FAA Commercial Pilot — Glider (CGX)

Under 14 CFR 61, what is the minimum aeronautical experience in gliders required for a commercial pilot certificate with a glider rating when the applicant holds no other category certificate and is using the flight-time path?

• A25 hours flight time in gliders and 100 glider flights as pilot in command
• B20 hours flight time in gliders and 50 glider flights as pilot in command
• C10 hours flight time and 20 glider flights
• D40 hours flight time in any aircraft and 10 glider flights

A commercial glider pilot may act as pilot in command of a glider carrying passengers for compensation or hire only if the pilot also meets which currency requirement before that flight?

• AA flight review within the preceding 12 calendar months only
• BRecent flight experience: required takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days for…
• CAn instrument proficiency check within 6 months
• DA first-class medical certificate

Does a person exercising commercial glider pilot privileges need an FAA medical certificate?

• AYes, at least a second-class medical certificate
• BYes, a third-class medical certificate
• CNo medical certificate is required for glider operations
• DOnly BasicMed is required

On a glider polar curve, the airspeed that produces the minimum sink rate is best used for which objective?

• AMaximizing distance over the ground in still air
• BPenetrating into a strong headwind
• CAchieving the steepest descent for landing
• DStaying aloft the longest while thermalling or in lift

According to MacCready speed-to-fly theory, how should a glider pilot adjust cruise speed when expecting strong lift in the next thermal?

• AFly faster between thermals
• BFly slower to conserve altitude
• CMaintain best L/D speed regardless of expected lift
• DFly at minimum sink speed at all times

What is the primary aerodynamic benefit of carrying water ballast in a high-performance glider on a strong soaring day?

• AIt lowers the stall speed
• BIt increases the best L/D speed and improves inter-thermal cruise performance
• CIt increases the minimum sink rate advantage
• DIt reduces wing loading

During an aerotow, the tow pilot rocks the towplane's wings (rudder waggle is the glider's signal; wing rock is the towplane's). What does the towplane rocking its wings signal to the glider pilot?

• ARelease immediately, something is wrong with the towplane
• BIncrease tow speed
• CCheck your spoilers/dive brakes; they appear to be open or something is amiss
• DYou are too low in the tow position

If the glider pilot cannot release from the towline and the towplane can, what is the standard prearranged visual signal the glider gives the towplane to indicate 'I cannot release'?

• ARock the glider's wings
• BYaw the glider from side to side (fishtail)
• CPull up sharply to add slack
• DFly out to the left of the towplane while still on tow

A thermal is best described as which type of atmospheric lift?

• AA rising column of air created by uneven solar heating of the surface
• BAir deflected upward by a ridge or hill in wind
• CA standing wave downwind of a mountain range
• DLift produced where two air masses converge along a sea-breeze front

Which atmospheric condition is most favorable for the development of strong, well-organized thermals?

• AA surface-based temperature inversion
• BA steep environmental lapse rate (unstable air) with surface heating
• CA deep, moist stable layer
• DLight winds with widespread stratus

What flight instrument unique to gliders indicates the rate of climb or descent and is the primary tool for centering thermals?

• AAltimeter
• BAirspeed indicator
• CVariometer
• DMagnetic compass

What is the purpose of total energy compensation on a glider variometer?

• ATo correct the variometer for changes in altitude only
• BTo increase indicated airspeed accuracy
• CTo compensate for instrument lag in the altimeter
• DTo remove the effect of airspeed (stick) changes so the variometer shows only air mass ve…

During a ground (winch or auto) launch, what is the most critical hazard immediately after liftoff during the steep climb?

• AA low-altitude wing drop or premature launch failure (cable break) requiring immediate no…
• BExcessive forward visibility
• CCarburetor icing
• DOverspeeding the variometer

What is the recommended immediate action if a winch or auto-tow launch cable breaks at a low altitude where landing straight ahead is still possible?

• AImmediately turn back toward the launch point
• BLower the nose to establish a safe approach speed and land straight ahead
• CPull up to gain altitude before deciding
• DDeploy ballast dump and continue climbing

What is the main function of glider spoilers or dive brakes during the landing approach?

• ATo increase lift for a longer float
• BTo reduce stall speed
• CTo increase drag and steepen the glidepath for accurate approach control
• DTo trim the glider for hands-off flight

On the glider polar curve, the best lift-to-drag (L/D) airspeed is found at which graphical point?

