HOW TO HAVE FUN WITH YOUR GLIDER RATING Local Options Better Thermal Options - Go west young man. Ridge Soaring - Remember that last Thomas Crown Affair movie? Wave Soaring - Again, west is where you need to go, in the winter. Winch Launching - As close to a catapult launch as most of us will ever get.Get that ‘Self Launch’ endorsement. Join the CAP Vintage Soaring Vacation Opportunities Owning is easier than you think

THAT FIVE MILE LIMIT  It’s common place to limit novices to a five mile radius.  Given a 3000’ release and a 1000’ IP, even ‘sled’ rides are comfortable.  Setup a few ten mile straight line courses.  Next, pick out a triangle course.

Listen, Watch and Learn  Every site has at least one ‘House Thermal’.  Every site has unique geography.  Read, watch, then read and watch some more.  Every site has at least one cross country ‘expert’.  Practice, practice, practice.

LOCAL OPTIONS SSA and FAI Badges  SSA A - B - C  FAI Bronze - Silver - Gold - Diamond  FAI 1000km Diploma

“A" badge requirements Preflight phase: The applicant has knowledge of 1. Sailplane nomenclature 2. Sailplane handling procedure Presolo phase Applicant has completed the following minimum flight training program: 1. Familiarization flight 2. Cockpit check procedure 3. Effects of controls, on the ground and in flight 4. Take off procedure, cross wind takeoffs 5. Flight during tow 6. Straight and level flight 7. Simple turns 8. Circuit procedure and landing patterns 9. Landing procedure, downwind and crosswind landings 10. Moderate and steep turns up to 720 degrees in both directions 11. Stalls and stall recovery 12. Conditions of spin entry and spin recovery 13. Effective use of spoilers/flaps and slips 14. Emergency procedures 15. Oral exam on FAR's 16. Solo Flight

B" Badge Requirements Practice phase: 1. Demonstration of soaring ability by solo flight of at least thirty minutes duration after release from 2000' tow (add 1.5 minutes/100' tow above 2000')

"C" Badge Requirements Precross-country phase: 1. Dual soaring practice, including instruction in techniques for soaring thermals, ridges, and waves (simulated flight and/or ground instruction may be used when suitable conditions do not exist) 2. Have Knowledge of: cross-country procedure recommended in the American Soaring Handbook Glider assembly, disassembly and retrieving Dangers of cross-country flying 3. Solo practice 4. Demonstration of soaring ability by solo flight of at least sixty minutes duration after release from 2000' tow (add 1.5 minutes/100' tow above 2000') 5. While accompanied by a SSA instructor, demonstrate the ability to: make a simulated off-airfield landing without reference to the altimeter, perform an accuracy landing from the approach, touching down and coming to a complete stop within an area 500' in length.

Bronze Badge Requirements 1.Complete the ABC program with the C badge awarded 2.log at least 15 solo hours in gliders, including 30 solo flights which at least 10 are flown in a single place glider 3. Log at least two flights each which have two hours duration or more 4. Perform three solo spot landings in a glider witnessed by a SSA instructor. The accuracy and distance parameters are based upon the gliders performance, current winds, runway surface condition, and density altitude. As a guideline, a minimum distance of 400' would be acceptible for a Schweizer (this is a land and stop in a specified zone requirement) 5. Log dual time in gliders with an instructor during which at least two accuracy landings (same as above) were made without reference to an altimeter to simulate off field and strange field landings. 6. Pass a closed book written examination covering cross-country techniques and knowledge. Minimum passing grade is 80%.

1.) Silver Altitude is a 1,000-meter (3,281-foot) altitude gain above an in-flight low point; 2.) Silver Duration is a 5-hour flight time after tow release and 3.) Silver Distance is a 50-km (31.07-mile) cross country flight. The FAI Silver Badge

1.) Gold Altitude is a 3,000-meter (9,843-foot) altitude gain above an in-flight low point; 2.) Gold Distance is a 300-km ( mile) cross country flight. The FAI Gold Badge

1.) Diamond Altitude is a 5,000-meter (16,404-foot) altitude gain above an in-flight low point; 2.) Diamond Goal is a 300-km ( mile) cross country flight using a pre-declared Out and Return or Triangle course; 3.) Diamond Distance is a 500-km (310.7-mile) cross country flight. The FAI Diamond Badge

FAI 1000km Diploma  A special certificate is issued with the completion of a 1000km (621 mile) flight

GO WEST YOUNG MAN  Actually southwest. Arizona, New Mexico & Texas.  Arizona: Sheble, Turf & Estrella  New Mexico: Moriarity (365 days a year), Hobbs (Summer Weekends), White Sands(Weekends year round)  Texas: Soaring Over Texas(North of DFW, Everyday, APR – Nov), Marfa(Burt Compton’s place, Year round, by appointment), El Paso Soaring(Weekends year round), San Antonio Soaring(365 days a year)

Ridge Soaring  Any good size hill with a strong perpendicular wind will work.  Appalachians – Ridge Soaring Gliderport ( Julian PA  The Cascades – Cascade Soaring Society ( East Wananachee WA, Northwest Sky Sports, Hood River OR.

Wave Soaring  Do your homework first! You need more than warm clothes and a good understanding of the use of oxygen.  Several of the ridge soaring sights have wave conditions.  Wave windows are opened to allow you to fly in Class A, VFR.  Wave Heaven -- Minden NV (Soar NV, ) & Trukee CA (Soar Trukee). Both offer packages.

Winch Launching  In most of the world, winch launching is the norm.  The necessary winch launch endorsement is easy to get, if you can find a winch.  Prescott Soaring Society (

The Self Launch Endorsement  How long will it take?  What is involved?  Where can I go to get the endorsement? AZ: Sky King Soaring in Payson AZ: Sky King Soaring in Payson PA: Ridge Soaring Gliderport PA: Ridge Soaring Gliderport TX: Marfa Gliders TX: Marfa Gliders Texas Soaring Association Texas Soaring Association San Antonio Soaring Society San Antonio Soaring Society Greater Houston Soaring Association Greater Houston Soaring Association

The Civil Air Patrol  The CAP has several local squadrons in the area.  Senior (Adult) members, give orientation ‘O’ flights to cadets. (Both glider and powered).  There are two annual glider encampments in this area, looking for a few good instructors.

Vintage Sailplane  The Vintage Sailplane Association (vintagesailplane.org) -- Flying a piece of history is not only educational but inexpensive too!  Lawrenceville-Vincennes Airport (KLWV), Lawrenceville, IL, - Longer Soaring Season / Bunk House / Low Fees

VACATION OPPORTUNITIES  USA – Hawai = Dillingham, on the north shore(  Outside of the US – Start with that winch launch endorsement!  Europe – European Gliding Union ( Links tab.

OWNING IS EASIER  The cost of ownership is a fraction of that of a powered aircraft.  The cost of maintenance is a fraction of that of a powered aircraft.  The cost of operation is almost free.  Like all aircraft, partnerships are popular.

QUESTIONS?