Why is Soaring declining

The way I read the FARs,..... it takes 20 Flights in a glider,
aeronatical experience, if you do not have a power license. This could
be done in areas where there is good lift, rather teach SOARING by
flying one or two hrs at a time, than making all those launches the
way they do it in Germany in many places. Interesting that there is no
requirement for minmum time, like in power training (hrs)! The only
requirement is the two hrs of solo flight time mentioned, which in no
lift sites could take quite a few launches.
All this refers to US FARs

From what I've seen, before safe solo aerotow requires 25-50 flights
for pure novices. Winch or autotow may be easier. I dunno...


With a power rating, or 40 hrs of power time under your belt it could
be done with 13 flights. All this, Of course, has to be cleverly
arranged, to fit into the rest of the framework, dual and soloflights
required. AND those are minima. Some students learn fast, very few
never get it.

Dieter B 1408997CFI Life Member SSA

I've seen very experienced power guys solo in four flights.
Aerotow is the hardest part. If they've done formation/IFR
before especially. I dunno how a pilot with the bare minimum
40 hrs would do...
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Mark Boyd
Avenal, California, USA