To VOR or not to VOR?

[Thomas Van de Velde]

The question on whether VOR/ADF is a required subject for FAA glider ratings has come up on this mailing list but without a conclusive answer. I've recapped another recent discussion along with input from the FAA on my blog:

http://flightbit.com/2013/06/11/to-vor-or-not-to-vor/

I hope this clarifies the confusion on the subject.

Thomas

[[email protected]]

Is this only for the private pilot rating or does it apply to the
commercial pilot rating as well?

As an aside question, has anyone used exams4pilots.org to prepare for
the commercial glider pilot rating? I have gone through several
practice tests and noticed that several questions are given that have
nothing to do with glider flying. As a commercial glider pilot why do
I care about fuel burn, manifold pressure and how the engine works? It
is a convenient free website, but as it relates to preparing for the
commercial glider pilot exam, the website leaves a bit to be desired.

[Doug Mueller]

At 19:15 12 June 2013, wrote:
>Is this only for the private pilot rating or does it apply to the
>commercial pilot rating as well?
>
>As an aside question, has anyone used exams4pilots.org to
prepare for
>the commercial glider pilot rating? I have gone through several
>practice tests and noticed that several questions are given that
have
>nothing to do with glider flying. As a commercial glider pilot why
do
>I care about fuel burn, manifold pressure and how the engine
works? It
>is a convenient free website, but as it relates to preparing for the
>commercial glider pilot exam, the website leaves a bit to be
desired.
>

Recently I was informed that the FAA had decided to change all FAA
airman testing requirements. Although not published, the FAA made
a determination that an airman seeking a rating should be familiar
with the knowledge base that is applicable to the appropriate rating
sought. So now when an airman tests for a written they will be
tested for the questions in that apply to the category of GLI,ALL for
glider ratings. This comes from my sources in Oklahoma City. I
managed to find out first hand when seeking my CFI-G written last
fall. The test changed in October last year. To my knowledge that
mind set has not changed. When you study the questions make sure
you study the questions that are classified as ALL as well as GLI.

[noel.wade]

On Jun 12, 12:15*pm, wrote:
> Is this only for the private pilot rating or does it apply to the
> commercial pilot rating as well?
>
> As an aside question, has anyone used exams4pilots.org to prepare for
> the commercial glider pilot rating? *I have gone through several
> practice tests and noticed that several questions are given that have
> nothing to do with glider flying. *As a commercial glider pilot why do
> I care about fuel burn, manifold pressure and how the engine works? It
> is a convenient free website, but as it relates to preparing for the
> commercial glider pilot exam, the website leaves a bit to be desired.

Are you sure you changed the test-type and saved that change? You may
need to re-select the type of exam you want, each time you visit or
with each computer you use to access the site.

And yes, I saw some powered-airplane-type questions on my commercial
glider written exam, back when I took it in 2010. Not sure about
changes in the last 2 years, though.

--Noel

[GM]

On Wednesday, June 12, 2013 6:00:59 PM UTC-4, noel.wade wrote:
> On Jun 12, 12:15*pm, wrote:
>
> > Is this only for the private pilot rating or does it apply to the
>
> > commercial pilot rating as well?
>
> >
>
> > As an aside question, has anyone used exams4pilots.org to prepare for
>
> > the commercial glider pilot rating? *I have gone through several
>
> > practice tests and noticed that several questions are given that have
>
> > nothing to do with glider flying. *As a commercial glider pilot why do
>
> > I care about fuel burn, manifold pressure and how the engine works? It
>
> > is a convenient free website, but as it relates to preparing for the
>
> > commercial glider pilot exam, the website leaves a bit to be desired.
>
>
>
> Are you sure you changed the test-type and saved that change? You may
>
> need to re-select the type of exam you want, each time you visit or
>
> with each computer you use to access the site.
>
>
>
> And yes, I saw some powered-airplane-type questions on my commercial
>
> glider written exam, back when I took it in 2010. Not sure about
>
> changes in the last 2 years, though.
>
>
>
> --Noel

Took my Commercial Glider knowledge written test a couple of weeks ago and there were quite a number of radio-nav questions in it. The only logic explanation I have for this is that one could fly a Grob G109, Stemme S10, Ximango, HK36, etc. with a glider license yet have a near complete IFR panel. I have yet to find an HSI in a pure glider ;-)
GM

[bill palmer]

Perhaps it's because once you pass the commercial written, you're done.
But the author of the interpretation should read the first part of the rule:
" ...on the aeronautical knowledge areas of paragraph (b) of this section THAT APPLY TO THE AIRCRAFT CATEGORY AND CLASS RATING SOUGHT..

On Wednesday, June 12, 2013 10:34:24 AM UTC-7, Thomas Van de Velde wrote:
> The question on whether VOR/ADF is a required subject for FAA glider ratings has come up on this mailing list but without a conclusive answer. I've recapped another recent discussion along with input from the FAA on my blog:
>
>
>
> http://flightbit.com/2013/06/11/to-vor-or-not-to-vor/
>
>
>
> I hope this clarifies the confusion on the subject.
>
>
>
> Thomas

[Thin Air]

I took the private glider pilot test just a few weeks ago (June 2013) and there are still plenty of questions related to radio/nav/vor on the test.

I find it entertaining (in a sad sort of way) that the FAA will 'definitively' answer questions about what is in the test without knowing what is in the test.

JB

[Thin Air]

On Wednesday, June 12, 2013 1:34:24 PM UTC-4, Thomas Van de Velde wrote:

> I hope this clarifies the confusion on the subject.

> Thomas

It doesn't, because the answers they gave you to your question are wrong.