• AThe lowest point on the curve
• BThe leftmost point on the curve
• CThe point where the curve crosses the zero-sink axis
• DThe point where a line from the origin is tangent to the polar

When flying final glide into a strong headwind, how should the pilot adjust airspeed relative to the still-air best L/D speed?

• AFly faster than best L/D to reduce time exposed to the headwind and improve glide over th…
• BFly slower than best L/D
• CFly exactly at best L/D regardless of wind
• DFly at minimum sink speed

What is a forward slip primarily used for in a glider approach?

• ATo increase airspeed rapidly
• BTo lose altitude and increase descent rate without increasing airspeed, often when spoile…
• CTo reduce drag for a longer glide
• DTo raise the nose during the flare

Ridge (slope) soaring lift is produced when:

• AThe sun heats a plowed field
• BAir sinks on the lee side of mountains
• CWind blows against a ridge or hill and is deflected upward along the slope
• DTwo surface air masses converge

Mountain wave lift is characterized by which of the following?

• ADisorganized, short-lived bubbles of warm air
• BLift only available near the surface
• CLift that requires strong surface heating
• DSmooth, standing waves of rising and sinking air downwind of a mountain barrier in stable…

A lenticular (cap) cloud aligned in a stationary lens shape downwind of mountains most strongly indicates the presence of:

• AMountain wave conditions
• BThermal activity
• CAn approaching warm front
• DFog formation

The turbulent, rolling air mass found beneath and downwind of the primary mountain wave crest is called the:

• AInversion
• BRotor
• CThermal street
• DConvergence zone

Which document or product gives soaring pilots a forecast of thermal strength, top of lift, and trigger temperature for a given day?

• AA METAR
• BA NOTAM
• CA soaring (thermal) forecast or RASP/Skew-T analysis
• DAn aircraft weight and balance sheet

On a Skew-T diagram, the trigger temperature for thermals is best estimated by:

• AReading the dew point at the surface
• BLocating the tropopause
• CReading the wind barbs aloft
• DFollowing the dry adiabat from the convective condensation level down to the surface temp…

How does increasing wing loading (for example by adding water ballast) affect the glider's stall speed?

• AIt raises the stall speed
• BIt lowers the stall speed
• CIt has no effect on stall speed
• DIt eliminates the stall entirely

If a glider is loaded with the center of gravity (CG) aft of the approved limit, the most likely effect is:

• AIncreased longitudinal stability and a higher stall speed
• BReduced longitudinal stability and a greater tendency to enter and resist spin recovery
• CNo effect because gliders are inherently stable
• DImproved stall warning margin

Before adding water ballast, the pilot must ensure the glider does not exceed which limitation?

• AThe minimum sink airspeed
• BThe maximum altitude
• CMaximum gross weight and any maximum wing/water tank weight limits in the flight manual
• DThe radio frequency limit

When planning a cross-country soaring task, the single best reason to identify suitable landout (off-field landing) sites along the route is:

• ATo reduce the glider's empty weight
• BTo satisfy a weather minimum
• CTo increase the MacCready setting
• DBecause gliders cannot climb on demand, a safe field must always be reachable if lift is…

When selecting an off-airport field for a landout, which factor should generally be evaluated FIRST among the following?

• AField size and the ability to land into the wind without obstructions
• BThe color of the crop
• CDistance to the nearest fuel
• DPresence of livestock for retrieve assistance

Two cumulus clouds line up in a long row along the wind, allowing extended straight-ahead climbing. This soaring feature is called a:

• ALenticular
• BCloud street
• CVirga
• DCap cloud

What privilege does a commercial pilot certificate with a glider rating specifically allow that a private glider pilot certificate does not?

• AFlying gliders above 18,000 feet without authorization
• BTowing banners without any additional requirements
• CActing as PIC of a glider carrying persons or property for compensation or hire, within r…
• DOperating gliders in Class A airspace VFR

Under 14 CFR 61.69, a person who wants to act as a towplane pilot towing a glider must, among other requirements, have:

• AA glider rating only
• BAn airline transport pilot certificate
• CNo additional requirements beyond a current flight review
• DAt least a private pilot certificate with the appropriate category/class rating, plus a l…

Per 14 CFR 91.309, the towline used for towing a glider generally must have a breaking strength within what range relative to the glider's maximum certificated operating weight?

