'Lo all!
Here's one I'd like to throw out to the group: How many people here think it's better for a rank beginner to start by getting his glider lisence first; then graduating to power?
I started as a glider pilot; a dumb 16-year-old they somehow had the insanely poor judgement to trust with a 2-33 in the Air Cadet Glider Scholarship program. The 2-33's about the biggest pig in the air; but back then, whoa boy; we're talkin' way-cool-time here!
Somewhat inevitably; I went on to get my light-aircraft lisence; and over the years I've noticed differences in the way I fly and look at flying and the rookies I see going up today. Both good and bad, of course; hence the question.
First; landings. Although it's not taught this way; students learn by the instructors' reactions to dread the deadstick. A no-power landing - one chance to get it right - oh, no! Far as I'm concerned; no big deal. Well - yes, big deal of course; it means something's seriously broken up front, but the actual landing I'm fairly comfortable with. While a 172 glides very differently from a Blanik, for instance; the mindset is simillar: every flight in a glider is a deadstick; with one wheel to boot. Once you've done your first hundred or so; it's not so terrifying (though there are always gonna be
those days...). Sideslipping is fairly second-nature as well. Also for myself; one thing got drilled into my head time and time again by Dad and Grandpa (I'm a third-generation pilot): "You can fly one hundred hours, or you can fly one hour one hundred times". And: "A pilot's lisence means you can start learning how to fly". Upshot: My first hundred hours were almost entirely within the circuit; practicing takeoffs, landings. Emergency procedures. Cross-and-downwind landings. Failure drills; loss of flaps, loss of instruments, loss of engine. Over and over - it's a
lot more fun than just tootling over the city.
But the vast majority of students don't work like this; they get their lisence and the first thing; they've got Mom, Dad, Sis and their dog Spot up over the city. Though I hate to say it; I have strong reservations about their ability to perform a deadstick if it ever became neccesary. Not just in skill; but in mental preparation - will they panic when the humming stops? They just don't have the practice to be able to perform the required actions without thinking; which is vitally important.
Another is in precise control. Don't get me wrong; our kids are taught VERY well; thankyouverymuch. but in a glider; you
really learn to get a grip on that stick and stay behind the towplane - VERY tricky when you're first starting out - even for power pilots getting their rating; I've seen. With rare exceptions; most newly-minted pilots have a certain reservation about grabbing the yoke and giving it a good yank.
Another bit is outward observation. Often as not; rookies getting their power lisence tend to be directed inward - i.e. to the instruments - rather than what's outside. When I was getting my lisence (and others report this as well), I practically had to be forced to look at the controls - I was always scanning the sky with just a quick glance at the six-pack.
Some downsides: I had quite a bit of trouble unlearning the habits from flying 2-33's - had a real annoying tendancy to stomp on the rudder entering a turn. Also at using the engine properly; and most definitely all the annoying bookwork involved in getting the power lisence. (I. Hate. Air. Law.)
So; you might say there are plusses and minuses to getting your glider lisence first; before getting your power; though IMO the skills and experience that gliding gives far outweigh the disadvantages.
What are your opinions?
Thanx.
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