GLIDER FLIGHT TRAINING DETAILS

Student Pilot;

There are no age limits as to when you can begin training to become a glider pilot. However, students will not be able to fly solo until they are at least 14 years old. Student certificate endorsement for solo flight is at the discretion of a CFIG. Generally, 30 to 50 flights with a CFIG are required to solo. This is roughly equivalent to 10-15 hours of flight time and is dependent upon the progress of the student.

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FAA Private Pilot Glider (PPL Glider) Rating;

To obtain your private pilot certificate with a glider rating you must:

1. Be at least 16 years old.

2. Have no medical conditions that would prevent you from safely piloting a glider (a medical certificate is not required for glider pilots).

3. Have logged at least 10 hours of flight time in a glider and that flight time must include at least 20 total glider flights

4. Have a minimum of 2 hours of solo flight time in a glider with no less than 10 launches and landing performed.

5. Have passed the FAA written examination.

6. Have passed the oral and flight test with an FAA examiner.

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FAA Commercial Pilot Glider (CPL Glider) Rating;

To obtain your commercial pilot certificate with a glider rating you must;

1. Be at least 18 years old.

2. Hold a private pilot license with:

   • 25 hours of flight time in gliders with at least 100 glider flights as pilot-in-command,

   • or a total of 200 hours of flight time in heavier-than-air aircraft including 20 glider flights as pilot-in-command, 3 hours or ten flights training in a glider, and five solo flights in a glider.

3. Have passed the FAA written examination.

4. Have passed the oral and flight test with an FAA examiner.

 

FAA Certified Flight Instructor - Glider (CFI-G) Rating;

To obtain your CFI-G certificate you must;​

1. Hold a commercial pilot license.​

2. Have an endorsement from a qualified instructor of aeronautical knowledge and flight of proficiency

3. Have passed the FAA written examination.

4. Have passed the oral and flight test with an FAA examiner.

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Glider Add-on for previously FAA rated pilot;​

For power pilots, glider training greatly enhances stick-&-rudder skills, as well as understanding of atmospheric dynamics.

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If you have a valid FAA private pilot license with a minimum of 40 hours as pilot-in-command you must:

1. Have a minimum of 3 hours of flight time in a glider in the required area of operations.

2. Have a minimum of 10 solo flights in a glider.

3. Have a minimum of 3 training flights in a glider with a CFGI in preparation of the practical test within the preceding ​​​2 calendar months.

4. Have passed the oral and flight test with an FAA examiner.

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No written exam is required for glider add-on rating.