Going back into flying the glider way

I have a couple thousand hours flying GA single engine. I have owned two aircraft in the past. (Piper Warrior & Saratoga)
Haven't flown for almost 10-years.
Decided to go back into flying but only gliders.
Will join local club to get my license upgraded to include a glider rating.
Then will be the agonizing over what glider to buy ...
nice problem to have huh?

Welcome to the soaring world! Where will you be flying? When it comes time to start thinking about getting your own ship, wyu'll find no shortage of opinions here on RAS.

Heads-up on getting the glider add-on to your dormant aircraft rating. As I understand it, you will run into some issues if you don't have a current flight review when you take your flight exam. It's a reverse loophole (adds restrictions, rather than adds relief), if you ask me, and is an unnecessary burden for someone who doesn't want to continue flying powered aircraft.

Perhaps one of our DPEs on RAS has the latest ruling and can clarify what to do. I've read all kinds of workarounds, but don't know the details on which is currently acceptable.

Paul A.
Jupiter, FL

On Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 12:39:38 PM UTC-4, ripacheco1967 wrote:
I have a couple thousand hours flying GA single engine. I have owned two aircraft in the past. (Piper Warrior & Saratoga)
Haven't flown for almost 10-years.
Decided to go back into flying but only gliders.
Will join local club to get my license upgraded to include a glider rating.
Then will be the agonizing over what glider to buy ...
nice problem to have huh?

Welcome to the soaring world! Where will you be flying? When it comes time to start thinking about getting your own ship, you'll find no shortage of opinions here on RAS.

Heads-up on getting the glider add-on to your dormant aircraft rating. As I understand it, you will run into some issues if you don't have a current flight review when you take your flight exam. It's a reverse loophole (adds restrictions, rather than adds relief), if you ask me, and is an unnecessary burden for someone who doesn't want to continue flying powered aircraft.

Perhaps one of our DPEs on RAS has the latest ruling and can clarify what to do. I've read all kinds of workarounds, but don't know the details on which is currently acceptable.

Paul A.
Jupiter, FL

On Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 1:10:33 PM UTC-5, Paul Agnew wrote:
On Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 12:39:38 PM UTC-4, ripacheco1967 wrote:
I have a couple thousand hours flying GA single engine. I have owned two aircraft in the past. (Piper Warrior & Saratoga)
Haven't flown for almost 10-years.
Decided to go back into flying but only gliders.
Will join local club to get my license upgraded to include a glider rating.
Then will be the agonizing over what glider to buy ...
nice problem to have huh?

Welcome to the soaring world! Where will you be flying? When it comes time to start thinking about getting your own ship, you'll find no shortage of opinions here on RAS.

Heads-up on getting the glider add-on to your dormant aircraft rating. As I understand it, you will run into some issues if you don't have a current flight review when you take your flight exam. It's a reverse loophole (adds restrictions, rather than adds relief), if you ask me, and is an unnecessary burden for someone who doesn't want to continue flying powered aircraft.

Perhaps one of our DPEs on RAS has the latest ruling and can clarify what to do. I've read all kinds of workarounds, but don't know the details on which is currently acceptable.

Paul A.
Jupiter, FL

I am debating about which club to join. There are three clubs within reasonable driving distance (weekend outings)

In my area the choices a

Pensacola:
Coastal Soaring Association
(1) Grob G-102, (1) Grob G-103, (1) Schweizer SGS 2-33

Jacksonville: North Florida Soaring Society
Aircraft: (1) LET L-23 Super Blanik-16.2, (1) Pilatus B-4, (1) Schweizer SGS 1-26, (1) Schweizer SGS 2-33, (1) Towplane Pawnee PA-235

Valdosta, GA: Rose City Soaring Association LLC
(2) Schweizer SGS 2-33A, (1) Schweizer SGS 1-26E, (1) Schleicher ASK-13, (1) Grob G-103 Twin Acro, (1) Schleicher Ka-8

On Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 1:10:33 PM UTC-5, Paul Agnew wrote:
On Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 12:39:38 PM UTC-4, ripacheco1967 wrote:
I have a couple thousand hours flying GA single engine. I have owned two aircraft in the past. (Piper Warrior & Saratoga)
Haven't flown for almost 10-years.
Decided to go back into flying but only gliders.
Will join local club to get my license upgraded to include a glider rating.
Then will be the agonizing over what glider to buy ...
nice problem to have huh?

