September 2, 2010

Soar Minden
Glider Flight Lessons

Soar Minden welcomes soaring pilots from all over who want to experience the world's best soaring in wave and thermal conditions.  We offer primary and advanced training in Grob 103 two-place trainers and rent high-performance single-place sailplanes to pilots who qualify in them.

In order to fly solo in Soar Minden gliders you must satisfy several requirements: possess a valid and current certificate (pilot's license) issued by the FAA, be current, have a site and equipment check for Soar Minden gliders, and have insurance coverage.  Note that the two insurance carriers we recommend for non-owner's coverage will not write a policy for anyone who has had an accident within the past three years. 

The site and equipment check for current and certificated pilots generally requires about two hours' ground school and two to four flights with an instructor.  Additional, specialized briefings are available for wave flight, cross-country flight, and use of our oxygen equipment.

Power pilots who want to obtain an additional FAA rating for gliders can usually do so in a week or less.  People with no flight experience will require a little more time and must pass an FAA written exam (60 questions) before they can take their flight test.  We recommend studying for the written exam before beginning the flight training. "The Glider Flying Handbook" is a recommended text for preparing for the written exam.

For international pilots, several alternatives exist if you are currently licensed by another aviation authority:

  1. Obtain an FAA student certificate. Anyone who qualifies for a student certificate - even if you hold a pilot certificate issued by another aviation authority -- may have one issued in a few minutes by the Designated Examiner resident in Carson City. Main qualifications are you must be 14 years of age or older, speak, read, write and understand English. Main drawback is that you may not carry passengers, however if you intend solo flight only this might be a satisfactory solution.
  2. Obtain an FAA certificate through the examination process. Again, even if you currently hold a pilot certificate issued by another aviation authority, you may have an FAA certificate issued by passing the written and flight examinations. For some pilots, especially pilots whose home-country certificate requires a medical, this might be an attractive option as the FAA glider certificate will not require a current medical. This may take 2-3 days to complete, but could well fit into your long-range plans nicely and should be considered.
  3. Obtain an FAA certificate based on your current glider certificate. If your civil aviation authority will vouch for the authenticity of your current glider certificate the FAA will issue a reciprocal certificate based on the certificate you hold. If your certificate has an expiry date, though, or requires a medical, be advised your FAA certificate will too. This process usually requires 3-4 months advance preparation, and will require you to submit two forms, Verification of Authenticity of Foreign License & Foreign Pilots Certification, to the FAA (see attached). You should tell the FAA on your application that you will pick up the certificate at the Reno Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).