Originally Posted by
Ellie Vater
I am a fixed wing instructor, who is on the verge of packing it all in due to disillusionment on a large scale, which I won't go into on this post.
I have been reading the posts on gliding with much interest, as here is something I've been intending to try for ages but never got around to. (It may just possibly save my flying soul).
A few questions that I have follow, it would be great if people in the know could give an opinion:
1) As well as learning generally, I'm interested in what gliding could bring to my PFL teaching skills. With this in mind, would a motor glider be a better option
I suspect you would start in a pure glider and maybe convert to a motor glider later. If you take up gliding you will learn all the usual stuff in the usual order, not jump straight to PFL.
2) Should I 'leave' my flying experience to date behind, (& start from scratch with no pressure), or fess up my background to the instructor
You won't be able to hide it! However you do need to leave it behind to think like a glider pilot. No power to call on to get you out of trouble, and the performance of even a training glider is very different.
3). What sort of costs can I expect? On looking on gliding websites, trial lessons are almost as much as powered fixed wing ones are - is this the case for subsequent lessons
Don't look at the trial lesson prices, look at the costs for becoming a member. Some clubs offer very good value packages for new members.
4) Are there any recommended books to read on the subject of gliding
Derek Piggott's books are often recommended.
5). Finally, (& excuse my ignorance on this one), what do glider pilots do if they have messed up the landing back at the gliding field/site, as they can't go around..... Surely it does happen sometimes..!
We fly a very variable circuit which preserves height, as height is energy, which combined with very powerful airbrakes means a great deal can be done from an unfortunate position. For example on a windy day the base leg is much closer to the landing area then on a benign day. I say 'powerful airbrakes' - those on a Falke (common motorglider) are pretty poor compared to most gliders. A Grob 109 is a much better beast in that respect. Personally I find the long shallow approaches of a power plane quite scary.
Thanks for reading
Look at all the clubs it would be practical for you to fly at, visit them, see where you feel comfortable and where they fly when you can get to the club.