Newbie commercial school question

I'd recommend learning on aerotow. If you do your checkride on aerotow,
it's only a CFIG endorsement to fly MG's, but you'd need a second
checkride if you do MG's first. Also, unless you're going to have
access to a MG after training, I don't see how a MG checkride will do
you much good since most FBO's are aerotow.

As to locations, I'd second Soar Minden. I did my training there in
1995 and loved it. While the wx isn't totally reliable (how about a
snow flurry in July one year?), I suspect that it is one of the most
reliable sites in the nation. And the views are absolutely stunning
when you get high enough to see Lake Tahoe -- which is most days after
April.

Wishing you luck.

Martin

wrote:
I'd recommend learning on aerotow. If you do your checkride on aerotow,
it's only a CFIG endorsement to fly MG's, but you'd need a second
checkride if you do MG's first. Also, unless you're going to have
access to a MG after training, I don't see how a MG checkride will do
you much good since most FBO's are aerotow.

As to locations, I'd second Soar Minden. I did my training there in
1995 and loved it. While the wx isn't totally reliable (how about a
snow flurry in July one year?), I suspect that it is one of the most
reliable sites in the nation. And the views are absolutely stunning
when you get high enough to see Lake Tahoe -- which is most days after
April.

Wishing you luck.

Martin
Could be moot in any event. FAA notwithstanding, know any US insurance
carriers that will allow glider student solo in motorgliders?

Frank

wrote:
I'd recommend learning on aerotow. If you do your checkride on aerotow,
it's only a CFIG endorsement to fly MG's, but you'd need a second
checkride if you do MG's first. Also, unless you're going to have
access to a MG after training, I don't see how a MG checkride will do
you much good since most FBO's are aerotow.

Correction to the above based on conversation wtih CFIG: Since the FAA
amended rules in 1997, it only takes a CFIG sign-off to move from any
launch restriction to another. What I said above was based on the rules
prior to 1997, and even then slightly off. Bottom line: If this is
important to you, check it out directly and don't depend on what I said
earlier!

US relevant only

Correction to the above based on conversation wtih CFIG: Since the FAA
amended rules in 1997, it only takes a CFIG sign-off to move from any
launch restriction to another.

More correctly, it only takes a CFIG sign-off to ADD another launch method.

If your current license reads "glider - aero tow only", when you request
a replacement license (like if your old paper license went through the
wash [don't ask :-) ]), it will simply say "glider".

Tony V. CFIG