SCHOOL & TRAINING: FAQ

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Top Ten Questions:

What is involved in learning to solo?
What is a private glider license?
When can I fly?
Is soaring safe?
What if I have experience in power planes?
What happens after I have my license?
What are the costs once I get my license?

What is involved in learning to solo?
To solo means to fly by yourself. You must be at least 14 years old and pass a brief written test to solo a glider. We can begin training at the age of 12. A physical exam is not required, but you must have no medical problem that would prevent safe operation of the glider. Before you solo, your instructor must certify that you have learned everything necessary for safe flight and landing.

What is a private glider license?
A Private Glider license, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), allows you to carry passengers and act as pilot in command without being under the close supervision of an instructor. You must be at least 16 years old, pass a comprehensive written test and take and oral and flight test with a certified FAA examiner.

When can I fly?
We are open five days a week, year round, with our hours varying slightly depending on the season. We schedule lessons in two hour sessions. Lessons are scheduled at your convenience and are conducted one-on-one with your instructor at your own pace.

Is soaring safe?
Soaring can boast being one of the safest forms of aviation. We are proud of this safety record but also know that safety doesn't "just happen" and that it must be practiced with every flight and be carefully taught to each new pilot. The best answer is that soaring is as safe as you make it. We work hard to make it as safe as it can be. Statistically, the drive to the airport contains considerably more risk than your flight.

What if I have experience in power planes?
Though there are important differences between glider and power flying, there are considerable similarities as well. If you already have a power license, obtaining a glider rating will be easy. You do not need to take another written test and you can be recommended for your license after 10 solo flights. It's worth noting that obtainining a glider rating is an acceptable substitue for a Biennial Flight Review (BFR) and that most pilots believe that glider flying improves their power flying. If you have power experience but not a license, your course of instruction will be the same as a novice with your progress being helped by your experience.

What happens after I have my license?
After you have earned your license , the sky 's the limit! You'll certainly want to introduce some of your friends to this fascinating and beautiful sport by giving them rides. Maybe you'd like to try for your Silver, Gold or Diamond badges awarded by the Soaring Society of America (SSA) for duration, distance and altitude achievements. There are also local, regional, national and international racing competitions in which you can participate.

What are the costs once I get my license?
Once you are past the initial expense of earning your glider license, the cost of continuing the sport of soaring is very affordable. There are many pilots who enjoy soaring every weekend for less than $75. Most of these pilots join the Bay Area Soaring Associates (BASA) club and either buy or become part owner in a sailplane. Your aerotow will usually run about $35 and can give you an entire day of flying in good soaring conditions. If you have purchased a self launching sailplane, a couple of gallons of gas is all that you will need to buy!

The BASA club, based at Hollister Airport, owns several high performance sailplanes including two seaters as well as single seaters. Some of the sailplanes are kept at Hollister while others are moved around to different locations in the Sierras depending on seasonal soaring conditions. The club's monthly dues are only $100 which includes use of all club aircraft with no hourly fee. The club does require an initial, partially refundable, deposit of $250.

For those who want to purchase their own sailplane, performance and age of the sailplane will determine the cost. Sailplanes in the low to medium performance category (glide ratio of 16:1 to 30:1) usually range in price from $5,000 to $15,000. High performance sailplanes usually range in price from $15,000 to $50,000. For those demanding the very best performance, sailplanes with wing spans over 80 feet and glide ratios approaching 60:1 can cost over $150,000.

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