Glider Written Test or Private Pilot Written Test? Which one should I take first?
This question comes from John:
My 17 year old son, who last summer was working on his glider license, is now thinking about his private pilot airplane certificate. He didn’t get his glider certificate yet because he hasn’t taken the written knowledge test. Should he take the written for the glider first, or should he get his private pilot airplane and then get a glider add on?
Thanks John for your question.
My recommendation would be to go ahead have your son get his private pilot single engine AIRPLANE first before the glider. The reason? If you have a private pilot airplane certificate you DO NOT need to take the a written knowledge test for the glider add-on. However, if you have a private pilot glider certificate you will have to take an additional knowledge test for the private pilot single engine airplane. So if you get the airplane certificate first you will only need your son to study for one test, not two.
Hopefully this helps and tell your son to…
Fly Safe!
Sarah on Jun 19, 2008
Hi,
Doesn’t it depend on what kind of flying his son wants to do right now? In my humble opinion, the glider written is pretty easy.. and would be good prep. for the oral test, which is required.
instructor on Jun 19, 2008
Sarah, your right. It does depend on what kind of flying he wants to do. I’m actually a little closer to this situation so I understand what’s going on here.
He took glider lessons last year when he was 16 but his goal has always been to get his airplane SEL and eventually instrument, commercial, etc. Once he gets his ASEL, he will go back and get his glider addon.
My point was bascially, if he gets his ASEL first he’ll only have to take 1 written test instead of 2.
Thanks for the comment! I love getting comments on this site. Even if they don’t agree!
Marc on Mar 06, 2010
Hello,
Does this apply for both private pilot and recreational pilots license, that there would be no written test for a glider add on?