FIRST SOLO

Discussion

Preflight for solo

Weight and balance

Weather briefing

Logbook and license endorsements

Flight Schedule

As desired based on weather conditions

(Note: Knauff asks for 2 pattern tows)

Additional Required Reading:
The Art of Thermalling, by Bob Wander
Aviation Weather, FAA Publication
The Soaring Flight Manual, SSA
[start this book prior to solo]
Glider Pilot Check Ride Made Easy, by Bob Wander
[for oral portion of flight test]
ASA Private Pilot Written Test Study Guide
[for written portion of flight test]
These texts are all available here.

Completion of C badge prior to check ride

Completion of Bronze Badge before or after check ride

REQUIRED FLIGHT TRAINING MANEUVERS

• Preflight inspections

• Principles of glider assembly/disassembly

• Preflight inspection of towline rigging

• Signals

• Powerplant operation (motorglider)

• Taxiing/surface operations & runups (motorglider)

• Aircraft systems

• Takeoffs

• Aerotows, ground tow, or self-launch

• Release procedures

• Normal landings

• Crosswind landings

• Slips to a landing

• Straight and level glides

• Shallow turns

• Medium turns

• Steep turns

• Climbs and climbing turns

• Airport traffic patterns including entry/departure

• Collision and wake turbulence avoidance

• Descents with/without turns using high/low drag configurations

• Flight at various airspeeds from cruising to minimum controllable airspeed

• Imminent forward stalls

• Imminent turning stalls

• Full forward stalls

• Full turning stalls

• Emergency procedures and equipment malfunctions

• Ground reference maneuvers

• Thermalling, ridge and wave lift

• Emergency operations

• Landings without use of altimeter from at least 2,000 feet AGL

REQUIRED GROUND TRAINING

• Knowledge of appropriate portions of FAR Parts 1, 43, 61, 91, and NTSB 830

• Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage and dead reckoning with aid of magnetic compass

• Glider navigation including use of aeronautical charts and magnetic compass.

• Aircraft cross-country performance

• Procurement and analysis of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts including recognition of critical weather situations and estimating visibility in flight

• Cross country emergency conditions including lost procedures, adverse weather conditions, and simulated off-airport approaches and landings

• Traffic pattern procedures including normal area arrival and departure, collision and wake turbulence avoidance

• Recognition of operational problems associated with terrain features in geographical area in which cross country flight will be flown

• Proper operation of instruments and equipment installed in aircraft to be flown

• Use of radios for two-way communication

• Accident reporting requirements of NTSB and FAR

• Recognition of weather conditions favorable for cross country soaring

• Safe and efficient operation of gliders including ground and aerotow procedures, signals, and safety precautions

• Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques