Instruction Philosophy

All of the club instructors at the El Paso Soaring Society offer their services to other club members free of charge as a courtesy to the club.  Flight instruction is facilitated through a mutual agreement between each individual student and instructor.  Most of our club instructors teach by appointment only, and it is the responsibility of the student to schedule each appointment.  Since all flight instruction at our club is free of charge, we request that all students participate frequently in glider flight operations, club projects and club chores.

Basic Training Programs

The El Paso Soaring Society offers FAA-approved flight instruction towards student pilot, private pilot, commercial pilot and flight instructor certificates, and we have our very own FAA Designated Pilot Examiner available to issue you your pilot's certificate with a glider rating upon satisfactory completion of the course.

ABC & Bronze Badge Program

This program follows the SSA-approved training syllabus for individuals who would like to have introductory training in cross-country soaring.  At the completion of this course, pilots will receive their Bronze Badge and will be well prepared to attempt the distance task of the FAI Silver Badge (a solo glider flight of 50km).  A basic explanation of each badge in this program is as follows:

• A Badge: Demonstrate basic glider knowledge, and complete a solo flight.

• B Badge: Demonstrate basic soaring knowledge, and complete a solo flight of at least 30 minutes in duration.

• C Badge: Demonstrate advanced soaring knowledge, complete a solo flight of at least 60 minutes in duration, and demonstrate simulated off-airport landings.

• Bronze Badge: Demonstrate cross-country knowledge, log at least 15 solo hours including at least 30 solo flights (with 2 flights of at least 2 hours in duration), demonstrate at least 3 supervised-solo accuracy landings and complete a written exam.

For more information about the ABC & Bronze Badge program, please visit the SSA's website.

Recurrent Training

El Paso Soaring Society club members are required to complete recurrent training every two years, or whenever they have been absent from soaring for more than 90 consecutive days.  Recurrent training consists of both ground and flight instruction, and covers a review of club rules and procedures.  Completion of another training program may also qualify for completion of recurrent training; ask a club flight instructor for details.

Thermal, Ridge and Mountain Wave Soaring Techniques

Soaring is as much art as it is science: pilot techniques continuously change with their growing experience, knowledge and understanding of air masses and their effect on gliders.  By far the most important variable in successfully soaring a glider for long durations, long distances and high altitudes is not glider design—but a pilot's climbing skills!  Scheduling a dedicated climbing lesson with a flight instructor is one of the quickest ways of improving your soaring technique.

Cross-country Training Program

One of the most rewarding aspects of soaring is to apply everything you've ever learned and successfully fly a glider cross-country—using only the energy of mother nature.  From our club's location in El Paso, cross-country tasks of 1,000km or longer are possible!  Completing the SSA's Cross-Country Training Program is the safest and fastest way of achieving your cross-country soaring goals.  The program is divided into 8 sections:

• Accuracy Landings

• Off-Field Landings

• Thermal Acquisition and Centering

• Speed-to-Fly

• Map Reading and Navigation

• Cross-Country Techniques

• Other Preparations for Cross-Country Flying

• Use of Parachutes