in flying is welcome.

If you are current in airplanes (ie have a private pilot or higher rating in airplanes) you do not need to be current in gliders to get a towpilot endorsement nor to remain current for towing gliders. However the FARs do require some training in sailplanes as you do need both a glider instructor's and a current towpilot's endorsements to begin towing gliders.

Also, if you are current in airplanes a glider add-on rating is relatively straightforward. If you stick with your training you can finish it off within one season. If you are new to flying it will more likely take a bit longer.

Besides the Cessna tricycle gear towplane, we also have access to a Citabria taildragger as a towplane. So a tailwheel endorsement can also be acheived here as well.

As to costs, please contact Bill through our website and he should be able to provide you with some ballpark glider training requirements from which you can figure your cost. We have both email as well as phone contact information listed on the website.

Learning to fly sailplanes is not cheap but it is not overly expensive either. We do feel that the challenge of learning to soar is worth the expense. Most pilots who try it out usually get addicted and remain glider pilots for life.