Scenario # 1: I've got 2 guys (with FAA SEL Pilot Certificates) who planned to
come to Marfa, Texas for glider training next week. Neither has a US Passport
nor can they obtain a Certified Copy of their Birth Certificate because they
are told you need to go to your home town or county to obtain it in person from
the Clerk's office. Both of the guys tell me they are US Citizens, but there's
no time to obtain TSA required documents in time to start training with me next
week. Even though your FAA Pilot Certificate lists your Nationality, it is
not a valid form of ID according to the TSA "help" desk. TSA tells me I cannot
train them. I wonder if they are giving out consistent advice?

Scenario # 2: Third student is a local 13 year old youngster. Hopes to solo
on 14th birthday over the Christmas Holidays. Has no previous glider training
except great RC model flyer. Been reading books and watching soaring videos.
No Passport. Mom working on getting an original certified copy of his birth
certificate from out of state. TSA "help" desk has no idea what I'm talking
about. Advised me that no one can fly solo under age 16. Looks like TSA
doesn't understand gliders - or at least the advisor I talked with was not
aware.

I guess we will have to advise our students well in advance of coming to fly
with us to get their documents in order. The spontaneous days of the touring
airplane pilot who sees a gliderport and wants a spur-of-the-moment
introductory dual glider flight are gone, unless they are carrying a US
Passport. The kid that learned to be your line crew last weekend will not get
their first dual glider flight as a reward for their work. I wonder how CAP is
dealing with this?

Looks like every American at every age should obtain and carry a US Passport.
Makes life easier to carry your "papers". But then again, I'm not trained to
detect forged Passports.

Burt
Marfa, Texas