Pilots: Would it be advisable to get a license to fly gliders if you have no powered flight experience ?

Question

I just took my first ride in a glider and fell in love. I am seriously considering taking lessons and getting my license. The flight instructors told me that while powered flight experience would of course help me, the lack of it wouln't hurt me. What do you guys think ?

Answer 1

I've never flown and probably never will but if that's what the flight instructors say, by all means take up gliding. Thinking about it, could the same thing apply visa versa - gliding experience being an advantage if you take up powered flight?

Answer 2

Here is the thing to think about. Can you handle the "belly" trouble you will have in a glider. I have done the glider thing since it was fairly cheap, after failing to get my single engine VFR due to lack of money. I think had I gone to a glider in the first place, I would have never thought about flying. I was fairly complacent in the 150 since it did pretty well what I wanted it to do. The glider flights were a bit different. You are at the mercy of the thermal gradients and the winds. I came so close to tossing my cookies in the glider that I just gave it up. There is one good point to think about that my instructor mentioned. He told me I did not over correct. And a glider is fairly forgiving as far as planes go. Maybe I should have started with the glider! (My stomach would have loved me!)

Answer 3

I work as an assistant manager to one of the nation's (U.S.) oldest gliderports (although we do power instruction in C-150's as well) and honestly it doesnt really matter if you have flight experience in a power plane or not to work on your glider license. To be honest most people who obtain their glider's licenses do not have any power experience and we have a considerable amount of adolescents who are currently soloing at the age of 16 or younger and are doing great. So long as you have a good instructor, keep up with lessons, and really study the material you will do fine. I mean if you have any flight experience, obviously it is going to be easier to a degree but its not necessary or that much better to have it in order to learn. Best of luck to you :)

Answer 4

The instructor is right. If you want to fly gliders, take gliding lessons and forget about airplanes.

Taking airplane lessons would largely be a waste of money, and might even be counterproductive. Flying gliders requires you to use your feet (for rudder inputs) a LOT more than most powered airplanes (except tailwheel). If you fly powered airplanes first, you're going to have an additional learning curve to get your feet into the game when you get in a glider.

I've flown both, and you're right, gliding is pure magic. Have fun!

Answer 5

I think it would be a great idea. Some of the best pilots are glider pilots since they know how to manage energy the best, the rest of powered flying is just pressing buttons and pulling levers.

I am a fixed wing pilot and I have never been in a glider but always wanted to. Go for it!

Answer 6

Absolutely! If you have no future plans for a license in powered flight, go for it. Many people do it just to experience the fun. Also, if you later on get interested in the powered flight, just upgrade. By then, you will have already learned a large chunk of the knowledge to become a powered flight pilot.
Good luck!

Answer 7

Yes, by all means if you decide later to get rated for powered flight you will have developed some very good skills.

Answer 8

I've flown both sailplanes and private aircraft and by all means flying with the wind and air as your engine and power source is a totally awesome experience

Answer 9

If you enjoyed your first ride, and want to learn more, then by all means... GO FOR IT!