Gliding Australia Documents

Trainer Guides are a resource for trainers who are delivering the GPC units.

Combines the Trainer Guides for the first 26 units, through to Solo. 

Scroll through to the unit you are seeking.

Individual units can be accessed  for printing and review below

Trainer Guides are a resource for trainers who are delivering the GPC units.

Combines the Trainer Guides for units 27-44, through to completion of the GPC. 

Scroll through to the unit you are seeking.

Individual units can be accessed  for printing and review below

To ensure that the pilot has completed all the pre-requisites for the application for a GFA Glider Pilot Certificate.

To advise the pilot when operating independently on:

their rights and responsibilities.

areas to consider when planning flights.

To develop the skills and knowledge required for assessment and examination by an authorised Daily Inspector (DI) Examiner:

To perform a daily inspection on a glider;

Including elements of pilot maintenance within approved limits, and;

Correctly complete the DI Certificate.

To evaluate the student’s capability to combine the GPC competencies to safely plan and achieve cross country flight in thermals.

To develop the student’s skills and ingrained habits in selecting a path through the air that improves achieved glide performance; selecting and maintaining an appropriate speed to fly; using height bands to manage risk in terms of locating the next thermal; and choosing which thermals to accept

To develop the student’s knowledge and skill in the use of modern flight computers without degrading their lookout and situational awareness.

The focus is on moving map flight computers, including personal devices such as the Oudie and mobile phones.

The pilot should become familiar with the operation of the devices they will use and apply the concepts outlined in this unit.

To develop the student’s knowledge and skills in determining the suitability of the forecast weather for cross country flight and in setting an appropriate task for the expected conditions.

To ensure that a glider pilot with passenger carrying endorsement:

·         Knows their responsibilities regarding the safety of another person.

·         Knows the rules regarding the carriage of passengers.

·         Knows how to conduct an effective safety briefing for the passenger.

·         Knows how to conduct pre-flight checks with the passenger.

·         Is capable of putting the passenger at ease.

·         Knows what to do if the passenger is unwell or emotional before or during the flight.

To develop the skills and knowledge to operate in uncontrolled airspace, complying with “Rules of the Air” Regulations, Radio procedures, Altimetry, Flight planning, Search and Rescue requirements, as well as basic navigation skills without use of electronic navigation aids.

To develop and demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to safely fly a self-launching glider through a normal climb and engine shut down to transition to soaring pilot.

Use of appropriate launch pattern.

Engine management

To develop and demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to safely fly an aerotow launch in the correct low tow position after transitioning from the initial climb, and then release from aerotow. 

Note that this aligns with the normal training sequence and risk profile for these units. Upper air aspects of launch are taught first, then ground roll and take-off, then crosswind conditions and emergencies.

To ensure that the student

·         Can fly accurately and confidently close to the stall;

·         Is aware of the importance of always maintaining a safe margin from the stall whenever close to the ground i.e. below 1000’ AGL;

·         Can recognise the approach of a stall; and

·         Will initiate prompt prevention and recovery from stalls.

To introduce student pilots to soaring and what can be achieved by progressing through GPC training and beyond. It aims to foster enthusiasm to continue training and remain with the sport longer term. Thermal soaring is comprehensively covered in post-solo GPC units – this unit provides only a basic introduction to thermal soaring.

The aim of this GPC Unit is to: Develop the practical skills and knowledge to operate the Airbrakes, Flaps, Undercarriage, Canopy and Tow release in various gliders.

The aim of this GPC Unit is to develop the knowledge and skill to:

• use all primary controls to enter, maintain and exit a sustained turn in a coordinated manner;
• identify and correct coordination errors in the turn;
• vary the angle of bank in a turn;
• describe the relationship between the angle of bank and the radius of the turn; and
• demonstrate smooth and coordinated entry, maintenance and exit of sustained turns at various angles of bank.

To develop the skills and knowledge required to apply appropriate lookout procedures and scanning techniques.

The aim of this GPC unit is to develop the knowledge and skills required to fly a glider in straight flight at a steady speed, in a set direction, with wings level, without slip or skid.

The aim of this unit is for the student to:

• learn how aileron drag is generated whilst applying aileron;
• describe and demonstrate how aileron drag affects the aircraft; 
• be able to use controls to counter the effects of aileron drag resulting in coordinated flight at an angle of bank;
• describe and demonstrate the secondary effect of rudder.