Welcome to the soaring world! Where will you be flying? When it comes time to start thinking about getting your own ship, you'll find no shortage of opinions here on RAS.

Heads-up on getting the glider add-on to your dormant aircraft rating. As I understand it, you will run into some issues if you don't have a current flight review when you take your flight exam. It's a reverse loophole (adds restrictions, rather than adds relief), if you ask me, and is an unnecessary burden for someone who doesn't want to continue flying powered aircraft.

Perhaps one of our DPEs on RAS has the latest ruling and can clarify what to do. I've read all kinds of workarounds, but don't know the details on which is currently acceptable.

Paul A.
Jupiter, FL

You are right... Its gonna be silly to have to rend a cessna 172 from time to time to do a flight review ... gonna have to figure this out well.

Some ideas for your consideration:

1)Take some time off and do concentrated training at Seminole Lake https://www.soarfl.com/ 3-5 days a week or at another commercial glider flight school until you get the glider rating. You will progress much faster than you will at a weekend only club. Cash flow may be higher, but total cost to get the rating may be less.

2)Once you get the rating, join a club and take the time needed to learn how to soar in club ships with an instructor. This is the hard part and your previous experience in power planes is largely irrelevant. Be realistic in your expectations about how long it will take to learn how to soar.

3)Wait until you're basically competent at soaring before you buy a glider.

4)Start training immediately. April is a prime soaring month in FL. Summer is not so prime.

On Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 1:10:33 PM UTC-5, Paul Agnew wrote:

Heads-up on getting the glider add-on to your dormant aircraft rating. As I understand it, you will run into some issues if you don't have a current flight review when you take your flight exam. It's a reverse loophole (adds restrictions, rather than adds relief), if you ask me, and is an unnecessary burden for someone who doesn't want to continue flying powered aircraft.

....
Paul A.
Jupiter, FL

I did the add-on rating two years ago, and was 20 years out of currency. In order to satisfy the biannual review I did the Wings program. Once you complete one level that satisfies your biannual review and the glider check ride was no problem.

Rich L.

On Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 11:05:30 AM UTC-4, wrote:
On Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 1:10:33 PM UTC-5, Paul Agnew wrote:

Heads-up on getting the glider add-on to your dormant aircraft rating. As I understand it, you will run into some issues if you don't have a current flight review when you take your flight exam. It's a reverse loophole (adds restrictions, rather than adds relief), if you ask me, and is an unnecessary burden for someone who doesn't want to continue flying powered aircraft.

...
Paul A.
Jupiter, FL

I did the add-on rating two years ago, and was 20 years out of currency. In order to satisfy the biannual review I did the Wings program. Once you complete one level that satisfies your biannual review and the glider check ride was no problem.

Rich L.

As I always tell my kids...every problem has a solution.

PA

On Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 10:05:30 AM UTC-5, wrote:
On Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 1:10:33 PM UTC-5, Paul Agnew wrote:

Heads-up on getting the glider add-on to your dormant aircraft rating. As I understand it, you will run into some issues if you don't have a current flight review when you take your flight exam. It's a reverse loophole (adds restrictions, rather than adds relief), if you ask me, and is an unnecessary burden for someone who doesn't want to continue flying powered aircraft.

...
Paul A.
Jupiter, FL

I did the add-on rating two years ago, and was 20 years out of currency. In order to satisfy the biannual review I did the Wings program. Once you complete one level that satisfies your biannual review and the glider check ride was no problem.

Rich L.

The Wings Program? I will have to research on that. I do not recall that program from my days flying the Saratoga. Live and learn!

FAA Advisory Circular for Wings Program

https://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/...c%2061-91j.pdf

PA