FREE CHECKRIDE and Free Room at Marfa, west Texas

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Need to "finish" your glider rating? Know anyone at your club that is "close" to being ready for their glider checkride but having difficulty scheduling an Examiner?

First, get all of the required FAR part 61 SOLO flights logged at your home glider club. That's a MINIMUM of 10 for PVT, 20 for COM glider ratings. If you do NOT hold a FAA pilot certificate in powered aircraft take your FAA written aeronautical knowledge test then schedule your FREE checkride (and FREE room in my guest house) at Marfa in southwest Texas beginning October 1, 2015 through March 30, 2016. I fly year-round and winter is a great time for training and checkrides. Yes, we have thermals in winter.

E-mail: marfagliders at a o l dotcom
when you are ready to take some pre-checkride training at Marfa then finish your glider rating here for PVT, COM, CFI-Glider "add-on", Renewal or Reinstatement of your expired CFIG (counts as a Flight Review and for CFI's, renews all of your other CFI ratings.)

El Paso (ELP) is the nearest airline terminal. Plan a week if you can -- might be shorter but why rush it? Take some time to enjoy the scenery of our Marfa Plateau, the Davis Mountains and Big Bend National Park. Most applicants take some dual instruction with me in my new ASK-21 at Marfa before the checkride at my regular rates, unchanged since 2010. I only accept one or two qualified applicants a week so contact me soon to discuss your recent glider flying experience and my availability.

Again, you need to complete all of your SOLO flights per FAR part 61 BEFORE coming to Marfa.
If you need the "sign off" (endorsements) for your FAA Practical Test ("checkride") we can accomplish that here at Marfa.

Rusty? Already a glider rated pilot but haven't flown recently? Consider my "Rusty Glider Pilot" course to get "current" per FAR's and most important, PROFICIENT as a safe glider pilot. I'm told that I am fun to fly with and you'll learn (or re-learn) some essential glider flying skills with me in my new ASK-21. Concepts my father taught me in the sixties: Old school soaring secrets, smooth and precise flying, accuracy landings, thermaling techniques and "reading the sky."

I'll say it again . . . "Someday" is NOW! This is the fourth and possibly the final year of this offer and 56 pilots have saved money (and time) by flying with me at Marfa. Who's next?

Burt Compton, Master Flight Instructor / FAA Designated Pilot Examiner
Marfa Gliders Soaring Center in southwest Texas (site of "The Sun Ship Game" movie)
Website: www.flygliders.com

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Foreign pilots are also eligible for my free checkride offer and do not need to obtain a background check nor be fingerprinted due to a waiver from TSA / Homeland Security to earn a US FAA GLIDER pilot certificate (unlike airplane applicants.)

Thanks to the efforts of the Soaring Society of America for working to exempt glider applicants (and glider-only instructors.)

I will be flying through the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays at Marfa, west Texas.
My free checkride / free room offer ends in March 2016.

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Another CFIG in the USA! After being dormant for a few years, I reinstated the Flight Instructor Certificate of Scott of Seattle, Washington today. Spent time reviewing "what's new" in the FAA regulations along with new glider procedures and training suggestions developed by the Soaring Safety Foundation at www.soaringsafety.org

Then we made several pre-checkride orientation flights to get him back into the verbal teaching mode while aloft. Worked on "economy of words" to help his future students understand, along with the suggestions of Derek Piggott found in his book, "Gliding Safety." Great chapter for CFI's in that book. Discussed accident trends and how CFIG's must take responsibility in improving the safety culture and training syllabi at their clubs.

Among other pilot skills, I insist that CFIG's teach the six recognition signs of a stall developed by Tom Knauff, along with the use of the variometer in the landing pattern, an important tool especially when flying in the dynamic atmosphere often found in the western USA.

Demonstrated the new "Goal Oriented Approach" as an additional tool for making safe patterns and not "landing short", a common accident around the world (from flying much too far downwind in the glider pattern, airplane style.) We practiced accuracy landings to within inches of the stop point and flew simulated off-airport approaches and landings. How a CFIG can teach stall and spin recognition and recoveries, the aerodynamics of a turn and how "rudders turn boats, not aircraft." Discussed common student errors and more importantly, Common CFIG Errors! (Actually from my own development as an Instructor!)

Of course we worked on thermaling skills (how to teach, for the CFIG.) Perfect circles small radius of turn using the appropriate pitch and bank, "high wing points to the lift" strategy, reading the sky, bracketing and staying in thermals, minimum stick movement to reduce drag from "stirring the stick" and other skills to improve efficiency and get the most out of your sailplane so you can aspire to soar higher, farther and faster.

