SP-Glider with solo endorsement for non-LSA gliders
Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 11:52 am
In the glider community it isn't uncommon to get a PP-Airplane(often lapsed) returning to aviation and while I haven't done this yet the easiest thing to get them on their way would be SP-Glider. Just need two CFIs. Instruction in most glider clubs is free, no cost easy add on rating. Many gliders do not qualify as LSA due to high VNE. Question; is there any reason we couldn't create a SP-Glider pilot in a LSA legal 2 seater then give them a standard solo endorsement for single seat(or two seaters, obviously no passenger flying with those obviously) gliders that are not LSA?
No medical is required, there are no passenger seats to fill. Not sure if the 10,000' limit would apply to a PP-Airplane pilot with SP-Glider that isn't a factor in most of the country. Ideally we want these guys to get higher ratings, however starting at the SP level is essentially free. I usually advocate for all the PP-Airplane to glider candidates to take the Commercial Glider written and jump straight to Commercial Glider. Not so they can immediately start doing rides but so years in the future there is one less barrier to becoming a CFI-G. A lot of pilots are intimidated by getting the Commercial first(PTS is almost the same.) A stop at SP, then jumping to Commercial makes sense to me and if they can fly non-LSA gliders as SP-Glider pilots with a standard solo endorsement practically they have no lesser privileges then passing a PP-Glider checkride.
No medical is required, there are no passenger seats to fill. Not sure if the 10,000' limit would apply to a PP-Airplane pilot with SP-Glider that isn't a factor in most of the country. Ideally we want these guys to get higher ratings, however starting at the SP level is essentially free. I usually advocate for all the PP-Airplane to glider candidates to take the Commercial Glider written and jump straight to Commercial Glider. Not so they can immediately start doing rides but so years in the future there is one less barrier to becoming a CFI-G. A lot of pilots are intimidated by getting the Commercial first(PTS is almost the same.) A stop at SP, then jumping to Commercial makes sense to me and if they can fly non-LSA gliders as SP-Glider pilots with a standard solo endorsement practically they have no lesser privileges then passing a PP-Glider checkride.