I offer flight training in a gorgeous Pipistrel Sinus Flex Max. My schedule does not allow me to credibly provide introductory flight training. However, I do offer the courses listed below.

Add-on pilot ratings require a checkride with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). Those pilots are busy, so advanced scheduling is necessary. I generally only schedule training for times when we know a DPE will be available for a checkride on the last day.

After your practical exam, you’ll be a fully-rated glider pilot with a logbook endorsement for self-launch (motorgliders). There are no restrictions associated with this rating. You can continue your development by adding logbook endorsements for aerotow, auto tow, and ground launch (winch or bungee).

Private Glider Add-On for Airplane Pilots

If you already hold an Airplane rating, the requirements for a glider add-on are surprisingly attainable. Per 14 CFR 61.109(f)(2), you can add a Private level rating with as little as:

  • 3 total hours of training in a glider
  • 10 solo flights in a glider
  • 3 training flights within the preceding 2 months before your practical exam
  • A practical exam with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner

We schedule three full days of training for this course, though with cooperative weather a proficient pilot could potentially complete all requirements in just two.

Price: $1000

Commercial Glider Add-On for Airplane Pilots

Per 14 CFR 61.129(f) offers two pathways for adding a Commercial level rating. For pilots with at least 200 total hours in heavier-than-air aircraft, you can add a Commercial Glider rating with as little as:

  • 3 hours or 10 flights of dual instruction with a CFIG
  • 5 solo flights in a glider
  • 20 flights in a glider as Pilot in Command (usually solos)
  • 3 training flights within the preceding 2 months before your practical exam
  • A practical exam with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner

At most glider operations, a “flight” consists of hooking a tow rope up to an airplane, launching to a couple thousand feet AGL, doing your maneuvers, and landing. Flying a motorglider offers us major advantages here! Each landing for us counts as a single “flight.” At an airfield with little traffic, it’d be possible to accomplish 20 solo glider “flights” in the Pipistrel in an afternoon.

We schedule three full days for this course.

Price: $2000

Motorglider Endorsement for Airplane and Glider Rated Pilots

Adding a motorglider endorsement is usually easy for a current and proficient pilot who already holds both airplane and glider ratings. We’ll spend roughly half a day focusing on:

  • Rotax engine operating specifics
  • Normal Pipistrel operations including powered takeoffs and landings
  • In-flight engine shutdown and restart
  • Numerous simulated engine failures at all parts of the traffic pattern
  • Power-off landings

This includes some ground training and normally 1-2 aircraft flights. If you’re interested in a tailored program with more flying we can design a course to fit your needs.

Price: $500

Motorglider Endorsement for Glider-Only Rated Pilots

For glider pilots with no powered flight experience, this logbook endorsement essentially gives you most of the privileges of an airplane pilot without needing an extra checkride or a medical certificate. This course includes ground an flight instruction on the following areas:

  • Principles of operating aircraft engines
  • Inspecting engines and related systems
  • Preventative engine maintenance
  • Normal start and operations
  • Engine-related emergencies
  • Normal, short, and soft-field takeoffs
  • Climbs at specific airspeeds
  • Discussion and use performance climb speeds to include Vx, Vy, and Vcc
  • In-flight engine shutdown and restart
  • Numerous simulated engine failures at all parts of the traffic pattern
  • Powered touch & go operations

We schedule two full days for this course. A pure glider pilot with zero powered flight experience will feel like they’re learning from a fire hose. A pilot with some powered flight experience may demonstrate proficiency and earn their logbook endorsement in less time.

Price: $1000

Group Motorglider Training at Your Club

Does your club have a group of pilots interested in earning motorglider endorsements as a group? How about a half-day event involving food at your facility where your entire club is invited to a fun and engaging motorglider ground school, whether they plan to fly or not? Then, a group of 4-6 paying pilots could earn self-launch endorsements over the next two days. (I could potentially accommodate larger groups with a longer stay.)

For a group of this size, I’d travel to your location. The Pipistrel carries 7.5 hours of fuel, with reserves, and I love flying it cross country. Since we don’t need a tow plane or a launch crew, we could potentially fly on a day when you don’t normally operate. We could do the same with ground training, or make it part of an operating day to enable more members to attend. This could also potentially serve as an off-season a club event, as long as I don’t have to fly through too much winter to get to you.

Do you have some unique soaring conditions or fun gliders at your location? I’d consider trading for some desirable flying for discounts!

Why No Primary Flight Training?

I enjoy giving primary flight training, and the Pipistrel is a fantastic aircraft for it. However, I have a day job as an airline pilot, and a family. An initial flight student needs to consistently fly an minimum of 2-3 times per week to train effectively and minimize regression between lessons. My schedule is just too busy to credibly offer that kind of consistency. I wouldn’t be doing you justice to try taking you from zero to hero. The same goes for glider-only pilots looking to add on Commercial or Flight Instructor ratings.

Sadly, motorglider flight training is tough to find in the US. High aircraft prices and insurance rates don’t make it easy to provide. I have been persuaded to provide primary flight training on a case-by-case basis. However, my prices had to reflect loss of airline captain pay and family time. Chances are you’re better off earning a Airplane rating under Sport Pilot or Basic Med rules and then doing one of my transition courses.

Study Materials

I strongly recommend you download and read the FAA’s Glider Flying Handbook before arriving. I don’t want to waste your money or our time covering basic principles you can get from reading a book. However, I love discussing questions that arise from your self-study.