Reviewed Bob Wander's "Safer Soaring Made Easy", a collection of Bob's brilliant seminars and SSA Convention presentations, short and to the point articles in the easy-to-read Reader's Digest style. This little book is so good I give them away for free to everyone who comes to fly with me at Marfa.

So . . . any of the above seem "new" to you?
Come fly with me at Marfa and add some new tools to enhance your sailplane flying!

"Rusty Pilot" courses year-round and FREE FAA glider rating checkrides now to March 31, 2016, by appointment.

[scott thiel]

I took advantage of Burt's offer in Marfa. I am absolutely convinced that I learned more in the week I spent flying with him than I would have in years flying at my home field. Burt has over 50 years experience in the glider world and shares it willingly and effectively. I would highly recommend anyone, regardless of experience, go to Marfa to fly with Burt.

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Congratulations to Stephen B. He flew to Marfa in his L-39 jet to add Private Privileges - Glider to his Commercial Pilot Certificate with me at Marfa. (His Czech L-39 "Albatros" shares some history with the Blanik series of sailplanes.)

Visit Marfa in far southwest Texas near the Davis Mountains for your checkride by any form of transportation . . . stagecoach, horse, Piper Cub, or a rental car from El Paso, Texas, the closest airline terminal. Contact me to discuss details and available dates -- I will be flying over the December holidays and throughout the winter. Find tourist information at www.visitmarfa dot com

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Another CFIG renewal at Marfa this week. Congrats to Bill F. for completing his Practical Test ("check ride") with me in my ASK-21. Thermals to 8700'msl and excellent visibility over the Davis Mountains to the north allowed us to see the unique "bow of the boat" shape of Guadalupe Peak, 100 miles north of Marfa A fun check ride for me to conduct when I have a well-prepared applicant! (Yes, it's supposed to be fun, yet thorough.) Read your copy of the FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS) and Bob Wander's "Checkride Made Easy" booklets. Wander's "Safer Soaring" book is brilliant! Read his eye-opening article on "Sinking Airmass" and the effect on high-performance sailplanes, among other short articles in this book. Buy it (cheap) at www.bobwanderdotcom

[cliff...@gmail.com]

Hey Burt, went to the faa for the CFIG initial PTS and the latest version they have is Oct of 2006. Is that the correct one and what they are using currently?

CH Ventus B

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

On Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 1:10:27 PM UTC-6, cliff...@gmail.com wrote:
> Hey Burt, went to the faa for the CFIG initial PTS and the latest version they have is Oct of 2006. Is that the correct one and what they are using currently?
>
> CH Ventus B

Yes. 2006 is the latest.
Check for corrections and clarifications such as the "Landing on Tow / Double Release Failure" and the "Land and Stop within 100 feet of a mark." (This does not mean touch and stop within 100', it means touchdown anywhere on the runway and roll (and roll, and roll) up to within 100' of a pre-arranged mark. Within 200' of the mark for Private. The Flight Instructor Glider check ride is evaluated on how you will verbalize and demonstrate to the Examiner the maneuvers to a Commercial student.

Note that the "200' rope break and turn around" is not a criteria in any FAA PTS-Glider. An "aerotow emergency" is included but 200' AGL is not mentioned. Otherwise it's a good maneuver to demonstrate the capability of the sailplane but the PILOT must have the awareness / readiness / judgment to fly it. Training is 50%, always being ready is the other 50%. Never look over your shoulder at the runway you just departed from! The temptation is to "rudder it around" which can lead to a spin, from 200' AGL. Beliveme, the runway is still there. Just look ahead at your pitch and bank angle at the horizon, the yaw string and a quick glance at the airspeed indicator and the "trend" of your airspeed. Don't look way back over your shoulder until you are at least half-way around. Remember that the sailplane is "blind" and will respond accordingly to your control inputs not matter how high (so don't look down at the ground below when turning downwind at low altitude.) Be an "aviator", not a "groundling" as my Dad admonished me when he taught me to fly in Cubs and sailplanes. (I still have a J-3 Cub and a couple of sailplanes out here in Marfa, Texas.) Come out and learn from him, through me! Captain Fritz Compton, 1915 - 2006. More info on Dad at my website: www.flygliders.com Those old-timers really knew how to fly and read the sky. And after you read the manuals on your fancy instruments read the book "Stick and Rudder".

