Hi Al As I understand it, currently, if Tom, Frank, Bob and Harry, who are all qualified glider pilots with many years experience, have a level 2 independent operators certificate, they can happily operate as you describe. I know of at least two sites that operate in this way. Also if they have an AEI rating, not difficult, they can take their passengers flying independently as well. Regards the piece of paper after the C certificate, isn't that called Silver/Gold & Diamond C, followed by 750k badge & 1000k badge?
Cheers, ROSS _____ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Al Borowski Sent: Thursday, 5 June 2008 10:47 PM To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Fw: IMPROVED GOVERNANCE & DIRECT ELECTION OF THEGFABOARD Hi Tim, May I suggest a rethink of the minimum 200 gliding hours requirement to get Level 2 independent ops? Given it is possible to get a full-blown PPL in 1/4 of that time, it seems a tad high to me. Another scenario: Tom, Frank, Bob and Harry are all qualified glider pilots with many years experience. Bob has a property where he can winch launch from. They decide to pool their money and buy a 2nd hand glider and a suitable winch. All are perfectly capable of turning up for a day, taking turns flying their glider and driving the winch. Why do they have to be members of a GFA affiliated club? They can't form their own club, because (as far as I know) each club must have at least one instructor. Being an instructor means that you must have so many instructing hours to keep current - and the group just want to fly for themselves, not worry about students. Since they don't want to be a training organization it isn't an option. If they had PPL's or RAA certificates it'd be a complete non-issue. Also, I still think there should be a bit of paper to shoot for after the C certificate. Something that says yes, this person is responsible enough to be a glider pilot. He is responsible enough to be Pilot In Command - if he buys his own glider, let him take passengers etc without instructor approval. If he does something stupid it's completley his fault; not an instructor 100km away. I honestly don't see how this would hurt, and I think it'd improve retention a lot. How many pilots would leave soon after Solo, when they almost have this certificate in their grasp? Clubs would, of course, be free to set additional restrictions on the use of their aircraft. Of course, the GFA could always do something radical and make an online questionnaire or something. Best regards, Al
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