About the Course

Prerequisites: None
Approximate time to complete: 25 minutes

This course provides an overview of the sport of soaring. In it, you will learn about the glider, the various ways that gliders can be launched, the types of lift that glider pilots can use to stay aloft, and the fun things you can do once you get your glider pilot certificate.

You will also learn about the process of getting your private pilot certificate, including how long it takes, and how much it costs.

The course wraps up with a short, one-minute long video that takes you through the different parts of a flight, from aerotow to landing, demonstrating the excitement and beauty that is the sport of soaring.

About the Course

 Course Curriculum

  • 1
  • 2
    The Sport of Soaring
    • Section Overview
    • Video
    • Quiz1
  • 3
    Getting Your License
    • Section Overview
    • Video
    • Quiz 2
  • 4
    Let's Go for a Flight
    • Section Overview
    • Bonus Video
  • 5
    Final Exam
    • Final Exam

  About the Instructor

  • Russell Holtz

    Russell Holtz

    Russell is the author of two well-respected and widely-used soaring flight training books in the United States - the Glider Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and the Flight Training Manual for Glider Pilots.

    Russell grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering.

    He obtained his Private Pilot Certificate in gliders in 1995, in airplanes in 1996, his Commercial Certificate in Gliders in 1998, and his Certified Flight Instructor rating in gliders in 1999. He completed the FAI Silver Badge requirements in 1997, and the Gold and Diamond requirements in 1998. Russell has given over 2,800 hours of primary, cross-country, contest, and aerobatic flight instruction, and has over 4,000 hours total time in gliders.

    Russell's passion for understanding and communicating soaring knowledge is evident in his teaching.

Reviews

  • Great Course

    Armida Hollingsworth

    I ordered a glider logbook from this company over a year ago and received an invitation to try this online course. I love it! It was clear and informative. I just wish these course were available earlier!

    I ordered a glider logbook from this company over a year ago and received an invitation to try this online course. I love it! It was clear and informative. I just wish these course were available earlier!

    Read Less
  • Soaring Intro

    Thomas Beckenbauer

    Excellent overview of soaring, the sequence of learning to soar and the requirements to get a licanse.

    Excellent overview of soaring, the sequence of learning to soar and the requirements to get a licanse.

    Read Less
  • Introduction to Soaring

    Destin Crandlemire

    This was really fun, I liked it. Thanks, Destin

    This was really fun, I liked it. Thanks, Destin

    Read Less
  • Amazing!

    Emilou Shrake

    I love the world of aviation, and I wanted a way to really see if that is what I wanted to do with my life. This course is amazing! I had no idea there were so many options for sailplanes (Gliders). Throughout the course he explained how to get yo...

    Read More

    I love the world of aviation, and I wanted a way to really see if that is what I wanted to do with my life. This course is amazing! I had no idea there were so many options for sailplanes (Gliders). Throughout the course he explained how to get your certificate and a step by step process of how to meet the requirements. I would recommend this course to anyone who is even slightly interested!

    Read Less
  • Good little introduction to soaring

    Lewis Hykes

    I found the information informative to new student pilots

    I found the information informative to new student pilots

    Read Less
  • Excellent

    Mike Rapuano

    Great intro. Very well done.

    Great intro. Very well done.

    Read Less
  • Introduction to Soaring

    Charlie Fivecoat

    Excellent presentation of material. Well organized and easy to understand.

    Excellent presentation of material. Well organized and easy to understand.

    Read Less
  • Very Helpful!

    James Rink

    This is a great supplement for learning at the convenience of my desk !!

    This is a great supplement for learning at the convenience of my desk !!

    Read Less
  • Very informative

    Robert Maldonado

    Easy to understand.

    Easy to understand.

    Read Less
  • Introduction to Soaring

    Ron Reddell

    Whole course was easy to follow and retain. Very enjoyable! Recommend it highly.

    Whole course was easy to follow and retain. Very enjoyable! Recommend it highly.

    Read Less
  • Excellent!

    Rand Baldwin

    To the point, clear, well illustrated, and just long enough...

    To the point, clear, well illustrated, and just long enough...

    Read Less
  • I liked this course,

    Anthony Rice

    I learned a lot from this course and I'm now more ready to fly than before.

    I learned a lot from this course and I'm now more ready to fly than before.

    Read Less