The Condor Sim

By Eric Tellmann

Aviation glider pilots revel in the opportunity to unravel the intricacies of Mother Nature and explore the harmonies that keep them gracefully suspended in the sky. The Soaring Society of America (SSA) stands as a beacon for not only elite racing US pilots participating in world gliding championships, but also as an ardent supporter and organizer of the gliding community at large. Beyond fostering camaraderie, the SSA extends its support through various scholarships, one of which has recently been awarded to aid in procuring a gliding simulator for SSA chapters. Lakeland Aeroclub, an SSA Chapter, is a proud recipient of this scholarship, channeling its benefits towards enhancing the training experience for private pilot glider students.

Qwest Hipps, a dedicated member of Lakeland Aero Club, etched his name in history as the inaugural student pilot to embark on glider simulator training integrated seamlessly with live flight instruction. Commencing with fundamental aspects such as airspeed control, turns, and basic aerodynamics, the training program progressed organically into more advanced maneuvers, including stalls. Following a couple of simulator lessons, Qwest transitioned seamlessly into live flight.

Collaborating with the Tampa Bay Soaring Society, Lakeland Aero Club utilized tow operations and Balaniks at TBSS to facilitate Qwest’s live flight training. Qwest’s maiden flight showcased his proficiency in basic speed control, slow flight, turns, and rudder coordination. His exemplary performance even extended to executing stalls flawlessly, demonstrating impeccable control and recovery.

During the initial stall, Qwest executed a perfect recovery, skillfully bringing the nose up with feet just on the horizon, maintaining coordinated flight. As the wing dropped to the right, Qwest promptly applied corrective action with a left rudder, centering the stick, and effortlessly leveling the wing, successfully recovering from the stall.

Impressed by Qwest’s aptitude, the instructor remarked, “Qwest, buddy, I have never on a first lesson had a student land a glider and you are killing it out here today. I know you’ve seen this on the sim, and I’ll stay with you on the controls but you’re going to land us today. I’m just here with you in case I need to step in. I know you have never worked speed brakes and we are going to do that together. Push forward to go faster and pull back to go slower and that works with pitch like airspeed that you have been doing. Fly the approach and pattern at 55 kts and I’ll tell you when to turn. I’ll walk you through this and let’s see what you’ve got.”

Qwest astounded onlookers by flawlessly landing the aircraft. Traditionally, glider instruction requires an average of 60-80 flights for a student to solo. However, thanks to the Condor sim, this number has been significantly reduced to an average of 30-50 flights. Beyond efficiency, the simulator has been proven to enhance safety by allowing instructors to pause and discuss critical moments, fostering a deeper understanding of the larger picture and improving debriefing sessions.

The simulator’s ability to freeze moments for discussion has proven invaluable. It addresses potential issues that might be overlooked in real-time, ensuring students absorb a comprehensive understanding of their surroundings and the corrective actions needed. The incorporation of the simulator has, therefore, not only streamlined the learning process, but has also elevated the level of safety and proficiency within glider training at Lakeland Aero Club.