[Bill T]

Great comments and observations on the tow emergency. We just use 200ft as the minimum altitude for the turnaround. I'll use some of your comments as teaching points if I may.

Just had two students complete check rides in Oct. DPE designated a specific runway centerline stripe as the stop point. The stripe is 150ft long. Stop before the end of the stripe.

BillT

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

On Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 11:48:16 PM UTC-6, Bill T wrote:
I'll use some of your comments as teaching points if I may.

Yes, feel free to adapt to your airport environment.

>
> Just had two students complete check rides in Oct. DPE designated a specific runway centerline stripe as the stop point. The stripe is 150ft long. Stop before the end of the stripe.

I was asked by the FAA to clarify that for the recent amendments to the PTS. A few examiners were asking applicants to land and stop within 100 feet of the touchdown point, not roll along up to a designated stop point. Stopping in 100 feet after touchdown is possible in a 2-33 with a skid on a soft field, but you might damage most any other modern sailplane on a hard surface runway.

The FAA also modified the double release failure task (landing on tow) to "discussion only" in the PTS as some examiners were requiring this task on the checkride. Actually it's not that difficult if you practice with a good CFIG. Cindy Brickner taught me how to teach landing on tow many years ago because I wanted to learn from an expert. I draw my teaching skills from all credible sources (not necessarily on r.a.s.).

I'm flexible and even after many years as a CFI I am willing to modify my lesson plans accordingly. My sources include the books by Derek Piggott, Tom Knauff, Bob Wander, Wolf Hirth and the new procedures suggested in the Soaring Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC.) FInd (or host) a glider-specifc SSF FIRC near you at www.soaringsafety.org or attend the SSF FIRC on FEB 16-17 at the 2016 SSA Convention in Greenville, SC. Register at www.ssa.org CFIG "wannabes" are welcome to register as well. I'll learn something new at that FIRC, especially how a CFI can teach "scenario based training" (SBT) that the FAA and the SSF are promoting. See you there!

[Bill T]

The chosen "stop stripe" was about 700 ft down the runway from the threshold landing into the wind. Plenty of room, saves the 2-33 skid on pavement.

I've known DPE that pick a "touch down" point, touch within 100-150ft past the point, don't touch before the chosen point, that's a "ditch bust", then they are not concerned about failed (failing) brakes that screw the check ride or some one slamming on hydraulic brakes and skidding tires or rotating the tire on the rim and cutting the valve stem. Of course, treating an aircraft like that outside of a true emergency should be a bust anyway.

Roger on landing on tow. I have not experienced that as part of a check ride for me or my students. I did not have the opportunity to do it with Cindy. We have done them in the draggy 2-33 and it's easy. Not so easy in Grob 103, takes more finesse. A big part of the maneuver is a tow pilot that can fly smoothly, and control speed and rate of descent. And allow the glider braking to stop the tow plane, don't slow down too fast or you'll have a glider up your ......

BillT

[Paul Agnew]

For my recent Comm Glider add-on oral, we discussed a double tow failure and landing on tow per the FAA guidance, but agreed that it would be safer to just overload the weak link to break the tow line.

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Enjoyed visits this January from two northern US pilots who felt a bit rusty in their basic skills, accuracy landings and thermaling techniques. Nice to have thermals in the winter in southwest Texas and so we cleaned up the rust then endorsed their logbooks for a Flight Review.

Rusty? Haven't flown much recently? Consider my "Rusty Glider Pilot" course to get "current" per FAR's and most important, PROFICIENT as a safe glider pilot. I'm told that I am fun to fly with and you'll learn (or re-learn) some essential glider flying basics with me in my nice Schleicher ASK-21.

If glider-rated, log your ASK-21 flights with me as P.I.C. "glass time" for your club or insurance requirements.

I'll share concepts my father taught me in the sixties: Wonderful old school soaring secrets, smooth and precise stick 'n rudder skills, accuracy and crosswind landings, simple thermaling techniques and "reading the sky." In our ground school sessions we'll incorporate "Scenario Based Training", setting up "what if" situations and developing your options for a safe outcome.

e-Mail to discuss dates and details: MarfaGliders ** aoldottycom

Burt Compton, Master Flight Instructor / FAA Designated Pilot Examiner / Trustee of the Soaring Safety Foundation, the training and safety arm of the Soaring Society of America.

[IA DPE]

Burt I had a 30 hr. overnight in ELP a couple weeks ago and was going to rent a car and drive over for a day of flying but alas it was below freezing and I got our of the mood.

