Greg Arnold wrote:
Mike wrote:
I am preparing to take my written Commercial Glider exam and have been
using various test guides and on line practice tests. I am curious as
to why there are questions pertaining to radio navigation included in
the question pool. Has anyone ever used a VOR or ADF in a glider?

Mike


I just took the commercial glider written exam, and 9 of the 100
questions on my exam pertained to this subject. As for why the FAA
thinks such questions are relevant -- who knows?


First, find your FAA Practical Test Standards booklet (PTS) and open to
page 1. The FAA welcomes your input and gives you the address to send
your written comments. I've talked with these FAA folks in Oklahoma
City and they are really interested in updating to "real world" testing
scenarios.

Next, know that the FAA is planning to update this PTS and the COM
Knowledge Test soon, and will use the new FAA Glider Flying Handbook
FAA-H-8083-13 as a reference. Chapters 4 and 11 discuss GPS
navigation. Tom Knauff sells his updated version at www.eglider.org

Also see the training bibliography (list of training texts and videos)
at the Soaring Safety Foundation website www.soaringsafety.org

In the meantime if you are taking the knowledge test (written) anytime
soon, you'll need to learn about VOR navigation. So study - it's
elegant and not that hard, and there are several good explanations in
FAA and other publications. As for why? - In the 1960's, I remember
seeing VOR receivers in sailplanes usually used for cross country in
areas of the USA where pilotage navigation was difficult due to haze,
lack of checkpoints or non-descript terrain. I recall the SSA pondered
a rule against VOR receivers for contests back then.

Anyhow, look at your PTS Area of Operation VIII (Navigation), Task A.
There is no stated requirement to demonstrate VOR or GPS navigation on
the actual checkride (Practical Test), although an Examiner might see
number 7 as a portal through which s/he could explore your VOR or GPS
knowledge. Keep in mind that if you bring a glider (or motorglider)
with a VOR or GPS onboard to your checkride, the Examiner might ask you
to demonstrate how it works. For that matter, if you bring a glider
with a pellet variometer, then you should know how that vintage (but
reliable) instrument works as well.

By the way, I've had some students show up for glider training with
their portable GPS in hand, and they really know how to make those
amazing little devices sing. Then we pull out a sectional chart and
ask them to plot a cross country course - with the batteries removed
from their GPS. Suddenly the singing stops. My point is - know how to
do it all - it's all really interesting anyhow. Ask any active CFIG -
we're here to help.

Please also remember that the most important piece of glass in your
glass cockpit is - the plexiglas. I hate thermaling opposite a
head-down techno-pilot when they don't look around for other
sailplanes, birds, dustdevils, new wisps of cloud, wind shifts, large
rocks, etc. I outclimb them anyway, 'cause they miss the really
important information (and scenery) outside.

Good luck in your studies for the FAA tests. Again, talk with your
CFIG for help on your weaker areas of knowledge.

Burt Compton
Master CFI
FAA Designated Pilot Examiner
Marfa, Texas