What's it take to get glider certified?

[Discseven]

Am thinking to get glider certified. Wondering what it takes and about glider ownership. If you're an experienced glider pilot and would like to share your insight, I'd enjoy speaking with you. Please PM me

[pavulon]

PM?? How are the rest of us supposed to learn?

[Don Plumley]

Do you mean this?: https://www.ssa.org/GliderPilotRatings

[Mark Henry]

PM 914Dan over on 914world. He's fixed up a couple of gliders.

[Seahawk]

I have never owned a glider (or sailplane) or earned a glider rating but I have flown a bunch with friends of mine that are owners and experts.

If you are already a pilot he transition will be very easy since you know the rules of the road, know how to talk on the radio, etc.

If you are not a private pilot, I would recommend getting your license in advance of seeking a glider rating. YMMV but I found it very helpful to have already been a pilot when I started flying gliders with friends.

I have no insight into currency requirements, ownership costs, tow prices, etc. but if I lived near terrain that supports glider operations, I'd take a serious look myself.

That said, flying gliders is a hoot, especially if you have proximity to mountains: One of the guys in my first squadron had a sailplane at a small airport outside Chula Vista, California near Lower Otay Lake. Flying out of there was spectacular.

[petrolhead611]

In the UK anyway, it is much cheaper to get a glider licence than a Provate Pilots Licence. I started on gliders but got impatient with all the hanging around between flights so went for the PPL instead.

[Discseven]

Thanks for input guys. Am digging deeper into this seduction!

[James Brown]

here is the FAA test requirements for glider pilot
https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/test_standards/media/faa-s-8081-22.pdf

[targa911S]

last I knew it was like 22 hours