Start flying with glider self launch certificate?

On Saturday, January 4, 2020 at 11:20:04 AM UTC-6, Tim Taylor wrote:
On Saturday, January 4, 2020 at 9:36:57 AM UTC-7, James Stauffer wrote:
Is it harder to get a first pilot certificate for glider - self launch vs. normal powered aircraft near St. Paul, MN? It seems like a self launch glider certificate would be a great way to start because of better stick and rudder skills, lower age requirements (for my son), cheaper operating costs, glider hours apply toward power aircraft requirements, etc but I'm concerned that it might be a bad path because it appears to be rare and hard to find instruction near St. Paul, MN.

I would suggest getting a glider rating rather than worrying about self-launch. There are good groups at Faribault, MN, Osceola, WI, and Stanton, MN.. Once he has gotten the glider rating it is easy to add a power rating later.

My son took 3 lessons from RWSA in Osceola, WI. We were gone 8 hours for 1 hour of flight -- that isn't something I can keep doing because of other responsibilities. I might have to wait until he can drive himself to the airport then. :-/

James - Red Wing and MN Soaring Club (out of Stanton) are both club operations. Cross Country Soaring at Faribault is a commercial operation.

Both have there strengths and weaknesses. If time is critical and you want to show up, have your son fly an hour, then head home, a commercial operation is the way to go.

Full disclosure - I am a very happy member of MSC.

Lou