• ANot less than 80% and not more than twice the maximum certificated operating weight of th…
• BExactly equal to the towplane weight
• CAt least 10 times the glider weight
• DNo regulatory limit applies

What is the recommended response if a glider on aerotow gets too high and the slack/position causes the towplane's tail to be pulled up, threatening the tow pilot?

• AContinue climbing higher to clear the towplane
• BPromptly correct back to the proper tow position and, if the situation cannot be correcte…
• CApply full spoilers and dive under the towplane
• DYaw the glider repeatedly

After a normal aerotow, when the glider releases, the standard procedure for the glider is to:

• ADescend straight ahead
• BContinue straight on the towplane's heading
• CTurn to the right (clearing turn) while the towplane turns left and descends
• DClimb above the towplane

What is the primary aerodynamic cause of a spin entry from a thermalling turn in a glider?

• AExcess airspeed in the turn
• BSpoilers left extended
• CCarrying water ballast
• DAn uncoordinated stall in which one wing is more stalled than the other (yaw at the stall)

The standard glider spin recovery technique generally begins with which action?

• AApply opposite (anti-spin) rudder, then ease the stick forward to break the stall, neutra…
• BApply full aileron into the spin
• CPull the stick fully aft
• DDeploy the spoilers fully

For maximum still-air glide distance with no wind and no usable lift expected, the MacCready ring/computer should be set to:

• AA high value matching the strongest thermal of the day
• BZero, which corresponds to flying at best L/D speed
• CThe minimum sink value
• DThe stall speed

Energy management in soaring refers primarily to the pilot's management of the trade-off between:

• AFuel and oil
• BRadio power and battery life
• CPotential energy (altitude) and kinetic energy (airspeed)
• DCrew workload and passenger comfort

Which condition would most likely require dumping water ballast before continuing a cross-country flight?

• AStrong, consistent thermals all afternoon
• BA long final glide with a tailwind
• CSmooth wave lift at high altitude
• DWeak, deteriorating lift and the need to thermal slowly at low altitude

Which 14 CFR part contains the general operating and flight rules that apply to glider operations, including right-of-way and towing?

• A14 CFR Part 91
• B14 CFR Part 61
• C14 CFR Part 121
• D14 CFR Part 135

Under right-of-way rules in 14 CFR 91.113, when a glider and an airplane are converging at approximately the same altitude (and neither is in distress), which generally has the right of way?

• AThe airplane, because it is faster
• BThe glider
• CThe aircraft on the left
• DWhichever is higher

Before each aerotow takeoff, the glider pilot and tow pilot should:

• ASkip briefing if they have flown together before
• BOnly check the weather
• CConduct a takeoff and emergency briefing, including signals and decision altitudes for ro…
• DRely on radio calls during the climb

Hypoxia becomes a significant concern for glider pilots primarily because:

• AGliders are pressurized and leaks are common
• BGliders generate carbon monoxide from an engine
• CHypoxia only occurs below 5,000 feet
• DWave soaring can take a glider to very high altitudes where supplemental oxygen is requir…

Per 14 CFR 91.211, supplemental oxygen must be used by the required minimum flight crew when operating above which cabin pressure altitude for more than 30 minutes?

• AAbove 10,000 feet MSL for more than 30 minutes (between 12,500 and 14,000 it is required…
• BAbove 5,000 feet MSL continuously
• CAbove 25,000 feet MSL only
• DOxygen is never required in gliders

What is the main risk-management reason to set a personal minimum 'decision altitude' to stop searching for lift and commit to a landing?

• ATo increase the glide ratio
• BTo ensure a safe, unhurried pattern and landing rather than a low, rushed, stall-prone ap…
• CTo raise the MacCready setting
• DTo reduce wing loading

Why should a glider pilot avoid flying directly through the lee-side rotor when attempting to enter mountain wave lift?

• AThe rotor contains the strongest smooth lift
• BThe rotor produces icing only
• CThe rotor is a zone of severe, possibly damaging turbulence
• DThe rotor is restricted airspace

Convergence lift along a sea-breeze or other air-mass boundary is useful to soaring pilots because it:

• AOnly exists at night
• BRequires no wind at all
• CProduces only sink
• DCan form a long line of lift that allows extended straight-line soaring along the boundary