Open Discussion; Creating XC pilots

On Tuesday, December 23, 2014 8:09:10 AM UTC-7, Bob Pasker wrote:
I'm a newly minted CPL-G, who also hold ASEL, ASES, heli, and instrument/airplane, who has a lot of XC experience in powered flight.

I have searched in vain for a place to start training for XC, and it has been very difficult because most glider clubs and commercial operation websites focus on club member activities, PPL-G training, and sightseeing rides (commercial). Also, I'm not by nature a "joiner," and the club process (go to some meetings, join up, fly with some people, etc) doesn't fit my Type A personality. My messages to club info email addresses info@blahblah go unanswered, or the people who've responded are like, yeah, sure, come to a meeting, which I didn't feel was very inviting.

My experience with finding a place to learn wave has been similar.

So my current plan is to buy a used SLMG and start flying.

Any thoughts or ideas please let me know.

--bob

You've just run up against the intrinsic culture divide between gliders and airplanes.

I have about the same airplane background as you do so I understand where you are coming from. Owning an airplane makes flying incredibly simple. Just call the FBO and ask them to tow your airplane to the ramp and fuel it. When you arrive at the airport, just walk to the airplane with the keys in your pocket and go fly. You don't have to talk to anybody. Even flying a rental airplane is pretty much like that. You can fly as many hours or miles as your wallet can withstand.

Soaring is very different and it's not about simplicity and success depends on more than the thickness of one's wallet (although that helps). Gliders can't get into the sky without a team effort. They need assembling, pushing, someone to fly the tow plane, someone to run the wing and, if you land out, you will need someone to come get you. They need to know if they do this for you, you will do it for them. That's why the invitation to a meeting. It's inherently a group activity. I've been told many times I'm a type A but I nonetheless enjoy the teamwork.

If you really can't get your head around this maybe a SLMG is the way to go but even then you'll need some help from time to time.

So why do it? What are the rewards? Soaring can be hard but doing things that are hard often brings rewards in a feeling of accomplishment that airplane flying simply can't match. Learning to work with a team also has its rewards.