Simple question how long does it usually take for a powered aircraft pilot to get a glider add-on? I assume spring and summer are the best time to do it?
Wow the rates for glider clubs are pretty steep. More than I expected...
...and no additional written test is required..(2) If the applicant has logged at least 40 hours of flight time in a heavier-than-air aircraft, the applicant must log at least 3 hours of flight time in a glider in the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(6) of this part, and that flight time must include at least--
(i) 10 solo flights in a glider in the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(6) of this part; and
(ii) 3 training flights with an authorized instructor in a glider in preparation for the practical test that must have been performed within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test.
Simple question how long does it usually take for a powered aircraft pilot to get a glider add-on?
Wow the rates for glider clubs are pretty steep. More than I expected...
If you're looking for something less expensive, do consider hang gliding. You should be able to get to the H2 level for less than $1500, and a new glider can be had for less than $5000. Lots of fun as well.
It's not just skimming down a hill these days, hour plus flights are the norm, and world record flight is now 470 miles. There's a nice article here:http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/01/11/sports/a-record-ride-on-the-texas-wind.html?_r=0
the club near me charges 900 to join, 20-25 dollars a flight, and $12 + 8.50/1k feet for a tow. Too much up front cost for me and I can't fly on weekends so it wouldn't be worth it anyway.
the business I was flying at was $35 an hour for a pretty crappy 2-33a, $15+$16/1k feet for the tow. They required renters insurance for the hull value of the glider (no problem on a $10k 2-33)
last flight I did was 3 tows to I want to say 3k AGL and one simulaed rope break and with the instructor and everything it was like $350 for what amounts to like an hour tops of flying? That's 2 hours in the SR20. They have a grob twin III but it's $50 an hour and they wouldn't let me take it up dual, too advanced they said. They have two 2-32s but they didn't seem keen on letting me fly those either, also at $50 an hour. I wanted desperately to take instruction in something that had a little chance of finding some lift and doing more than releasing the rope, making 3 or 4 turns, and entering the pattern and landing.
I felt like I was working on my PPL and forever tethered to the pattern. I really truly wanted to love it but I just couldn't.
the club near me charges 900 to join, 20-25 dollars a flight, and $12 + 8.50/1k feet for a tow. Too much up front cost for me and I can't fly on weekends so it wouldn't be worth it anyway.
the business I was flying at was $35 an hour for a pretty crappy 2-33a, $15+$16/1k feet for the tow. They required renters insurance for the hull value of the glider (no problem on a $10k 2-33)
last flight I did was 3 tows to I want to say 3k AGL and one simulaed rope break and with the instructor and everything it was like $350 for what amounts to like an hour tops of flying? That's 2 hours in the SR20. They have a grob twin III but it's $50 an hour and they wouldn't let me take it up dual, too advanced they said. They have two 2-32s but they didn't seem keen on letting me fly those either, also at $50 an hour. I wanted desperately to take instruction in something that had a little chance of finding some lift and doing more than releasing the rope, making 3 or 4 turns, and entering the pattern and landing.
I felt like I was working on my PPL and forever tethered to the pattern. I really truly wanted to love it but I just couldn't.
I did, they use the 2-32 for scenic rides so they didn't want to give them up to me for training for a few hours was the impression I got. I thought the 2-33 flew a bit like a brick with wings, but what do I know. Other than the large control inputs needed compared to what I'm used to and trying to fit a 6'3 225lb guy in the airplane I didn't see anything terribly challenging, just fly it on the runway and hold the nose off until you really want to stop
I liked the 2-33A a whole lot more after I kicked some $100K glass ship's butt in a tight thermal one day and passed him on the way up. Heh. Either he couldn't hold the turn, due to a higher stall speed, or he just sucked. I don't know. I just had a huge grin in my face the rest of the day knowing I whooped his butt in climb rate by a large margin in the old fabric beast. It was fun to bail out of the thermal a couple thousand feet above him watching him still struggling to come on up. Heh. Totally smoked him.
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Unfortunately he smoked you going from point A to point B. Our club president owns a PW-5 that out thermals just about everything we have but the Discus and ASWs go 100s of km's in the course of an afternoon while the PW-5 goes up and down and rarely very far from home on windy days.
I did, they use the 2-32 for scenic rides so they didn't want to give them up to me for training for a few hours was the impression I got. I thought the 2-33 flew a bit like a brick with wings, but what do I know. Other than the large control inputs needed compared to what I'm used to and trying to fit a 6'3 225lb guy in the airplane I didn't see anything terribly challenging, just fly it on the runway and hold the nose off until you really want to stop
I had intended to add it onto my CFI but decided against that pretty early.