Forum for new Glider Pilots

[John Huthmaker]

Hi Everyone,

I just started taking Glider lessons this last weekend. I'm a Power Pilot with a PPL. So I'll be working on a glider rating.

I'm wondering if there are any good forums for soaring? I've googled it, and dont see allot. I gather that its such a niche sport, there isnt allot of resources out there.

I'm hoping to read posts to learn about thermaling, navigational aids, understanding weather as it relates to soaring, etc. Even though I'm not new to flying, and am new to soaring.

Thanks in advance.
John Huthmaker

[2G]

This forum is SUPPOSED to be about that, but degenerates into back-biting all to often. I recommend starting by reading some good reference books. For starters, you can get the FAA's handbook for free at:
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aircraft/glider_handbook/media/faa-h-8083-13a.pdf
Then, I recommend reading Reichman's books:
https://www.amazon.com/Flying-Sailplanes-Practical-Training-Manual/dp/B0006E1VSK
https://www.amazon.com/Cross-country-soaring-Helmut-Reichmann/dp/B0006CU278
These books are out of print, but used copies are available.
I don't know where you are located, but I strongly recommend that you find an experienced glider pilot mentor with whom you can discuss specific topics in detail. Unfortunately, forums are not very good at this, and can actually be counter-productive. Send me a private email with your phone and I am happy to discuss this further off-line.

Tom

[Chris Wedgwood[_2_]]

On Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 5:15:44 AM UTC+2, John Huthmaker wrote:
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I just started taking Glider lessons this last weekend. I'm a Power Pilot with a PPL. So I'll be working on a glider rating.
>
> I'm wondering if there are any good forums for soaring? I've googled it, and dont see allot. I gather that its such a niche sport, there isnt allot of resources out there.
>
> I'm hoping to read posts to learn about thermaling, navigational aids, understanding weather as it relates to soaring, etc. Even though I'm not new to flying, and am new to soaring.
>
> Thanks in advance.
> John Huthmaker

Theres a gliding section on reddit. Some helpful guys there.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Gliding/

Our Condor forum - most users are real glider pilots, many retired, so they have decades of real experience. Try

http://www.condorsoaring.com/forums/

[[email protected]]

Please consider our popular flight training manual: "Transition To Gliders"
On our website: WWW.EGLIDER.ORG
$29.95 plus shipping.

Tom Knauff

[John Huthmaker]

On Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 6:22:02 AM UTC-7, wrote:
> Please consider our popular flight training manual: "Transition To Gliders"
> On our website: WWW.EGLIDER.ORG
> $29.95 plus shipping.
>
> Tom Knauff

Hi Tom,

I'm quite honored that you replied to my thread. I picked up a copy of your book about a month ago, and read it cover to cover. Before reading it, I figured at least some percentage of the material would be stuff I learned as a power pilot. Not so at all. Everything in it is useful knowledge. Great book sir.

John

[Dan Marotta]

Good advice about a mentor.Â* If you can find an experienced XC pilot
with a ship of similar performance to yours and who is willing to take
you by the hand and lead you around a course, you're golden.Â* I was
fortunate that I found someone with the same ship that I had when I was
new and he lead me out to surf the leading edge of a cold front.Â* What a
revelation it was to get away from the field!

Ask questions as much as you can.Â* I recall asking a woman who, on a
practice day before a small weekend contest, had completed the task
before I was half way down the first leg, "How did you fly so fast?"Â*
She simply said, "Don't spend so much time climbing."Â* Again that was
great advice and, following it, I finished in first place in the Sports
Class for that contest.

Read, observe, and ask questions, and then, starting small at first,
extend your range and, before long, you'll be soaring great distances.Â*
It'll change your life.

On 8/8/2018 11:51 PM, 2G wrote:
> This forum is SUPPOSED to be about that, but degenerates into back-biting all to often. I recommend starting by reading some good reference books. For starters, you can get the FAA's handbook for free at:
> https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aircraft/glider_handbook/media/faa-h-8083-13a.pdf
> Then, I recommend reading Reichman's books:
> https://www.amazon.com/Flying-Sailplanes-Practical-Training-Manual/dp/B0006E1VSK
> https://www.amazon.com/Cross-country-soaring-Helmut-Reichmann/dp/B0006CU278
> These books are out of print, but used copies are available.
> I don't know where you are located, but I strongly recommend that you find an experienced glider pilot mentor with whom you can discuss specific topics in detail. Unfortunately, forums are not very good at this, and can actually be counter-productive. Send me a private email with your phone and I am happy to discuss this further off-line.
>
> Tom

--
Dan, 5J

[John Huthmaker]

On Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 8:19:44 AM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:
> Good advice about a mentor.Â* If you can find an experienced XC pilot
> with a ship of similar performance to yours and who is willing to take
> you by the hand and lead you around a course, you're golden.Â* I was
> fortunate that I found someone with the same ship that I had when I was
> new and he lead me out to surf the leading edge of a cold front.Â* What a
> revelation it was to get away from the field!
>
> Ask questions as much as you can.Â* I recall asking a woman who, on a
> practice day before a small weekend contest, had completed the task
> before I was half way down the first leg, "How did you fly so fast?"Â*
> She simply said, "Don't spend so much time climbing."Â* Again that was
> great advice and, following it, I finished in first place in the Sports
> Class for that contest.
>
> Read, observe, and ask questions, and then, starting small at first,
> extend your range and, before long, you'll be soaring great distances.Â*
> It'll change your life.
>
> On 8/8/2018 11:51 PM, 2G wrote:
> > This forum is SUPPOSED to be about that, but degenerates into back-biting all to often. I recommend starting by reading some good reference books. For starters, you can get the FAA's handbook for free at:
> > https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aircraft/glider_handbook/media/faa-h-8083-13a.pdf
> > Then, I recommend reading Reichman's books:
> > https://www.amazon.com/Flying-Sailplanes-Practical-Training-Manual/dp/B0006E1VSK
> > https://www.amazon.com/Cross-country-soaring-Helmut-Reichmann/dp/B0006CU278
> > These books are out of print, but used copies are available.
> > I don't know where you are located, but I strongly recommend that you find an experienced glider pilot mentor with whom you can discuss specific topics in detail. Unfortunately, forums are not very good at this, and can actually be counter-productive. Send me a private email with your phone and I am happy to discuss this further off-line.
> >
> > Tom
>
> --
> Dan, 5J

All good advice. I should probably provide some clarity to my training situation. I joined Soaring Society of America, and found a flying club about 45 minutes from my house. Through them I connected with one of their lead CFIG's, and have an open line of communication with him. I'm sure I could ask him my same questions; but figured asking the masses would likely lead to more insight. With the responsiveness of this aviation group, this might be my best bet. Coincidentally, when I was working on my PPL over 10 years ago, I used rec.aviation.piloting, and found it to be a good place for insight.

[CindyB[_2_]]

On Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 8:52:29 AM UTC-7, John Huthmaker wrote:
> On Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 8:19:44 AM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:

> > Good advice about a mentor.Â*
> <snipped >
> > Ask questions as much as you can.Â*
<snipped>
> >
> > Read, observe, and ask questions, and then, <snipped>
Â*
> > It'll change your life.
> >
> > On 8/8/2018 11:51 PM, 2G wrote:
> > > This forum is SUPPOSED to be about that, but degenerates into back-biting all to often.
>
><snipped>

I'm sure I could ask him my same questions; but figured asking the masses would likely lead to more insight. With the responsiveness of this aviation group, this might be my best bet. Coincidentally, when I was working on my PPL over 10 years ago, I used rec.aviation.piloting, and found it to be a good place for insight.


I am glad you joined SSA. SSA is a huge resource, often under-utilized.

I checked and found you are near me, and associated with a club with a strong training program. Feel free to read EVERYTHING on r.a.s. but then check it with your CFIG members for validity. As a pilot already, you have been through the drill of finding a CFI who makes good sense to you, and charts you a course for steady progress. There is no one-way fits-all path to a glider pilot certificate.

SSA has been hosting webinars this summer to address some of your topics of curiosity. These programs are archived on their web site. You can play them back for free an unlimited number of times.
http://www.ssa.org/MyHome.asp?mbr=8772546648

Also, the Weather Task Force/Committee has a page with tutorials and links. http://www.ssa.org/SoaringWeather

Those links address the topics about which you inquired. A couple folks have offered mentoring. As a long-time CFIG, and former SSA Director, I am a resource also. Keep learning and enjoy soaring. Welcome !

Cindy B
Mojave, CA

[Scott Manley[_3_]]

John,

Glider flight simulation can be very helpful in your pursuit of a glider rating. "Condor" is an excellent simulation. I would be happy to help you get going in that direction if you're interested.

Feel free to contact me via my website "gliderCFI.com".

Welcome to soaring!

Scott Manley - CFIG

[John Huthmaker]

On Friday, August 10, 2018 at 11:57:57 AM UTC-7, Scott Manley wrote:
> John,
>
> Glider flight simulation can be very helpful in your pursuit of a glider rating. "Condor" is an excellent simulation. I would be happy to help you get going in that direction if you're interested.
>
> Feel free to contact me via my website "gliderCFI.com".
>
> Welcome to soaring!
>
> Scott Manley - CFIG

I went ahead and purchased a copy of Condor just now. My flight club is grounded this weekend due to the fires, so now I can at least get some practice in.

[[email protected]]

You might want to check out the resources at http://www.gliderbooks.com and http://academy.gliderbooks.com. Also, be sure to sign up for our Flight Training Newsletter.
Welcome!
--Rhonda