I plan to catch you at The Convention and plan a March or April trip perhaps.

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

On Sunday, January 17, 2016 at 9:19:08 PM UTC-6, IA DPE wrote:
> Burt I had a 30 hr. overnight in ELP a couple weeks ago and was going to rent a car and drive over for a day of flying but alas it was below freezing and I got our of the mood.
>
> I plan to catch you at The Convention and plan a March or April trip perhaps.

Hello . . . sorry but I do not recognize your handle but please contact me the next time you are in El Paso, TX.

I have some tentative travel planned this spring conducting Site Surveys of clubs for the Soaring Safety Foundation (SSF). My travel calendar is on my website, flyglidersdottyc*m
No glider flyin' when I am not here in Marfa, TX.

Good thermal soaring here this January. Doing a lot of training and free checkrides for the snowbirds who were ready to finish their training and earn PVT, COM and CFIG (add-on) glider ratings.

I fly year-round, by appointment, when I am not traveling.

Yes, I will be in the Soaring Safety Foundation booth at the SSA Convention in Greenville (SC) FEB 17-20. Don't miss our SSF seminar on Wednesday FEB 17 at 6 PM in the SSA Convention host hotel Hilton Greenville in the Anderson ballroom. Free and earn FAA WINGS credit.

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Congratulations to Charles D. of Huntsville, Alabama. Passed his "free" Private Pilot-Glider checkride with me at Marfa, Texas. He is a "rocket scientist" developing the avionics on the huge rocket (bigger than the Saturn V for the Apollo missions) that will boost heavy payloads past the Moon and beyond to Mars. Many interesting people in soaring!

I plan to meet more interesting soaring folk at our SSA Convention FEB 17-20 in Greenville, SC.

Come to our Soaring Safety Foundation Training and Safety Seminar on Wednesday (FEB 17) at 6:00 PM in the HIlton - Anderson ballroom. Free and counts for FAA "Wings" credit. Then find me and the other Trustees of the SSF in the Soaring Safety Foundation booth just inside the entrance to the TD convention hall the rest of the week.

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Offer extended to May 1 due to demand for my "Rusty Pilot" course and the free checkrides.
Just don't wait to the last minute to qualify!

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Enjoyed sharing knowledge and skills with J.K. of Seattle who flew with me at Marfa this past week in my Schleicher ASK-21 sailplane.

My "Rusty Pilot" course sharpens thermaling skills, reading the sky, accuracy landings, plus a review of checkride maneuvers usually not practiced since your last checkride such as (large loop) slack rope recoveries, stall recognition and recoveries, steep spiral recoveries, slips to landing without airbrakes, benign spiral mode, low tow for XC towing including descent on tow or whatever you want to practice. YOU TELL ME what you want to work on and we'll have fun at the same time. No hollerin', no cussin'.

Groundschool discussions (not lectures) and pre-flight and post-flight debriefings on my picnic tables are included.

Contact me to discuss your needs, my availability and rates. Ready to serve you and share my family soaring secrets.

For accommodations and activities around the Marfa / Alpine / Fort Davis / Davis Mountains / Big Bend National Park area of southwest Texas go to www.visitmarfa.com

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Another Commercial Pilot in our US Glider community! Stephen L. of New Mexico passed his checkride with me yesterday at Marfa in southwest Texas. He owns a Schweizer 1-26 sailplane and a Xenos motor glider and enjoyed flying "glass" in my Schleicher ASK-21. Now he's considering a glass ship so I suggested that he might fit nicely into a Libelle, one of the beautiful early glass sailplanes (like my 1968 Open Cirrus.) Sailplanes of the sixties and early seventies had distinctive profiles and were easy to spot for me, the kid on the gliderport or when I was crewing at the regional and national contests (back when every pilot brought a crew!)

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

One more Commercial Glider Pilot in the USA!
Lance P. of Houston drove out to Marfa and the scenic mountains of west Texas to take his FREE checkride with me last week. Super well-prepared (the oral portion of any FAA checkride can often be the toughest segment) and his flying was spot-on per the FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS.) Congrats also to the instructors at his home club for his excellent preparation. Now he'll fly his Discus and the club towplane this summer but has hinted at becoming a CFIG. (So, I'll see you next winter?)

