Commercial Pilot Glider, Syllabus
Training reference outline for the Commercial Pilot, Glider Category practical test. Keyed to FAA-S-8081-23A.
Eligibility check (§§61.39, 61.123, 61.129(f))
- 18+, reads/speaks/writes English (FAA AELS, AC 60-28)
- Holds at least a private pilot certificate
- Commercial Pilot Glider knowledge test passed (current AKTR)
- 25 hours pilot time in heavier-than-air aircraft (or alternative path per §61.129(f))
- 100 total flights as PIC in a glider or 200 total flights and 20 hours in a glider
- 3 hours flight training in a glider with an authorized instructor in the previous 60 days, ending no earlier than the day of the practical (§61.39)
- 3 solo flights in a glider preparing for the practical, in the previous 60 days
- Practical-test recommendation endorsement from an authorized CFI (§61.39, §61.127)
Special Emphasis Areas (evaluated across the test)
- Positive aircraft control
- Positive exchange of flight controls
- Stall and spin awareness
- Collision avoidance / visual scanning
- Wake turbulence and low-level windshear avoidance
- Runway incursion avoidance
- CFIT
- ADM and risk management (CRM/SRM)
- Checklist usage
- Spatial disorientation
- TFR / SUA
- Wire-strike avoidance
I.Preflight Preparation G(at least one Task)
Refs: 14 CFR parts 43, 61, 91; FAA-H-8083-13; FAA-H-8083-28; AIM; Glider Flight Manual; NOTAM.
Obj: pilot certificate privileges + limitations; medical fitness; airworthiness + registration; glider flight manual; maintenance/inspection requirements + records.
Std: demonstrates aeronautical knowledge.
Obj: required airworthiness items; AD compliance; method to determine glider is in airworthy condition.
Std: demonstrates aeronautical knowledge.
Obj: sources; reports/forecasts/charts; PIREPs/SIGMETs/AIRMETs; soaring weather (lapse, instability, thermal index, fronts, breezes, orographic, mountain waves); go/no-go.
Std: demonstrates aeronautical knowledge.
Obj: magnetic compass · yaw string / inclinometer · airspeed + altimeter · variometer + total-energy · gyros · electrical · gear + brakes · avionics · oxygen.
Std: demonstrates aeronautical knowledge.
Obj: W&B determination; performance charts; density altitude + wind effects; performance airspeeds; airspeed toload-factor relationship; water-ballast purpose; limitations vs required performance.
Std: demonstrates aeronautical knowledge.
Obj: hypoxia · hyperventilation · middle ear/sinus · spatial disorientation · motion sickness · alcohol + drugs · dehydration · CO (self-launch) · evolved gas (scuba) · stress + fatigue · visual illusions.
Std: demonstrates aeronautical knowledge.
II.Preflight Procedures F(at least one Task)
Refs: FAA-H-8083-13; Glider Flight Manual.
Obj: assembly area + crew; checklist use; component handling; clean + lubricate; positive control check.
Std: assembles glider safely + verifies airworthiness for flight.
Obj: proper handling equipment; crew positioning; control + canopy securing; placards; route + speed + obstruction awareness.
Std: moves glider safely without damage to it or surroundings.
Obj: systematic walk-around per checklist; structural + control + ballast + towline + release inspection; oxygen system if applicable.
Std: identifies all required items; recognizes a discrepancy that affects airworthiness.
Obj: arrange + secure essentials; adjust safety belts, harness, pedals, seats, parachutes; brief occupants on emergencies + restraints.
Std: properly secures cockpit + briefs occupants.
Obj: pre-launch · launch · airborne · emergency signals, purpose + correct response.
Std: uses correct signal in each phase. Emergency portion may be evaluated orally.
III.Airport and Gliderport Operations F(at least one Task)
Refs: AIM; AC 90-66; FAA-H-8083-13, -25.
Obj: frequency selection; AIM phraseology; ATC clearances; comm-failure procedures; light-signal interpretation.
Std: demonstrates correct phraseology + complies with ATC instructions.
Obj: standard glider pattern entries; awareness of co-existing patterns; pre-landing checklist; airspeed + wind-drift; touchdown/stop-point selection; lift/sink/windshear corrections; flap/spoiler/brake planning.
Std: turn to final at bank ≤ 45°; flies a coordinated, properly-spaced pattern.
Obj: identify + interpret signs/markings/lighting + comply.
Std: demonstrates aeronautical knowledge; complies during operations.
IV.Launches and Landings F
Refs: FAA-H-8083-13; Glider Flight Manual. Examiner picks launch type per applicant qualifications and selects at least one Task per launch group + at least one landing.
