First let me say this is an intelligent set of questions. I'll do my
best and let others jump in to fill the gaps.

On Nov 1, 2:09*pm, Jack Hamilton wrote:
I'm thinking of getting a pilot license, or at least taking enough
training to solo. *I've wanted to do it for a long time. *I've started
reading various plane and pilot oriented magazines (AOPA, EAA, and
SSA), though to be honest a lot of it goes over my head - something
that I assume will be corrected by training.

Perfectly normal. It gets clearer after a while.


The choice is between glider and sports pilot, and I'm leaning towards
glider. *I took a scenic ride at the Williams Soaring Center a few
weeks ago; it was fun, and the people there were very nice (I talked
to several employees and a student). *In general gliders are better
looking than small power planes, and I have already have a slight
hearing loss, so avoiding noisy engines would be a good thing. *Also,
I like the idea of not having a big panel of dials and gauges to
watch.

I live in Sacramento, California, and the flight schools for either
type of license are at least an hour away, so there's no advantage in
convenience one way or the other, and there's not a huge cost
difference.

A few questions:

1) There aren't many places listed on the SSA learn-to-fly page
(http://www.ssa.org/sport/map/map.html), but I know there are other
places nearby to go gliding (in Napa, for example). *Is it just a
question of finding a tow plane, or are there restrictions on where
gliders are allowed to take off?

Glider operation do tend to be spread out. There are no regulations
as to where they can fly but there are economic and practical
limitations. You are in a better location than many people.

2) Related to that, where are gliders allowed to fly?

Part of your training will be about airspace and the limitations that
imposes. The limitations depend on both pilot qualifications -
commercial pilots can go where students can't - and equipment in the
glider. In general, gliders enjoy far more freedom in the USA than in
other countries.
We have a lot of freedom in where to fly.


I know that ultralights are restricted to unpopulated areas, and
there's a complicated set of flight zones for power aircraft, but I
haven't seen a list of restrictions for gliders.

Gliders have no more restrictions than airplanes. But for safety and
practical reasons. pilots will stay withing gliding range of a safe
landing spot.


3) Only during the day, correct? *

As a practical matter, yes. However, the restriction is really about
equipment. Night flight requires running lights and rotating beacons
which gliders usually don't have.


4) What does insurance cost for a student pilot? *What makes the cost
vary?

5) Will winter be a good time to learn, a bad time to learn, or does
it not matter? *Last winter was unusually cold, but the temperature
here is normally between the low 40's and the mid 60's during the day
in winter. *Are some things easier to learn in winter and others
easier in summer?

Start now and be ready to enjoy the great soaring in the spring.


6) Are glider pilot licenses valid in other countries, or only in the
US?

Depends on the country and the level of US license you hold. The US
doesn't require glider pilots to have a medical certificate - some
other countries do.

7) Why is the Electraflyer-X a light sports plane while an Antares is
a glider? *Is it just the intent of the manufacturer that decides
whether a plane with a motor is a powered glider or a powered plane?

It's just how the manufacturer decides to certify his aircraft.

Bill D