Training

The following are resources for students of all experience levels, from the beginning glider student to CFIG applicant.  This page also contains resources for tow pilots and flight instructors.

 

All Pilots

Standard Operating Procedures

Manuals

2024 Glider Flying Handbook (FAA)

Thermalling Techniques by Dick Johnson

Airspace on a sectional (AOPA)

Airspace for Everyone

Airspace for Dummies

Aviation Weather for Pilots (FAA)

Aeronautical Decision Making (FAA) An older Advisory Circular

Aeronautical Decision Making (FAA) Chapter 2 of the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge

Common Pilot Errors, by Ken Sorenson

Jim Burch's Study Guide  This webpage is an amazingly good resource for beginning glider students.  Includes quizzes.

The Soaring Page, Bill Palmer’s website with tons of training material and videos

 

Checklists

L-23 Blanik Preflight and Pretakeoff checklist

 

The Beginning Student

Beginning Student to Licensed Glider Pilot "Roadmap" in Microsoft Word with links

Beginning Student to Licensed Glider Pilot “Roadmap” in pdf format

Taking an Active Role in Your Flight Training

Welcome to GHSA - Ground Crew Training

Wing Runner Online Course

Wing Runner GHSA Video

American Soaring Signals

Instruments and Flight Controls

TLAR Landing Procedure

Post Flight Review

Solo checklist (before going solo you must do this)








Ground Instruction

2025 Ground School Schedule

Flight Instruments (2018/12, Prigge)

Skew-T Plots for Soaring Pilots (2019/01, Hahn)

Glider Math by Two’s and Three’s (Intro to Cross Country) (2019/05, Hahn/Prigge/Brickner)

Soaring Weather Links (2019/06, Hahn)








The Post-solo Student

Private Pilot's flight exam checklist (before taking the practical exam you must do this)

Flight Examiner Expectations - One perspective

Private Pilot Practical Test Standards for Glider 

GHSA Guidelines/Prerequisites for Flying Association Gliders

 

The Post-Private Student aka "Crossing the Country with Ease"

From Private License to Cross Country pilot “Roadmap”

Cross-Country Flying Instructional Material

GHSA Guidelines/Prerequisites for Flying Association Gliders

 

The Commercial Pilot

Commercial Pilot's Flight Exam Checklist (before taking the practical exam you must do this)

Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards for Glider

 

The Flight Instructor

Flight instructor checklist (before taking the practical exam you must do this)

Flight Instructor Practical Test Standards for Glider

Introduction to Fundamentals of Instruction (Courtesy of Jamie Shore, SCOH. Material from Soaring Magazine)

Aeronautical Decision Making for CFI's

TSA Flight Training Requirements for Flight Schools and Independent CFI's

SSA Cross Country Instructor Program (CCIP)

 

GHSA Flight Instructor's Material

Training Syllabus - January 2014 revision

Student Progress Table

Student Progress Card

Certified Flight Instructor Glider Study and Reference Materials

Guidance and Ideas for Giving Flight Reviews

Crosswind Landings

Radio Procedures

General Knowledge Test

GHSA Guidelines/Prerequisites for Flying Association Gliders

SSA Cross Country Handbook

To-do: Introduction to Pilot Judgement

Aeronautical Decision Making

Endorsement Examples

Soaring Safety Foundation

The FARs (Complete and online)

IACRA

 

Tow Pilots

Experience Requirements to Tow Gliders

Tow Pilot Online Training Course

Wing Runner Online Course

Tow Pilot Manual

Cessna AgWagon Manual

Changing the oil on an AgWagon

 

The Transition Pilot

This article from the FAA explains soaring and the benefits of glider experience and training to all pilots:
Gliding Your Way to Greater Pilot Proficiency

Challenges of Powerless Flight (AOPA)

Transition Pilot Syllabus (12/13/24)

 

Quizzes and Tests

L-23 pre-solo test

1-26 pre-solo test

Grob 102 pre-solo test

Ka6 pre-solo test

Genesis 2 pre-solo test