Who's next to enjoy the mountain scenery and finish up a glider rating at Marfa?
"Someday is NOW."
See www.visitmarfa.com
and my website:
www.flygliders.com

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Two glider-rated pilots visited me at Marfa last week for my "Rusty Pilot" course. Based on the types of sailplanes they would be flying back at their soaring clubs we reviewed the respective flight manuals (I had asked them to bring a copy) and focused on what we agreed were the weaker aspects in their flying skills. Brought them up to date with contemporary procedures, signals, FAA reg's (part 91) speed to fly and thermaling techniques. SImple, fun and productive. Yes, it can count as a Flight Review (and stop calling it a "Biannual" - that's every six months!)

[Bob Pasker]

are you able to do initial CFI-G checkrides?

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

On Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 8:22:27 AM UTC-5, Bob Pasker wrote:
> are you able to do initial CFI-G checkrides?
>

Short answer No. Long answer and explanation: Because our Lubbock, Texas FSDO has a glider-rated, current and very proficient (by flying with me at Marfa once every quarter of the year) FAA Inspector / Examiner who can accomplish the initial Flight Instructor Practical Test / "checkride." The nationwide FAA policy is to attempt to conduct all initial Flight Instructor tests with the FAA Inspectors. I understand that this policy was a result many years ago of too many airplane training accidents with low-time CFI's on board in Florida, a very active airplane training state. The FAA reasoned that initial instructor applicants would benefit from a checkride with an FAA Inspector.

A few FAA Designated Pilot Examiners (DPE's) are given the authority to give initial tests, usually by a single request, per applicant letter of authority which can be difficult to obtain depending on the FSDO. The CFIG applicant needs to request the Practical Test from the appropriate FSDO (Flight Standards District Office.) The FAA's own "guidance" document requires a timely response and a Practical Test to be scheduled within a relatively short period of time after the request. Again, this may depend of the FAA Region or District policy.

My opinion: The policy of using some FAA Inspectors with perhaps a lower proficiency level in gliders is unfortunate because I would enjoy testing initial instructors as, like many other full-time "professional" glider flight instructors, I / we have much to share including recency of experience, our continued learning (through the Soaring Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Courses, training articles in SOARING magazine plus the www.soaringsafety.org website) and in my case, my own open-minded adaptation to new and often simpler procedures that may reduce accidents.

So to the question, I am currently authorized to conduct Flight Instructor additional category glider ratings (to an Airplane CFI for example) along with 24 month recurrent or expired CFI (Glider) reinstatement Practical Tests at Marfa, Texas or within the rather large Lubbock FSDO area which includes Hobbs, New Mexico, Odessa and Littlefield, Texas.

[Bob Pasker]

Thanks for the clarification. If candidates train for weeks or months with you (and take the 1-day checkride with the FAA), shouldn't they get all the benefit of your experience? --bob

[Bill T]

That's great when there is an FAA Glider Rated examiner available. Not so much in my FSDO area. And no glider DPE in Las Vegas, we have to transport one in from Reno area. BillT

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

On Friday, April 8, 2016 at 11:32:40 AM UTC-5, Bob Pasker wrote:
> Thanks for the clarification. If candidates train for weeks or months with you (and take the 1-day checkride with the FAA), shouldn't they get all the benefit of your experience? --bob
>
>

Yes, at my regular rates, unchanged since 2010. To discuss details and dates, contact me by e-mail: marfagliders a t amerika on lime Please no texts, no calls. Website: flyglidersdotcomm

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Another not-so-rusty glider pilot departs Marfa with new knowledge and enhanced skills! Rich W. of Iowa holds a Commercial rating in Gliders and is a CFI in Airplanes, now considering adding the Glider category rating to his Flight Instructor certificate.

My Rusty Pilot course runs year-round. My Free Checkrides offer expires in June before I drive my Schleicher ASK-13 in trailer across America to the International Vintage Sailplane Meet (IVSM) on historic Harris Hill, near Elmira, NY, July 8 - 16. More info at www.soaringmuseum.org and www.vintagesailplane.org

IVSM is always fun, especially launching by aerotow off Harris Hill Gliderport with the sudden drop off of terrain to the Chemung River Valley below. Watch dozens of colorful classic and vintage sailplanes and the colorful characters that restore and fly them! (Wood and fabric sailplanes smell wonderful.)

Harris Hill is also the site of our National Soaring Museum -- newly expanded and the archive of the Soaring Society of America.

