Motorglider Endorsement

On Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 11:06:47 AM UTC-4, Dan Marotta wrote:
I have alwaysÂ* wondered about the usefulness of having someone who's
never seen a particular make/model of glider "sign me off" as competent
to fly it.

Years ago I got a new-to-me glider model, and the insurance required a "cockpit checkout". I asked a CFIG for that, and after some futzing around the cockpit with me he wrote in my logbook that he checked the cockpit and found the glider airworthy. :-)

On Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 12:05:22 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Years ago I got a new-to-me glider model, and the insurance required a "cockpit checkout".
I asked a CFIG for that, and after some futzing around the cockpit with me he wrote in my
logbook that he checked the cockpit and found the glider airworthy. :-)

The insurance company would like some confirmation that the new pilot is familiar with the POH, and the simplest way is to ask for a CFIG endorsement. You and the instructor should have gone over parts of the POH and perhaps the W&B to confirm you understand the aircraft and its systems as well as making sure it's airworthy. If the instructor knows nothing about this glider, an experienced pilot can be enlisted to provide a brief which the instructor supervises.

I'm sure even Dan would like to see me get briefed on his Stemme before tossing me the keys ;-)

5Z

I see my posting was not clear. My story tried to illustrate that a "cockpit checkout" is not well defined, and in the case of that specific CFIG, was completely misunderstood. For a useful checkout, a non-CFI pilot who is well acquainted with the model can probably do a better job than a CFI who is not.

When I got my first glider, which was an HP-14, single-seater with flaps and no spoilers, I got checked out by a CFIG in a *Cessna*, which was appropriate, since that allowed dual practice with flaps. I was also used to flying the Cessna at that time, so could demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the use of flaps. I wonder if a powered plane (with a suitably rated CFIG) could be used for dual training for the motorglider endorsement, if a 2-seat motorglider is not available?

Like many things in aviation, what you get depends a bit on what you ask for. I've been asked to do cockpit checkout on some gliders that I've never flown. I'm smart enough to know what I don't know, so I found a knowledgeable pilot to participate (e.g. for a PIK 20B). Hopefully if you're far enough along to be buying you're own sailplane, you know a bit about what a checkout should be.

One of the reasons I like flying with a club is that (hopefully) the peer group will keep an eye out for folks who are buying too much glider for their experience.

Sorry - off topic. Oh well, it is RAS after all.

On Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at 10:59:26 AM UTC-4, wrote:
I see my posting was not clear. My story tried to illustrate that a "cockpit checkout" is not well defined, and in the case of that specific CFIG, was completely misunderstood. For a useful checkout, a non-CFI pilot who is well acquainted with the model can probably do a better job than a CFI who is not.

When I got my first glider, which was an HP-14, single-seater with flaps and no spoilers, I got checked out by a CFIG in a *Cessna*, which was appropriate, since that allowed dual practice with flaps. I was also used to flying the Cessna at that time, so could demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the use of flaps. I wonder if a powered plane (with a suitably rated CFIG) could be used for dual training for the motorglider endorsement, if a 2-seat motorglider is not available?

On Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at 7:59:26 AM UTC-7, wrote:
I see my posting was not clear. My story tried to illustrate that a "cockpit checkout" is not well defined, and in the case of that specific CFIG, was completely misunderstood. For a useful checkout, a non-CFI pilot who is well acquainted with the model can probably do a better job than a CFI who is not.

When I got my first glider, which was an HP-14, single-seater with flaps and no spoilers, I got checked out by a CFIG in a *Cessna*, which was appropriate, since that allowed dual practice with flaps. I was also used to flying the Cessna at that time, so could demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the use of flaps. I wonder if a powered plane (with a suitably rated CFIG) could be used for dual training for the motorglider endorsement, if a 2-seat motorglider is not available?

Generally no since it won't meet the guidance in AC 61-94. Everything beyond that is going to be a more detailed discussion with the FAA.

Schleicher motorglider purchasers at least are well covered with Williams having an ASG 32Mi for flight instruction and the common operation across different Schleicher motogliders. I notice Phoenix as well including instruction for their motorgliders out of Minden. I'm not sure which other arrangements dealers have for self-launch endorsements and sign offs but it seems important and something I would look for when considering buying a motorglider.

(Years ago I did a self-launch endorsement with Rolf Peterson in a Grob 109.. Largely irrelevant to the ASH-26E I was about to buy, but we knew that and Rolf provided very good and still useful training. I then I did a ASH26E sign off by Rex at Williams with help from a very experienced ASH26E owner.. With stuff as funky/finicky as some motorgliders I would really try to spend time with experienced owner/operators to avoid expensive or dangerous mistakes. I've seen stuff as simple as sharing and refining rigging and pre-flight checklists to be really useful).