Doug Cline28 January 2002
Wings Program
This note is to remind licensed glider pilots of the advantages to both them, and the FLSC, of participating in the FAA Pilot Proficiency Awards Program, usually called WINGS. This program, which is exploited extensively by power pilots, is equally advantageous to glider pilots.
What is the FAA WINGS Program?
There are 20 phases of wings to which you can aspire, and 12 months must pass between the completion dates of successive phases. At the completion of each phase the FAA awards you a signed certificate plus a set of pilot proficiency lapel or tie wings that you can wear.
Requirements:
a)Safety seminar:
Each phase of the WINGS program requires attendance at a FAA-sanctioned aviation seminar plus some flight training. The local FSDO Safety Officer, Guido Hassig, told me that he would sanction the FLSC Safety Seminars and sign the WINGS forms for members attending our seminars. Thus attending our Safety Seminar also can be used towards the first component of the WINGS awards.
b) Flight training for gliders:
The flight training for glider involves the following:
(1)One hour of ground training to include preflight operations, including installation of wings and tail surfaces, on-line inspection, use of glider operating limitations, weight and balance computations, performance data, and standard emergency procedures.
(2) One hour or three flights to include launch procedures, proper position during tow, emergency procedures such as slack rope or tow-rope failure, and tow release procedures.
(3)One hour or three flights to include thermalling procedures, flight in close proximity to other aircraft, maneuvers at various performance speeds, demonstration of best lift over drag (L/D) and minimum sink, and precision approaches and landings.
Attendance at the FLSC Safety Seminar plus the FLSC annual check flights already satisfies a major fraction of the first two requirements of the WINGS Program. Satisfaction of the WINGS program would require in addition a one-hour soaring flight with a CFI. This could incorporate a short cross-country flight in the ASK21. The additional groundwork could involve assembling one of the private single-place ships, something that most of you do anyway.
Why participate in the WINGS Program?
There are real advantages for you to participate in the WINGS Program.
(1)Passing one phase can be used in place of the biennial flight review. Remember the Biennial Review requires a one hour ground review plus a one hour of flight review. The Wings Program requires the additional 1-hour soaring flight.
(2)Additional advanced training should enhance safety in the Club, as well as providing enjoyment of advanced soaring with a CFI and hopefully picking up useful new tips.
(3)When the WINGS Program was started the FAA had a promise that insurance companies would reduce the insurance for members participating in the WINGS program. However, checking with Costello it turns out that none of the insurance companies that they represent give any credit for participation in the WINGS Program although they strongly support the program. In spite of this, participation would be a strong indicator of of the FLSC commitment to safety and could help reduce the insurance costs.
(4)Instructors who provide at least 15 hours of flight training in any phase of the FAA WINGS Program to at least 5 pilots, and sign the logbooks, will have their CFI certificate automatically renewed. The instructors have been going to considerable expense traveling to two-day re-certification clinics at distant locations in order to renew their CFI ratings. If members utilized the FLSC instructors to satisfy the WINGS Program requirements, then they also will save the instructors considerable personal time and expense.
It seems to me that the benefits of the WINGS Program to the individual members, the FLSC, and the instructors are significant, and thus we should strongly encourage members to participate. I recommend that the FLSC endorse and encourage participation in the Wings Program.