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Renew your Flight Instructor Certificates like Cade W. did yesterday at Marfa (for free.) I can renew, or reinstate your expired certificate if you hold the Glider category rating on it. A few more applicants are en route to Marfa before I wrap it up for the summer so I can fly my Open Cirrus here in southwest Texas and my restored "open cockpit" ASK-13 at the International Vintage Sailplane Meet (IVSM) on Harris Hill near Elmira, NY in early July. Catch me if you can . . . I'll probably be at the top of the thermal. I'm happy to share knowledge and skills with you anytime of year.

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Today I accomplished the Bronze Badge training requirements for CFIG Brian S. from Illinois. Now he can apply to be a SSA Instructor in order to administer the ABC and Bronze Badge program at his soaring club. We also reviewed the FAR's regarding flight reviews, endorsements, pilot certificate applications using IACRA (or not), thermaling techniques and accuracy landings.

Speaking of endorsements, the new SSA / SSF Glider Pilot Logbook from SSA merchandise at www.ssa.org has been updated with pre-printed endorsements that have been reviewed and updated by the Soaring Safety Foundation (SSF). For example the mandatory aerotow launch endorsement before solo is now a stand-alone block of text instead of buried in the student solo endorsement. Specific references to FAR's in part 61 that list the required ground and flight training have also been updated making it easier for a CFIG to make the proper logbook endorsements which makes the FAA Examiner happy.

I'm a FAA Designated Pilot Examiner so applicants (and their CFIG's) should try to make me happy!

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Two more brand new glider flight instructors enjoyed flying and passing their checkrides at Marfa this week. Next week, two CFIG reinstatement checkrides are scheduled. Then on June 30 I'm trailering my classic "open cockpit" ASK-13 sailplane across America to Elmira, NY, for the International Vintage Sailplane Meet on historic Harris Hill, site of our National Soaring Museum, July 8 - 16. Details about the wonderful IVSM event (only held every 4 years) are at www.soaringmuseum.org

Watch for my announcement of free checkrides in fall / winter 2016 - 2017 at Marfa. Note that you must have all of MINIMUM required solo flights logged at your home soaring club before coming to fly with me in my nice ASK-21 sailplane, so get those solos logged this summer. If you study my recommended Soaring Safety Foundation videos and the suggested texts in advance and then train beyond the FAA "minimums" your chance of success on your checkride greatly increases! (Obviously, but a few applicants show up under-prepared expecting to "drink from the fire hose.")

I might retire after next summer from the Designated Pilot Examiner gig so I can fly my collection of sailplanes at Marfa, therefore, if you are ready to finish your FAA glider category rating, "someday" is NOW!

Burton Compton, my Facebook name for photos of my flying' fun.

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Two Flight Instructors "Reinstated" at Marfa this week. More than 50% of the checkrides I conduct are for CFI add-ons, 24 month renewals or expired CFI reinstatements. I enjoy instructing instructors. Most need to be brought up to speed on the actual requirements before endorsing a student or a transition pilot for solo, along with teaching the tasks found in the FAA Practical Test Standards, because that is how the Examiner must conduct the test.

In addition, I like passing along "proficiency skills" from my Dad and Derek Piggott, among others. Lots of good ideas or old-school techniques that far exceed the minimum training found in the not-quite-perfect FAA Glider Flying Handbook. Study it anyway because that's where many of the written test questions will come from along with the oral questions you'll need to answer on your checkride. (The flying part of the checkride is certainly more enjoyable!)

Off to Harris Hill near Elmira, NY, next week with my restored Schleicher ASK-13 to give rides at the International Vintage Sailplane Meet (IVSM) July 8 - 16. More info at www.soaringmuseum.org

On Facebook, go to Burton Compton, my Facebook name for many photos of my flyin' fun.

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

The FAA has extended my authorization as a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) for Glider PVT, COM and CFI-Glider add-on, CFIG renewals or reinstatements.

Before coming to Marfa in southwest Texas for your checkride (and some orientation flights) log all of your minimum solos per FAR part 61 now before winter arrives at your home gliderport. Then get down to Marfa (via airline to El Paso, Texas) and FINISH your glider rating this winter of 2016 - 2017.

My "Rusty Pilot", accuracy landings and themaling techniques courses are also available. Rates are unchanged since 2010.

On Facebook, go to Burton Compton, my Facebook name for many photos of my year-round flyin' fun.
For info on the mountain scenery and activities around Marfa and the Big Bend of Texas go to www.visitmarfa.com

"Someday is NOW!"

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Now through spring 2017, filling up the slots for free checkrides at Marfa in southwest Texas.

E-mail me with your questions. Answers cheerfully supplied.

