Introduction to Glider Flying > Introduction to Glider Flying > Glider Certificate Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to fly a glider solo, you must be at least 14 years of age and demonstrate satisfactory aeronautical knowledge on a test developed by your instructor. You also must have received and logged flight training for the maneuvers and pro-cedures in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR) part 61 that are appropriate to the make and model of aircraft to be flown, as well as demonstrate satisfactory proficiency and safety. Only after all of these requirements are met, can your instructor endorse your student cer-tificate and logbook for solo flight.

To be eligible for a private pilot certificate with a glider rating, you must be at least 16 years of age, complete the specific training and flight time requirements described in 14 CFR part 61, pass a knowledge test, and successfully complete a practical test.

To be eligible for a commercial or flight instructor glider certificate, you must be 18 years of age, complete the specific training requirements described in 14 CFR part 61, pass the required knowledge tests, and pass another practical test. If you currently hold a pilot certificate for a pow-ered aircraft and are adding a glider category rat-ing on that certificate, you are exempt from the knowledge test but must satisfactorily complete the practical test. Certificated glider pilots are not required to hold an airman medical certificate to operate a glider.