Hi All,

I only recently discovered this group.

I'm in the US Army stationed in Germany as a mobilized Reservist. I'll be returning home to Augusta, GA, the end of January. Shortly before I came to Germany in 2011 I did an add-on glider rating so I'd be able to fly while I was here "for a year" that has turned into two. I've discovered how much fun and how rewarding gliding can be.

I have little gliding/soaring experience in the US - only the private before I came over and commercial while I was home on leave last spring. I have about 70 hours and a total of just over 240 glider flights, split maybe 60/40 winch/aero tow. Most of my aero tows here have been for aerobatic flights.

I have virtually no experience gliding in the US other than the intensive and rewarding training.

In addition to the glider ratings I am a multi- instrument private pilot w/ just under 600 hours. I have Basic Ground- and Instrument Ground Instructor tickets. Gathering materials for CFIG now.

In Europe I've mostly flown ASK-21, ASK-18, and LS-4 with a bit of flying in an ASK-13, B4, and Cirrus K (aerobatic Cirrus from the early 80s).

I'm interested in learning cross country (SSA Bronze Badge so far), continuing with aerobatics, and becoming a CFIG. Home is Augusta, GA. A look at the SSA web site shows a number of clubs in the roughly 2-1/2 hour travel range from me. Cordele is south of me. Chilhowee about 4-1/4 hours away.

I'd like to get a single seat glider with some reasonable price/performance ratio - perhaps better than a 1-26 but staying under $25,000.

I enjoy writing. I have two articles submitted to Soaring now and ideas for a couple more.

So, all that to say, "I have very little experience with soaring in the US. What thoughts, advice, tips, etc. do the collective minds here have to share?" (Mostly about soaring life in general, please, not so much "this airplane if for sale now...)

In Army Writing we teach BLUF - Bottom Line Up Front. My bottom line is sort of at the end of a long intro. Sorry. Hope you made it to the question!

Terry