Marfagliders ?? aol

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Two more Glider Flight Instructors passed their CFIG checkrides with me yesterday at Marfa, Texas.
Who's next? Contact me to discuss details and dates for FREE checkrides this winter.

[Mike the Strike]

> >
> > E-mail me with your questions. Answers cheerfully supplied.
> >
> > Marfagliders ?? aol

Burt:

I sent you an e-mail a week ago - I'll be in Marfa in December and would like to visit. Perhaps check your SPAM folder?

Mike

[Waveguru]

Burt does a great job training and teaching safety at his operation. Great line crew and tow pilot too. I am now a CFIG again! Go get your rating with Burt or come out to Phoenix and do some fall and winter soaring.

Boggs
www.nwskysports.com
Gbogg...@gmail.com

[Waveguru]

The tow rope is a little short tho.... ;^)

Boggs
www.nwskysports.com
Gbogg...@gmail.com

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

On Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at 11:11:53 AM UTC-5, Waveguru wrote:
> The tow rope is a little short tho.... ;^)

Yes, I'm US "standard" (whatever that means) at 205-210 feet. I agree that longer tow ropes are "easier."
I fly most every year in Germany (I gave 44 checkrides for the FAA for German pilots over there a few years ago) and wow, they aerotow with really short ropes, often behind motor gliders and even LSA type towplanes. Made for some interesting boxing of the wake with the German applicants for their FAA glider ratings.

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Just had a cancellation for a FREE glider rating checkride with me at Marfa, Texas, DEC 16 - 22. So if you are snowed in up north then come on down to southwest Texas and let's get it done! A few other days are available through January and early February.
"Someday is NOW!"

[Dan Marotta]

Burt,

Are you getting thermals down there?

On 12/3/2016 5:34 PM, Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas wrote:
> Just had a cancellation for a FREE glider rating checkride with me at Marfa, Texas, DEC 16 - 22. So if you are snowed in up north then come on down to southwest Texas and let's get it done! A few other days are available through January and early February.
> "Someday is NOW!"

--
Dan, 5J

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Windows of opportunity to FINISH your glider rating at Marfa, Texas:
I'm available for your prep flights and free PVT, COM checkrides JAN 8 - 22, 2017 and FEB 1 - 9, 2017.
(Ask me about spring dates in March-April-May.)

Initial CFI's: I'm now authorized to conduct Flight instructor - Glider Initial, as well as 24 month (or sooner) CFI Renewal and Reinstatement Practical Tests ("checkrides".)

Enjoy a "Rusty Pilot" course. I'm fun to fly with and YOU choose the areas of skill and knowledge that you would like to refresh. Topics may include efficient flying, reading the sky, thermaling techniques, accuracy landings and emergency options.

Towpilot initial endorsements (or your 24 month recurrent towpilot endorsement per FAR 61.69) available in my Cessna towplane.

All of the above can qualify as your FAR 61.56 Flight Review (formerly called a Biennial or BFR.)

E-mail marfagliders at Alpha Oscar Lima dotty Charlie Oscar Mike or call Burt at 800-667-WING to discuss details and dates. "Someday" is NOW!

[Duster]

Don't tell Burt, but if you do get a checkride or FR with him, make sure you practice your turning slips! shhhhhhh....

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

On Friday, December 23, 2016 at 1:57:58 PM UTC-6, Duster wrote:
> Don't tell Burt, but if you do get a checkride or FR with him, make sure you practice your turning slips! shhhhhhh....

This PTS maneuver is demonstrated so if you ever have an airbrake / spoiler failure you can fly a pattern in a continuous slip (as needed) around to the final approach. On the checkride, the applicant is permitted to open airbrakes or spoilers on short final when the Examiner (me) believes that the maneuver would have resulted in a reasonable length landing and rollout. Marfa (KMRF) has 5,300' and 6,200' long runways. Field elevation is about 5,000' MSL.

If you want some dual practice on the maneuvers in my ASK-21 before a checkride with me at Marfa, Texas, that is certainly doable.

A recent video produced by the Soaring Safety Foundation demonstrates the FAA Practical Test Standards required slips and turning slips (filmed with my ASK-21 at Marfa.) The SSF also has produced the boxing the wake and slack rope recovery checkride videos (with more to come.) You can link to these short Practical Test videos at www.soaringsafety.org or e-mail me for the link: marfagliders at Alpha Oscar Lima dotty Charlie Oscar Mike.

