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Learning to Fly and Obtaining a Glider Pilot Licence |
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At Dartmoor Gliding we would be delighted to welcome you to train to be glider pilot with us. You will, no doubt, have lots of questions. Don Puttock, our Chief Flying instructor has supplied answers to some of these questions listed below. Please click the questions to see his answers. Afterwards why not explore the “Visitors” section of this website for more information. You are, of course, welcome to browse the rest of the site. Please Contact Us for more information.
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Gliding is different things to different people. Some use it as an introduction into aviation and subsequently take up flying as a career. Others are fascinated by our interaction with nature and how we can stay airborne for hours. Again others enjoy the social side of belonging to a club and becoming a member of a team, and yet again others enjoy competing with fellow pilots. Whatever attracts you, you will discover you are embarking on a lifetime of learning and fun. You will learn to make decisions in the air, become curious about the sky and the many ways it appears to us, learn how to stay safe and yet explore the air in a way very few people even dream of. Your life will change for ever. |
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As a general rule, gliding is fairly unrestrictive in who can fly. If you aren’t sure, then the best thing to do is to come and ask. The instructors will be able to advise you. Below are some guidelines. Age The only age limit today is that you must be 16 to go solo. This minimum age limit may be reduced to 14 when the new EASA regulations come into place in 2012. If you are below that minimum age you may still train with an instructor, many trainees go solo on their 16th birthday. There is no upper age limit; however you must be able to meet the medical requirements. Many pilots learn to fly after they have retired! As a general rule there isn’t much point trying to learn too soon before being able to go solo. Youngsters often get frustrated when they can’t progress further. With younger children, there is also a size problem-it is essential that the straps fit securely, and its also very helpful if you are big enough to reach the rudder pedals. Size Being small is often not an issue, as you can be fitted in with the use of special cushions, although if you are less than 5 foot, you may find reaching some of the controls difficult. If you are over 6 foot 4 inches, then you may only be able to fit into certain gliders. Again come and get some advice if you are unsure. Fitness As a rule of thumb, if you are fit enough to drive a car, you are fit enough to fly a glider. Before you fly you will need to sign a medical declaration and, before you fly solo, you will need to get your GP to certify that you meet the same standards you must meet to drive a car. The medical forms may be obtained from the British Gliding Association website Gliding is also suitable for people with a range of disabilities---for more information go to the British Gliding Association Website Skill Again, as with fitness if you can drive a car, you can easily fly a glider. The skill level is similar, and some would even say its easier! Try it out Before committing yourself you should take a trial lesson to see what it is like. Ask at the club and this will be arranged for you. If possible take a series of 2 or 3 flights. You will then understand much better what is involved, you will also meet fellow club members and join in with the team. Learning to fly involves learning how to operate the various parts of the airfield as well as physically handling the aircraft in the air. Take advantage of schemes like the fixed price to solo package and so on, if you in full time education, there are often concessions and sometimes grants are available. Ask for information from the club instructor. |
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In the winter, it is important to keep warm and dry, and in the summer to keep cool and hydrated. Airfields are flat open spaces, so it often feels colder and windier than elsewhere. Although you don’t need any special clothing (but no skirts please), it is advisable to make sure you have an extra jumper with you, when flying your hat should not have a large peak because it restricts your upward vision. Sunglasses, drinking water, sun screen are particularly important personal kit during the summer months. You will normally find it warmer in the cockpit because the Perspex canopy behaves a little like a greenhouse; indeed overheating and de-hydration are important concerns for a glider pilot. When you first arrive on the airfield, you will need to complete the relevant paperwork. This involves a temporary membership form and a simple medical declaration. After doing this you will meet your instructor. |
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Before flying, the instructor will give you a briefing on what the controls do, what the instruments do, and what to expect during the flight. Sometimes this will be done in the clubhouse, and sometimes when you are sitting in the glider. You may not take it all in right away, but things will become clearer once in the air. If you are unsure of anything, either on the ground or in the air, be sure to ask questions – the instructor is there to help. Even on the first flight you are part of the flight crew, the instructor will ask you to keep a good lookout and point out other aircraft as you spot them. In flight the instructor will demonstrate how we use the controls, and when you are comfortable he will invite you to try for yourself. Potentially, if the instructor finds some lift he will soar for a short time so you can experience soaring flight. The instructor will takeover in good time and do the landing for you. Once you have completed the first flights the instructor will be able to advise you, if you wish, on how to go about getting your licence. |
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Skills training First you will learn how to fly the aircraft, the instructor will guide you as you gain proficiency. You will gain confidence in the glider and its capabilities. Judgement training You will then learn how to assess your progress through the air. You will learn how to judge accurate approaches for accurate landings, and how to judge a good, safe circuit to land. Dealing with eventualities Using the principles of Threat and Error Management, you will learn to anticipate difficult or awkward situations and deal with them in a safe and routine manner. Theory training To fly safely, you will be taught the fundamentals of air law, local airspace and good airmanship. This is generally taught on the ground, in the clubhouse over coffee and cakes. Although learning to glide primarily involves getting airborne, there is inevitably some ground based theoretical knowledge involved. Although it is certainly not mandatory, the BGA has identified that many pilots find that the book “From passenger to pilot” by Steve Longland, the author of the BGA instructors manual, provides a suitable level of information that satisfies most newcomers to the sport and provides a step onto a development pathway beyond solo. The Dartmoor gliding Society web site contains training materials as does the web site run by Tim Allen “solo2silver” Many people will choose a certain day to turn up on to ensure they fly regularly and preferably with the same instructor (although this is not essential) Others just turn up and put their name on the flying list.Do make a point of turning up on non flyable days, this is when the ground school often happens. Courses Courses are a truly fantastic way to learn gliding. The more intense the more effective they are. Keep your eyes open and join in with a course if you can. First Solo What a momentous occasion, when both you and your instructor are satisfied, you will fly your first solo flights. A day never to be forgotten, a day you become one of the lucky few who can claim they did it. The main aims of going solo are to make sure you are safe to fly alone, and also to make sure you have completed certain exercises to a good standard so that you are able to cope with any potential problems. To achieve this you will follow a training syllabus. The minimum for going solo is 20 flights (BGA requirement), although this is rarely achieved. A more realistic aim is 40-100 flights, and it will depend on many factors including how good you are, how fast you learn, and how regularly you fly. Other things that help are just being around the airfield, watching other people, listening to the numerous lectures and chatting with instructors- remember instructors are there to help. |
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After solo you are able to claim the FAI A badge, and become registered with the British Gliding Association as a Solo glider pilot. The claim form can be found on the BGA Website It is sensible to carry the Bronze C claim form and the Cross country endorsement claim form with your logbook. The tasks set within the forms will not be achieved in one single day, and you will find yourself regularly referring to them and getting sections signed off by the examining instructors. There are essentially two parts to the badge system. The “A”, “B” and bronze badges (and also the Cross-Country Endorsement and UK 100Km Diploma) are UK recognised qualifications, whereas the Silver, Gold and Diamond badges are internationally recognised qualifications. The table below outlines the requirements and privileges of each of the badges. After diamond there is a UK750Km diploma and the FAI issues diplomas for flights of 1000Km or more in increments of 250 Km.
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