Learning to Fly

In this podcast I share the three most exciting events that follow the first-time experience in a sailplane--my first solo, a solo flight that includes sharing a thermal with some vultures, and the successful checkride that makes me a Private Pilot-Glider. The picture above includes the DPE (the FAA Designated Pilot Examiner) Frank, his wife Jayne who is the tow-pilot and a record holding glider pilot, and Joe, my instructor. Have a listen...

In this segment we continue the learning process, not only with needed maneuvers to handle the glider, but with emergency procedures that include a simulated rope break at 400 ft when in aero tow, and at 600 feet during a winch launch--this get your adrenaline going, no question. The segment ends with the worst of experiences--a hard landing in the glider that leads to a bounce, a pilot-induced oscillation (PIO) and the aftermath. NOT the way to learn...

I got hooked on sailplanes when I took a few flights with my friend Ray, had a couple of demo flights with Doug and Philip at the Carolina Soaring Association, and decided this I wanted to learn! I was lucky to meet Joe, my instructor, and he took me through the paces of learning from the ground up (no pun intended). He guided me through the techniques, the development of judgement, and slowly let me build confidence without ever letting me get ahead of myself, instead, he taught me to stay ahead of the glider! A follow-up podcast will take us through the checkride. Have a listen...