The decline of gliding - a worldwide issue?

On Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 8:29:39 AM UTC-6, Mark Mocho wrote:
The USAF Academy's soaring program is also the cheapest initial pilot training in the Air Force.
The Discii were purchased by the Academy Graduates Association for the cadet soaring team, a practice that is no longer allowed, hence no upgrades to that racing fleet. The DG-1001s are used in aerobatic competitions and presumably at XC camps, but not in contests to date. Cadet flight time and training is not recorded on their USAF flight records because, .... USAFA Cadets are not military members until they graduate and are sworn. Therefore that air time does not qualify for FAA ratings consideration as does military flight time.