While the first solo flight is unquestionably a defining moment in all flying careers, the goals beyond solo are somewhat more convoluted in gliding than is the case with other forms of aviation. Because of this, unless a structured approach is followed, progression is likely to be slow and hence frustrating. Conversely, the exhilaration of prolonged soaring flight can be within reach after relatively few flights if a concerted effort is made to extract maximum benefit from every flight.

This page provides a brief overview of just some of the key elements of pilot development beyond first solo. The Club Mentoring Programme goes into considerably more detail on the achievement of the flying skills required to achieve prolonged soaring flight in the Caboolture area.

Progression Paths

Post solo progress can be considered in terms of authorizations and achievements as follows:

Keep Moving Forward

The mandatory requirements for the above steps, where relevant, are set out in the various links. While Club Instructors and Mentors will generally encourage members to move towards the next achievement level, it is really up to each individual to actively seek to obtain the required flying experience and pass the required theory tests. Equally, it is up to individuals to complete the necessary Application Forms.

Early Post Solo Stage

The first solo flight must be considered as just a confidence building step on the way to becoming a soaring pilot - nothing more and nothing less! To maintain the training momentum, every opportunity should be taken to complete one or more of the post solo sequences during each daily check flight. Also, early solo pilots must actively seek to learn and improve thermalling techniques, and should consider seeking dual instruction and/or mentoring in this aspect on days with good soaring potential.

Medium and Steep Turns

If there is one single flying skill that has importance above all others in relation to becoming a competent soaring pilot, it is the ability to carry out constant speed balanced turns at angles of bank from 45º to 80º in all conditions.

It is therefore clear that every opportunity should be taken to learn and practice these skills to the stage where such manoeuvres become a conditioned reflex. Some notes on steep turns are available here.

Badges and Authorisations

All pilots are encouraged to set themselves goals for both authorisations and achievements and to focus their flying on the achievement of those goals. Every flight should be regarded as an opportunity to develop skills - no matter how mundane the flight itself might seem at the outset. For example:

1. A quick hangar flight. Think of it as an outlanding practice! Mentally picture a fence at an appropriate location on the field and select an aiming point and a touch down point relative to it. Then fly your circuit, approach and landing such that you clear the "fence" by about one wingspan and touch down at the selected point. The alternative is to come in fast, skim along just above the ground with minimal air brake deployed, and then use air brake and eventually wheel brake to enable you to stop adjacent the hangar feeling somewhat pleased with your expertise. THIS HAS VIRTUALLY ZERO BENEFIT AS FAR AS SKILL DEVELOPMENT IS CONCERNED.
2. A local soaring flight. Before take off, consider the conditions and work out where lift might be expected in relation to clouds or potential thermal sources; then mentally rehearse your thermal search and centering techniques relative to the expected conditions. During the flight seek to put the theory into practice and learn from the outcome. If conditions are suitable, set yourself a "mini cross country" within easy gliding range of the field and then practice turnpoint techniques. The alternative of just wafting around the sky is unlikely to do much for the early achievement of your goals, although the flight will have been enjoyable enough.

Cross Country Flying

Click here for information on cross country flying

The GFA Sales Department offers a wide selection of books which embrace all of the above. Of particular value are the two volumes of Flying Faster and Further by Maurie Bradney.

But your reading should also include frequent revision of Basic Gliding Knowledge in order to maintain a sound underpinning for the more advanced aspects.

Simulations. To gain theoretical familiarity with speeds to fly, which thermals to take and which to leave, height bands and final glide considerations, spend some time with the Krasnoff Simulation. The simulation has some excellent general guidance in the help file - click here for the relevant extract.

Flying. You do not have to be flying out of reach of your home field in order to practice cross country skills. The following extracts from "Flying Faster and Further - Part 1" are relevant here:

• Work at centering all thermals rapidly. Use a small number of systems and develop them to a high standard. Always use 35º of bank or more. Practice using the turn direction you least prefer. After working the thermal leave it and see if you can find it again lower down. Near the airfield is a very good place to practice picking up a thermal from low down. Take care when doing this not to interfere with normal circuit traffic.
• Select clouds and fly to them. Note your successes and failures and try to develop recognition of the best working clouds.
• On blue days lift will usually form streets the same as it does when there are clouds. Usually they will be along the wind line, but on light wind days or when there is overlying wave they may be cross wind. Look for them and use them if they are there.
• Practice flying a line and make a suitable allowance for drift. Learn to estimate the wind strength and direction. Use this in conjunction with the previous factor to go as far as possible without thermalling.
• If other sailplanes are thermalling, practice joining them. Try not to frighten them or yourself.
• Select a line and fly along it from one likely thermal source to another. Minor diversions may be necessary. This is a good one to try when the thermals are not going very high. Note your successes.
• Look for waves. Check out every possible source. Note the appearance of the clouds where you have found waves. They will also occur on blue days. Visualise the method you used successfully on clouds and apply them in the blue.