These SSF videos help you visualize the maneuvers when prepping for the checkride and also list "common student errors." Helpful for CFIG's to refer to as well.

Hint. A turning slip is basically a normal slip with a bit of aileron added in to allow the sailplane to turn. You are looking for a sink rate of about 5 knots down on your vario in the pattern as if you had airbrakes or spoilers deployed. Glancing at the vario TREND is very handy in the pattern and not just for thermaling. "Glancing" - please!

Note that some airspeed indicators will read "low" due to the offset of dynamic pressure on the pitot tube. Just don't let the nose drop too low while slipping (adds unwanted speed when you come out of the slip.) Yes, you are allowed to come out of the slip for a bit if getting too low in the pattern or seeing more than 5 knots down as you encounter sink in the pattern. It's not that difficult. Come out to Marfa and I'll show you. I've got a lot of "airmanship" techniques to share and I'm fun to fly with I'm told, at least my dog enjoyed flying with me!

[markm...@gmail.com]

"and I'm fun to fly with I'm told, at least my dog enjoyed flying with me!"

Yeah, but I bet your dog was expecting a chewy treat after landing. What do you do for your students? :-)

[Duster]

Likely so......I flew with him and his dog once in the towplane. Burt gave the dog a seat while I had to lay on the floor (..not). And don't even think about bringing one of those buttoned baseball caps. He'll end up taking a hammer to the button........while you're trying to perform a slip-only precision landing! Alright, maybe he's not that bad. On the plus side, he is a rare "Master" CFIG, and you will get some good learnin'.

Merry Christmas
Mike

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Happy New Year! 2017 is gonna be terrific (I've got plans!)

Looking back on 2016, I gave 17 free checkrides at Marfa in my ASK-21, trailered my restored ASK-13 "Cabriolet"with the convertible canopy to the International Vintage Sailplane Meet on Harris Hill near Elmira, NY (site of our National Soaring Museum) where I shared the open cockpit flying experience with 33 passenger-pilots of all ages.

If you've read down this far . . . "sharing" is an essential aspect of growing soaring, then watching for and encouraging (by deed) anyone who is motivated to learn to fly or wants to return to flying, whether they can pay you, or not. "Mentoring" comes next in the process.

I resolve to "share" more in 2017, which may be bad for my bottom line so I may not be in the soaring business for much longer, by my choice. This is why I shout "someday" is NOW! After 50+ years in aviation I still have my passion for flying and much knowledge to share with you. So make plans to finish your glider rating or take a fun "Rusty Pilot" refresher course with me . . . soon.

Keywords in this post: "Share" and "Fun". Kinda applies to life, doesn't it?

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Another "Rusty Pilot" took my course and is now proficient and efficient in his soaring skills.
"Efficient" in getting the most performance out of any sailplane, be it a vintage sailplane or a glass slipper.

It starts with smooth coordinated flight, not jiggling the stick (creates drag), understanding "Speed to Fly" and eyes out of the sailplane 99% of the time to "read" the sky and observe the subtle clues to the location of lift (and sink!) If you do not have an audio vario in your club sailplanes, install and get your eyes outside!
Online sailplane supply vendors have a variety of these essential instruments along with installation advice.

3 check rides booked with me at Marfa, Texas, over the first 10 days in February.
Foreign "segelflug" pilots coming to me for US pilot certificate checkrides later this spring.
Who's Next? (A great record album by The Who, circa 1972.)

"Burton Compton" on Facebook, for your amusement.

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Congrats to Jim M. of Washington state who passed his FREE Private Glider checkride (added to his Private ASEL certificate) with me in my ASK-21 at Marfa, Texas. Now he is staying another 4 days for dual with me on reading the sky, thermaling techniques, accuracy landings, etc.

Open year round, as are all of the "Sun Belt" soaring sites in the lower USA, so stop talking about the beginning or end of the soaring "season." Indeed, the very best soaring in my former home state of Florida is in the winter. So shovel your driveway and come on down, south of the 40th parallel.

[Burt Compton - Marfa Gliders, west Texas]

Need to clarify that the "free room" formerly advertised for my guest cottage next to my home in Marfa is no longer free but it is easily half the price of a local Marfa hotel room at the Hotel Saint George or the Hotel Paisano and only three miles from town to the Marfa Airport. So free checkride means no examiner fee, no glider rental fee and no tow fee, a savings of about $600. Offer is good from October through March. Or maybe April. My regular rates apply (unchanged since 2010) for review and pre-checkride familiarization flights in my ASK-21.