Besides regular weekend Flight Training, the Vancouver Soaring Association offers weeklong gliding courses designed for people with no previous flying experience or people with previous power/glider flying experience, who have an unfulfilled desire to learn to fly gliders and a passion for outdoor activities.
 | To provide a thorough introduction all aspects of glider operation and glider flying. |
| Provide the necessary guidance to obtain a Transport Canada - Student Pilot Permit (The requirements will be sent to each student before the course for study). See also: http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Regserv/Affairs/cars/Part4/Standards/ see section421.19 |
| Experience flying in the mountains around Hope. |
On completion of the course the student pilot will have, under the guidance of an instructor, learnt:
| Glider preflight preparation. |
| Launch point safety procedures. |
| How to take-off a glider and release at altitude. |
| Many of the flying maneuvers in the training syllabus. |
| How to identify and use raising air to climb and travel in the mountains. |
| How to approach the airfield and land. |
| About the great sport of flying gliders in B.C. |
There will be three five day course in the 2010 season:
| Monday May 3rd to Friday May 7th |
| Monday June 7th to Friday June 11th |
| Monday July 5th to Friday July 9th |
| Must be 14 years minimum. |
| Maximum student weight 242lbs (glider design requirement) |
| Must be in reasonably good health to meet the requirements for Transport Canada. Medical Category 4. See: http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Regserv/Affairs/cars/Part4/Standards/t42402.htm |
Two qualified gliding instructors will run the course. A minimum of 4 and maximum of 6 participants are required which will ensure 3 or 4 training flights each day.
Training will follow the Transport Canada approved, Soaring Association of Canada flying training syllabus. It is expected that all the basic flying training exercises will be covered and that by the end of the week the student will be doing most of the flying. It is not possible in the week for a student pilot to gain sufficient experience to fly to the required standard for solo flight.
Start 09:00 hours with a briefing on the day’s activities (30 to 60 minutes), followed by getting the 2 - 2 seat dual control training gliders ready and flying until 18:00hours. A lunch break will be scheduled.
The intention is to have 2 training flights of up to ½ hour each before lunch and after lunch, when there is usually lift, make a 1 hour soaring flight in the local mountains.
Two cost options are offered:
Note: All costs include applicable PST and GST.
RV,s, campers and travel trailers can be parked and camping is allowed on VSA airport property. Motel accommodation is available within a short driving/walking distance from the airfield.
If you want to eat in, the clubhouse has a well equipped kitchen complete with cooking and eating utensils. For eating out there are cafes and restaurants in Hope town. Eating in or out is per individual preference.
Services are not available for RV’s, campers or travel trailers. Parking and camping cost is $5.00/night.
We will be flying Blanik VSL for most of the training. The higher performance fiberglass Grob 103’s, VSA and VSX are available for additional experience if required.
Many books have been written about learning to glide. Local libraries usually have some. Aero Training Products - see: http://www.aerotraining.com/ and Aviation World – see: http://www.aviationworld.net/ at YVR south side has a selection. In addition, you can purchase the official SAC training manual "soar and learn to fly gliders" at a cost of $25.
The VSA stocks these manuals. Please email hope.gliding@yahoo.com to order. Use the subject line " gliding instruction manual" in your email.
If you decide to sign-up, beware soaring is infectious and you have joined a true band of committed enthusiasts. You can fly gliders in most western countries. Gliding clubs usually have reciprocal flying privileges for experience licensed pilots.
Gliding is an outdoor activity, as such is weather dependent. Basically if its not raining and we have a cloud base higher than 2,000ft we will fly.
It is suggested that participants arrive mid Sunday afternoon to meet the instructors and check out the facilities.
Participants can bring a non flying significant other, relative or friend along.
Let us know you want to sign-up by e-mail (hope.gliding@yahoo.com) and we will respond with a phone number you can call if you have any further questions.
Also, please print off and fill out the 2009 Gliding Course application form, then mail it to:
Hope Gliding Centre
8926 Queen Mary Bvld.
Surrey, B.C.
V3V 6R1
On receipt of the deposit an information package will be mailed to you.