Preparing for a solo flight

Learn to Fly Gliders in New Mexico!
Sundance Aviation has full time experienced instructors who will help you get your Private Glider License or your Glider Add-On Rating. There is nothing quite like being at the controls all alone, with out a motor, rising upward on a current of air. Put away those notions that it might be difficult. Our instructors will help you build confidence and skills. In 2007 a 14 year old girl and an 84 year old man were among the dozens of students soloed at Sundance.

Learning to fly

STARTING FROM SCRATCH
Estimated Cost $3000.00 to $5000.00
There is of course no stereo-typical average student, so it is impractical to make a guess about how long it will take a student to achieve his or her goals. Achievement depends on motivation, age, time available for practice, etc. The range for going solo from zero previous experience is between 20 and 70 flights. Depending on the goal of the lesson, flight time varies from 10 minutes to an hour. After a student goes solo, they practice on their own and with an instructor to prepare them for the final exam known as the Practical Check Ride.

ADDITIONAL RATINGS
Private - Estimated Cost $1500.00 to $2500.00
Commercial - Estimated Cost $1800.00 to $3000.00
Add on ratings typically go fast, solo in 5 to 30 flights depending on age and experience. Pilots with tailwheel time usually go fastest. Most power pilots are suprised however at the amount of new information that they must acquire to pass the Glider Practical Test.

COSTS
Tows are rated by altitude:
 $35 for the first 1000'
 $20 for each additional 1000' (or $2.00 each 100')

Gliders are rented by the hour:
 $50.00 for the Grob
 $50.00 for the LS-4 (single place)

Instruction:
 $40.00 per hour