What powered skills translate best to glider?

On Monday, September 14, 2015 at 5:33:17 PM UTC+3, Joel wrote:
I'm just learning to fly and decided to start with gliders (aerotow launch). However, as I joined a club its slow to build time and get experience. I was wondering if I could accelerate that with powered flight...

1) What powered flight skills could I concentrate on that would best accelerate the learning curve in the glider?

Touch and goes, aka "circuits".

Circuit planning and the touchdown itself are probably what holds most people up in getting to solo. The flare and holdoff and touchdown are only five seconds or so, and you can only do it once per flight.

But do it at a quiet airfield where you can do an approach every three minutes, not every 10 - 15 minutes. And vary the approaches, don't just do "perfect" ones every time. (Power instructors may be reluctant to do that .. they tend to like to go by the numbers)


2) Would it be a better option to drive farther to get motoglider experience, or would the more nearby powered craft be just as good?

Motorglider would be better, but small Cessna/Piper approach speeds of approx 60 knots are close enough to glider speeds (at least glass gliders). The difference in checklists is annoying. The biggest difference is probably how high your eyes are at touchdown. But it's not too hard to switch.

Either way, if you go and do an hour of circuits at a quiet place then you'll probably have the landing nailed.