In wave, in blue hole at cloud level, hole closes, in IMC, then what?

While the training you could get in the UK would be of benefit if you
"inadvertently" get caught in cloud, you still could not legally fly a
glider in clouds in the US. Note that if the FAA learned that you'd
been caught in a cloud, they could very well take certificate action
against you for violating cloud clearance regulations.

Note further that to fly in clouds in the US the pilot has to have an
instrument rating and there is no such thing for gliders in the US. The
aircraft also has to be certified for flight in IMC which includes such
mundane things as a certified attitude indicator, altimeter, gyro
compass (maybe), pitot/static checks, etc.

Training would be helpful if you remain unaware of your surroundings but
I maintain that part of being pilot in command is being sure that that
doesn't happen. Having said that, I have a TruTrac mounted in my panel
and have a boat load of training and actual IMC flying and I still
wouldn't give myself a 100% chance of coming out the bottom or side of a
cloud in straight and level flight given the circumstances that started
this thread.

Good flying!

On 4/18/2015 7:02 AM, Martin Gregorie wrote:
On Sat, 18 Apr 2015 03:57:30 -0700, son_of_flubber wrote:

Does anyone in the UK offer glider cloud flying training for visiting
USA licensed glider pilots?
I don't know about the situation for visiting pilots at my club but then
again I don't think any have asked. I have no idea how you'd get the
cloud flying rating added to an American license or whether it would be
recognised by the FAA.

Some of our instructors are teaching cloud flying in our Schreibe SF-25
in preparation the introduction of EASA licensing. There is a BGA cloud
flying qualification which is not currently required, but its worth
getting prior to EASA licensing because it will be grandfathered onto the
EASA license: getting it after the license is issued will incur a charge
for adding the rating.



--
Dan Marotta

Have you looked at FAR 61.57 ?

"
(6) Maintaining instrument recent experience in a glider.

(i) Within the 6 calendar months preceding the month of the flight, that person must have performed and logged at least the following instrument currency tasks, iterations, and flight time, and the instrument currency must have been performed in actual weather conditions or under simulated weather conditions--

(A) One hour of instrument flight time in a glider or in a single engine airplane using a view-limiting device while performing interception and tracking courses through the use of navigation electronic systems.

(B) Two hours of instrument flight time in a glider or a single engine airplane with the use of a view-limiting device while performing straight glides, turns to specific headings, steep turns, flight at various airspeeds, navigation, and slow flight and stalls.

(ii) Before a pilot is allowed to carry a passenger in a glider under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR, that pilot must--

(A) Have logged and performed 2 hours of instrument flight time in a glider within the 6 calendar months preceding the month of the flight.

(B) Use a view-limiting-device while practicing performance maneuvers, performance airspeeds, navigation, slow flight, and stalls.
"


So there is at least some FAA framework for glider IFR.

Todd Smith
3S