On 2/10/2016 7:29 AM, son_of_flubber wrote:
The absolute number of active pilots could be estimated from the (B)FR numbers.

True, but not glider pilots. As stated above, professional pilots
likely maintain "review status" (my coined term) through their company
or FAA required reviews. Those guys who may also be avid glider pilots
don't get any type of review which identifies them as glider pilots
unless their clubs require them and those aren't officially logged by
the government. Likewise, pilots with both power and glider ratings may
very well get their flight review in a power plane rather than in a
glider. You could get an estimate of glider only pilots, but what is
the percentage of glider only pilots compared to pilots with both power
and glider ratings?

Frankly, I don't see any current way to estimate the number of "current"
glider pilots other than by a survey, and who responds to those?

--
Dan, 5J