Your First Glider Flight
PGC is a great place for your first glider ride. An Aeronautical Orientation Flight (AOF), with an FAA Certified Commercial Pilot, is available for $60. Depending on weather conditions, an orientation flight is typically 20 to 30 minutes. The best time for an orientation flight is a weekend day from May through October, between noon and 4:00 pm. Orientation Flight Gift Certificates are also available. To schedule a flight call: Joe Beyer (215)-822-0757.
Who Can Fly Gliders?
Flying a glider does not require extraordinary skill, but rather sound judgment and the ability to learn new things, reasonable hand-eye coordination, and physical condition that supports the activities involved with soaring. PGC members range in age from 13 to 85 years old. FAA requirements allow solo flight at age 14 and a license examination at age 16. PGC members come from all walks of life with the common bond being a love of aviation.
Going Solo
 PGC members enjoy a comprehensive flight training program conducted by our cadre of twelve Certified Flight Instructors. As a student progresses through the training syllabus their readiness for solo flight is determined on an individual basis. Prior to soloing a student must successfully complete the FAA written examination. The collective flight experience of PGC members provides a valuable pool of aeronautical knowledge, this allows students who fly more often and spend more time at the gliderport to progress well in their flight training.
Private Pilot Certificate
 During the post-solo experience, student pilots must take a check ride with an instructor every fifth flight and are only permitted to fly solo with an instructor present on the airfield. As proficiency builds the student pilot will begin to develop the skills and knowledge required for the Private Pilot flight examination through periodic training flights. When the student has accumulated enough solo flight time and mastered the required skills he will request a recommendation ride from an instructor. This recommendation then qualifies the student for a check ride with an FAA Examiner who will award the pilot with a Private Pilot Certificate upon successful completion.
Power Pilot Transition to Gliders
 The club welcomes power plane pilots who would like to transition to gliders. Power pilots do not have to take an FAA written examination, but are required to take a check ride with an FAA Examiner. Due to their prior flying experience, and familiarity with the principles of flight, power pilots usually progress quickly to a glider rating.
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