Flight Training @ PGC

The Training Program

The objective of flight training at PGC is to create safe, knowledgeable, and skillful glider pilots. We take training seriously and include requirements that are over and above minimum FAA standards. Our modern fleet of Grob 103 two-place gliders is well suited for teaching the fundamentals of glider flight and preparing pilots to fly a wide range of gliders as they progress through their private pilot rating and advanced ratings.

Student pilots are expected to be well prepared in the “academic” aspects of training through independent preparation and structured ground instruction sessions. A commitment to invest the time to fly on a regular basis is required to learn and development the necessary skills in an efficient manner. Developing into a proficient pilot requires ongoing flight experience; flying on an occasional basis results in a protracted learning period for students and safety proficiency issues for certificated pilots.

Pilots trained at PGC have a nationwide reputation for being thoroughly proficient in the core skills and safety aspects of soaring.

PGC uses a standard flight training syllabus based on the following required study material:

      • First Flight To Solo, Tom Knauff
      • SSA Soaring Flight Manual, Soaring Society of America
      • Private Glider Pilot Practical Test Standards, FAA-S-8081-22
      • Federal Aviation Regulations/Aeronautical Information Manual (FAR/AIM), U.S. DOT Title 14, 14 CFR
      • FAA Glider Flying Handbook

Additional study materials include:

  • After Solo, by Thomas Knauff
  • Cross Country Soaring, by Helmut Reichmann
  • Glider Performance Polars Made Easy, by Robert Wander
  • Gliding, by Derek Piggott
  • Learning to Fly Gliders, by Robert Wander
  • New Soaring Pilot, by Welch & Irving
  • Off Field Landings, by Thomas Knauff
  • Soaring Cross Country, by Byars and Holbrook
  • Transition To Gliders, by Thomas Knauff