Hamilton Soaring Club
Students
Student Training
The Hamilton Soaring Club is proud of the significant improvements made to our student training program. We follow a structured outline provided by the Soaring Society of America, resulting in a more efficient and successful learning experience.
Our program includes ground and flight training and welcomes a wide age range of participants, from fifth graders to adults.
Student Games
Test your knowledge with Wally Games, fun interactive challenges designed to help prepare for training and improve ground knowledge.
Training Resources
Ground-school references and quick mental-math tools for students and members.
FAA Glider Certificate and Rating Requirements
These are quick planning notes for FAA glider training. Your instructor will confirm the current requirements, endorsements, and checkride preparation for your certificate or rating.
Student Pilot and Solo
Glider students may apply for a student pilot certificate at age 14 and must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English. Before solo, students need the required ground and flight training, a pre-solo knowledge review, and instructor endorsements for the aircraft and operating area.
A medical certificate is generally not required for glider student operations, but pilots still need to be fit to fly and meet instructor and club safety requirements.
Private Pilot Glider
Private glider applicants must be at least 16, meet the English-language requirement, complete the required knowledge and flight training, pass the FAA knowledge test when required, receive instructor endorsements, and pass the practical test.
If you have less than 40 hours in heavier-than-air aircraft, plan for at least 10 hours in gliders, 20 glider flights, 3 checkride-prep flights within the preceding 2 calendar months, and 2 solo hours with 10 launches and landings. Pilots with 40 or more heavier-than-air hours have a shorter glider-specific experience path.
Add-On Glider Rating
Already certificated pilots adding a glider category rating complete the applicable glider training and experience, receive an instructor endorsement, and pass the practical test. In many same-certificate-level add-on cases, an additional FAA knowledge test is not required.
The exact path depends on the certificate and ratings you already hold, so coordinate early with your instructor and examiner.
Ashleigh
Ashleigh studies at Texas A&M University and began flight training at HSC in the summer of 2023. She has earned her Private Pilot License and is now working toward her Commercial.
Cate
Cate began soaring in 2025 and quickly developed a passion for it. She is catching on fast and making excellent progress.
Quinn
Quinn began flying with our soaring club in 2021 and aspires to advance her aviation career and become a certified flight instructor.
Ethan
Ethan has been an active club member and earned his Private Pilot Glider Certificate in 2023 with help from a club-supported SSA scholarship.
Cooper
Cooper has been with the club since early 2022 and is flying like a champ. Coming from an aviation family, he has been around aircraft all his life.
Caitlyn
Caitlyn is training to earn her pilot license. She began soaring at 17 and attends McLennan Community College.
Youth Director: Wally Scott
With 64 years of soaring experience, Wally notes that support of HSC youth by the membership and community is outstanding. Scholarship funds help reduce costs, and HSC youth have participated in competitions, cross-country training camps, and strong flight training.
Shane Grieve
CFIG, CFII, MEI and Principal Cloud Security Engineer.
Taylor Long
Club member since 2016 and regional/national glider competition pilot. CPL-Glider, CFIG.
Elaine Porterfield
Club member since 2016 and ground instructor at TSTC. CSEL, CFI, CFIG, sUAS.
Vic Barber
737 Instructor/Evaluator Captain and CFII for single-engine, multi-engine airplanes, and gliders.