On Thursday, December 22, 2016 at 10:35:47 PM UTC-6, wrote:
Looking to get a glider add on rating through a commercial school to do it quickly. Nothing near by me suits this so I must travel.

Reading through this forum I could use some pointers of where to train.

Planning on taking a week of vacation, buying airline tickets for the family so I need certainty that this is the right decision. I don't want to get down there and find out it's a bust.

Gatlinburg seems nice with Chilhowee, but how reliable is the weather in this area?

Seminole Lake in Orlando seems iffy after reading reviews of the owner in jail. Nice resorts in the area for cheap, but will it for sure be operating in 6 months from now?

Dillingham in Hawaii looks awesome, but will that kind of flying prepare me for soaring in the 48 states given it's an island?

Any solid recommendations where I can have a luxurious vacation and get an add on rating in 2-3 days.

Thoughts? Recommendations?

Seminole-Lake Gliderport is a wonderful operation to pursue your glider add on goal. We provide training in 2 L-23 Blaniks, 1 Grob 103, and a PW-6. We have 3 Pawnees as towplanes. Located just 20 minutes from Disney, Universal Studios, Sea World, and other major tourist areas, your family will not mind you being gone during the day. We have airline service from both Orlando and Tampa airports so a direct flight is possible from many areas of the US. There are accommodations on the airfield available on-site but your family may want to take advantage of the hotels located at the parks.

We have 2 individuals that seem to post very negative comments about the operation and a quick call to anyone in the soaring community will dispel any concerns you have.

Being in Florida we enjoy the weather many wish they had during this time of year. Although summer is hot, this time of year is perfect for soaring. Our best cross country weather is from November thru the second week of June. We can accommodate you training at any time except 2 weeks in March when we host the Senior Soaring Championship (largest single class sailplane race in the US) and the US Sailplane Grand Prix (a sailplane race that is a qualifier for the World event). Please view this short video to look at our facility. https://youtu.be/9R35sOl9Xyw Hope to meet you at Seminole-Lake Gliderport.

Rich Owen
Vice President
Seminole Flying and Soaring