How fast does a sailplane fly?
Typical flight speeds are about 60 mph but can be as high as 160 mph and as low as 30 mph.
What keeps a glider up in the air?
"Lift", rising air. It is an exercise in relativity: a sailplane typically sinks 200 feet per minute (about 2 mph) through the air that surrounds it. If that air [...]
How long does it take to solo?
Most instructors feel that 30 to 35 flights are the minimum needed for most people with no previous flight experience. An experienced power (airplane) pilot can generally solo a sailplane [...]
How much does it cost to become a Private Pilot Glider?
The cost to become a Private Pilot-Glider varies greatly from person-to-person depending on the amount of time needed to master the necessary skills. In addition, each soaring club offers different [...]
What are the age requirements?
Student pilots may solo at a minimum age of 14 with a student certificate endorsed for solo flight at the discretion of an FAA-Certified Flight Instructor for Gliders (CFIG). After [...]
What is Soaring?
Most gliders typically do not have a propellor and are launched by an aerotow, that is they are pulled by a rope up to about 2,000' by another power-driven aircraft. [...]