A Certificate Syllabus
The Gliding New Zealand training syllabus lays out the training that each glider pilot is to receive. The syllabus is also used as a means of recording the trainee pilot's progress.
>> Click here to download the A Certificate Syllabus.
The following notes provide the trainee pilot with information relevant to each element of the training syllabus. Your instructors will expand on this information, and where relevant undertake practical exercises with you. Click on the links below to access the training notes.
| AIR EXPERIENCE / FAMIL | WIRE LAUNCH (as applicable to site) |
| Glider familiarisation | Launch procedures |
| Fitness for flight (I'm safe) | Ground run & liftoff |
| Strapping in and comfort | Rotation and safety climb |
| Local area famil/orientation | Full climb |
| Pre t/o checks (CB SIFT CBE) | Top of climb / release |
| Signals / calls for speed | |
| CONTROLS | Launch in crosswinds |
| Handing/taking over control | |
| Principles of flight | SITUATIONAL AWARENESS |
| Effects of control (Primary) | Lookout / scanning |
| Effects of control (Secondary) | Collision avoidance |
| Turns (up to 30� A o B) | Right of way / etiquette |
| Straight and Level | Use of radio |
| Use of trim | |
| Use of airbrakes | NON-NORMAL SITUATIONS |
| Low acceleration on t/o | |
| STALLING | Low level launch failure |
| HASELL checks | Brake out signal |
| Reduced G famil | Wave off signal |
| Slow speed handling | Release hang-up |
| Stall recognition/recovery | Aerotow upset |
| Stall avoidance | No instrument circuit |
| Stall with brakes out | |
| Stall in a turn | CIRCUIT |
| Incipient spin & recovery | Wind assessment |
| Full spin & recovery (demo) | Safe speed near the ground |
| Spiral dive & recovery | Joining |
| Pre-landing checks (SUFB) | |
| AEROTOW LAUNCH (as applicable to site) | Downwind / base leg |
| Launch procedure | Final approach / aim pt |
| Ground roll | Flare / landing |
| Lift off / initial position | Bounce recovery |
| Normal high tow position | Correcting if low |
| Release | Correcting if high |
| Out of position recovery | Landing in crosswind |
| Launch in crosswinds | Baulked approach |
| 3 Safe solo flights | |
| A CERTIFICATE | SOLO FLIGHT |
| Responsibilities as PiC | |
| 10 Oral question exam | Handling & performance |