Marc Ramsey wrote:
wrote:
Hi all, I decided to take the plunge (no pun intended) and start
flying. I thought about going straight for a private glider license.
But, I do have the option of going for the powered pilot license first
- then the glider license second. Any thoughts? How many here have
both? Did you get your powered pilot license first?

I suggest getting the glider license first for these (not well
researched) reasons:

* getting a glider license first requires a more thorough training in
gliders, gliding, and soaring

* getting the power license first runs the risk of later getting the
"typical" add-on glider rating (doesn't have to be that way, but it's
common, I think)

* some of your glider time and training can be applied to your power
training, reducing the cost and time required to get it without (my
experience) significanly affecting the quality of the training


Glider license first, power license 20 years later, flew power for a
couple of years, decided it was expensive and boring, haven't flown
power since...

My experience was exactly the same as Marc's, about 25 years ago. Now
there are ways to combine the two with much less compromise than before.
For example, the Stemme is the BIG$ way to have a good airplane and a
good glider, the Carat can do the same for one person with less$ and
less (but still good) performance in both modes, and the Katana/Ximango
types may also be satisfactory if more airplane and less glider suits
your needs.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

"Transponders in Sailplanes" on the Soaring Safety Foundation website
www.soaringsafety.org/prevention/articles.html

"A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org