Aero tow
Obj: reasons for each item; agreed signals/speeds/wind/emergencies with crew; correct hitch; towline + release check; checklist.
Std: demonstrates safe operating condition + correct emergency briefing.
Obj: glider config + position; pre-launch + launch signals; directional control; crosswind technique; lift-off attitude + alignment with towplane; climbout.
Std: lifts off at appropriate airspeed; maintains alignment with towplane; manages crosswind.
Obj: high-tow + low-tow recognition + technique; transitions through the wake; turns on tow; over-/under-control.
Std: maintains correct vertical + lateral position; transitions cleanly between high and low tow.
Obj: situations producing slack; hazards; correction techniques.
Std: recognises slack and applies immediate, positive, and smooth corrective action.
Obj: rectangular pattern just outside the wake; coordinated control; taut towline.
Std: performs box maneuver smoothly with positive control.
Obj: release with normal towline tension; clear of other aircraft; clearing turn; immediate-release situations.
Std: maintains high-tow position with normal tension; clears area; releases + confirms release; level or climbing turn.
Obj: response to towplane power loss on takeoff; towline break; towplane power failure at altitude; release failure (glider, both); canopy opening in flight.
Std: demonstrates correct response to scenarios as required by examiner.
Ground tow (auto or winch)
Obj: same logic as A above; appropriate hitch for ground tow.
Std: demonstrates safe operating condition + emergency briefing.
Obj: launch airspeed; signals; directional control; crosswind; pitch + groundtrack on climb; airspeed + porpoising correction; release.
Std: lifts off at proper airspeed; establishes proper initial climb pitch; takes prompt action for high/low/porpoising; releases properly.
Obj: overrunning the towline; towline break; release failure; over-/under-speeding; porpoising; canopy opening.
Std: demonstrates correct response as required by examiner.
Self-launch
Obj: checklist; safety precautions; atmospheric effects; clearance; control of glider during start.
Std: accomplishes recommended starting procedure safely.
Obj: brake check; markings/signals/clearances; speed + direction; control positioning for wind; avoiding hazards.
Std: taxis safely without excessive use of brakes; avoids other aircraft + obstacles.
Obj: position; engine temps + pressures; airworthiness; review V-speeds + emergency procedures; checklist.
Std: ensures glider is in safe operating condition.
Obj: alignment; initial controls; power; directional control; crosswind technique; lift-off + climb attitude; airspeed; track on climb; checklist.
Std: rotates at recommended airspeed and accelerates to climb speed ±5 kt; maintains takeoff power to safe maneuvering altitude then sets climb power.
Obj: mfr power for cooling; appropriate airspeed; electrical setup; shutdown; feather/position/stow; static source.
Std: sets power for cooling; establishes appropriate airspeed; shuts down per mfr procedure.
Obj: partial/complete power failure or no-restart; smoke/fire; electrical malfunction; low fuel/oil pressure; overheat; canopy opening; engine restart.
Std: demonstrates correct response as required by examiner.
Landings (at least one Task)
Obj: obstacles/hazards; wind estimation; glidepath at recommended airspeed; flap/spoiler/brake use; coordinated controls + trim; crosswind technique; roundout + touchdown; directional control after touchdown.
Std: approach airspeed ±5 kt; touches down smoothly within designated area, no appreciable drift, axis aligned, stops short of and within 100 ft of designated point.
Obj: forward / side / turning slips with + without drag devices; obstacles + hazards; airspeed indication errors; control + crosswind technique; transition from slip to touchdown.
Std: establishes a slip without drag devices; maintains desired ground track + approach attitude; smooth recovery; touches down within designated area.
Obj: max wind for downwind; final-approach length vs normal; glidepath + airspeed; drag-device use; wind correction; roundout + touchdown.
Std: approach airspeed ±5 kt; uses proper downwind procedures; smooth roundout + touchdown; controlled rollout.
V.Performance Speeds F(at least one Task)
Refs: FAA-H-8083-13; Glider Flight Manual.
Obj: aerodynamic factors + use; establishment + maintenance.
Std: determines speed for situation; maintains ±5 kt.
Obj: factors driving speed-to-fly; use; establishment + maintenance.
Std: determines speed for situation; maintains ±5 kt.
VI.Soaring Techniques G/F(at least one Task; F if conditions permit)
Refs: FAA-H-8083-13; AC 00-6.
Obj: thermal recognition + entry; structure analysis + turn direction; coordinated control + planning to remain in lift; ground/wind/traffic orientation; airspeed in + between thermals; re-entry technique.
Std: recognizes thermal indications; maintains coordinated control to stay in lift; maintains proper airspeeds in and between thermals.
