Glider Rating

I started working on my glider rating July 20th. The Mile High Gliding school has a different philosophy for training. After three sessions, I've been with three different instructors. I'm on the fence right now as to preference between a dedicated instructor or different instructors throughout the training.

My first instruction flight was with an instructor who has studied weather and currently works in a weather related company. We rode thermals for most of the session, while I worked on coordinated turns. Much more critical and harder to hold than in the 152/172 aircraft. After getting to 10,500 MSL (5,200 AGL) went through stalls and impact of the dive brakes.

My second session involved two tows and I started working on controlling the glider while being towed. Everything would go fine and then we would get a bit of a bump and I would over correct, correct again and start oscillating until the instructor would take over and tuck us right in position without any problem. The instructor talked me through the landing pattern and then took over when we were on final.

My third session was with the school's chief pilot. I would not recommend a first session with him. While you are flying with him you also get a knowledge dump. He talks the entire time about what you are doing and why. Very informative, but I would recommend this for after a few sessions so you can focus on what he is saying. Continued to work on controlling the glider when under tow. I worked the ailerons during the take off, until the speed was where the rudder and ailerons needed to be worked together. The instructor took control until we were 200 feet AGL. I did better at controlling the glider, but would still get to a point where I was oscillating left to right. Did more stalls, both straight and turning, coordinated turns at 30 to 45 degrees, and worked the dive brakes when in the pattern.

I've been trying to fly twice a week, but the only way to do that is if I fly in the afternoons when the cumulus start building. All three instructors have now recommended that I try a morning flight as it will be easier to control the glider when in the tow.