Obj: orographic-lift terrain + wind; height estimation; safe terrain distance; entry into lift; ridge approach + crossing; gliding distance to landable area; weather changes.
Std: enters area of lift properly; maintains safe distance from terrain; remains within glide of an acceptable landing area.
Obj: terrain + wx producing wave; entry; rotor + wave turbulence recognition; airspeeds; ATC coordination; high-altitude equipment + training.
Std: locates and enters area of lift; recognizes + avoids extreme turbulence; coordinates with ATC as appropriate.
VII.Performance Maneuvers F(at least one Task)
Ref: FAA-H-8083-13.
Obj: pitch + airspeed; ground track to landmark; flap/spoiler/brake effect; smooth coordinated controls; trim.
Std: tracks toward prominent landmark; maintains heading ±10°, airspeed ±5 kt.
Obj: pitch + bank + airspeed relationship; roll-in + roll-out; lift/drag/load-factor changes; adverse yaw.
Std: maintains airspeed ±5 kt; rolls out on specified heading ±10°.
Obj: bank toload-factor tostall-speed relationship; overbanking tendency; entry airspeed; coordinated controls; entry + roll-out.
Std: 720° turn, bank 45°/±5°, airspeed ±5 kt, roll out on entry heading ±10°.
VIII.Navigation G(oral only)
Refs: FAA-H-8083-13, -25; AIM; AC 61-134; 14 CFR part 91.
Obj: chart selection + use; course plotting + checkpoints; flight profile + go-ahead-point altitudes; lift sources + speeds within and between lift; landing-area selection; ATC coordination; for self-launch, fuel + range + engine factors.
Std: demonstrates aeronautical knowledge.
Obj: basic VFR weather minimums; airspace classes (A, B, C, D, E, G), dimensions, certification, equipment; SUA + other special airspace.
Std: demonstrates aeronautical knowledge.
IX.Slow Flight and Stalls F(at least one Task)
Refs: FAA-H-8083-13; AC 61-67; Glider Flight Manual.
Obj: establish + maintain target airspeed; configurations specified by examiner; airspeed in turbulence + with bank; smooth coordinated controls; raising lowered wing; recovery to desired airspeed.
Std: straight: heading ±10°. Turns: desired bank ±5°.
Obj: stall aerodynamics; weight, CG, load factor, drag-device, bank effects; situations for unintentional stalls; first-indication recognition; entry; coordinated controls; recovery.
Std: entry altitude allows recovery no lower than 1,500 ft AGL; turning stalls at bank 15°/±5°; recovers at first buffet or rapid control-effectiveness decay.
X.Emergency Operations F(at least one Task)
Refs: FAA-H-8083-13; Glider Flight Manual.
Obj: suitable landing-area selection; obstacles/hazards; wind estimation; approach planning + execution without altimeter; under-/overshoot compensation.
Std: performs simulated off-airport landing without use of an altimeter.
Obj: location in glider; method of operation/use; servicing + storage; parachute inspection + fitting; gear for various climates + terrain.
Std: demonstrates aeronautical knowledge.
XI.Postflight Procedures F
Refs: FAA-H-8083-13; Glider Flight Manual.
Obj: clear runway; taxi + engine shutdown if applicable; parking selection considering wind + safety; servicing; securing; postflight inspection; checklist.
Std: properly secures glider; performs satisfactory postflight inspection.
Pre-checkride checklist (reference)
- All required Tasks covered (one minimum per Area; one per launch group + one landing in IV)
- Mock oral conducted
- Mock flight
- All endorsements current and consistent (AC 61-65)
- IACRA application reviewed
- Applicant's PTS checklist complete (aircraft docs, maintenance records, POH, charts, plotter, AIM, photo ID, pilot certificate, AKTR, logbook with endorsements, FAA Form 8710-1)
Logbook endorsements to write
The FAA-recognised practical-test recommendation is a logbook entry in ink, signed by the CFI with their certificate number and expiration date. Reference language is from AC 61-65 Appendix A, confirm against the current revision before signing.
"I certify that [student name], holder of pilot certificate [cert number], has received the required training in accordance with §§61.127 and 61.129. I have determined that [he/she] is prepared for the Commercial Pilot, Glider practical test."
"I certify that [student name], holder of pilot certificate [cert number], has received the additional training as required by §61.49. I have determined that [he/she] is proficient to pass the Commercial Pilot, Glider knowledge test."
Only required if the Commercial Pilot Glider knowledge test was failed and is being retaken.
AKTR, photo ID, pilot certificate, FAA Form 8710-1 (or IACRA equivalent), and logbook with all endorsements must be on hand at the practical test.