The SOSA Curriculum
Groundschool is a self-study online course available from the Soaring Association of Canada. An alternative commercial training course is also available to supplement that training for $100.
| Stage |
Exercise |
Description |
Flights |
Total |
|
A
|
1
|
Familiarization Flight
-Familiarization with surrounding area
|
1
|
1
|
|
A
|
2
|
Aircraft Familiarization and Preparation for Flight
-controls, instruments, cockpit checks*
|
0
|
|
A
|
3
|
Ground Handling
-Take-off signals/ glider hook-up/ wing-running
|
0
|
|
A
|
4
|
Daily inspection and walk around* |
0
|
|
B
|
5
|
Attitudes and Movements
-look-out*
-effects of controls
- use covered instrument exercises (ASI) throughout Stages B,C and D
|
1
|
6-11
|
|
B
|
6
|
Aileron Drag, Straight Flight*, Gentle Turns*
-straight flying towards a point on the horizon
- coordinated 90o, 180o, and 360o gentle turns
|
1-3
|
|
B
|
7
|
Further Effects of Controls
-stability,
-attitude (speed control) and use of trim
|
1-3
|
|
B
|
8
|
Turns*
- gentle and medium turns
|
2-3
|
|
C1
|
9
|
Take-off*
|
1-2
|
13-27
|
|
C1
|
Pre-solo Exam is to be completed after approximately 15-20 flights
|
|
C
|
10
|
Aerotow*
- Low and High tow
|
1-2
|
|
C
|
11
|
Effects of airbrakes on attitude (speed)
|
1-2
|
|
C
|
12
|
Approach and Landing* - under and overshooting |
2-5
|
|
C
|
13
|
Circuit Planning*
- High and Low Key Areas
|
2-5
|
|
D
|
14
|
Slow flight* and Gentle Stalls* |
1-2
|
20-40
|
|
D
|
15
|
Spin Recovery* |
1-3
|
|
D
|
16
|
Spiral Dive Recovery* |
1-2
|
|
D
|
17
|
Sideslips* |
2-3
|
|
D
|
18
|
Rope Breaks |
2-3
|
|
D
|
19
|
First Solo
|
1-2
|
|
1 Pre-solo Exam is to be completed within Stage C after approximately 15-20 flights
All paperwork for student pilot permit should also be completed at this time.
|
E2
|
20
|
Boxing the Wake* Emergency Procedures Thermalling |
ongoing
|
40-75
|
|
E3
|
Solo
|
Practice specific pre-solo exercises as determined by instructor/student |
1-2
|
|
E
|
21
|
Illusions Created By Drift (when conditions allow) - review pre-solo exercises - thermalling |
1-2
|
|
E
|
Solo
|
Thermalling and practice specific pre-solo exercises as determined by instr/student |
1-2
|
|
E
|
22
|
Thermalling |
ongoing
|
|
E
|
Solo
|
Practice boxing the wake, thermalling and specific pre-solo exercises as determined by instr/student |
1-2
|
|
E
|
23
|
Slipping Turns and Slips on approach |
1-2
|
|
E
|
Solo
|
review pre-solo exercises and thermalling |
1-2
|
|
F
|
24
|
Advanced Take-off and Landing - crosswind* - downwind - abbreviated circuit - short field*/spot landing |
1-2
|
|
F
|
Solo
|
Practice advanced T/O and Landing |
1-2
|
|
F
|
25
|
Steep Turns* |
1-2
|
|
F
|
Solo
|
Practice steep turns and thermalling |
1-2
|
|
F
|
26
|
Advanced Stalls and Spins
recognition, entry and recovery
|
2-3
|
|
F
|
Solo
|
Solo spins at the discretion of the instructor |
1-2
|
|
F
|
27
|
* |
1-2
|
|
F
|
Solo
|
Practice to flight test standards |
1-4
|
|
G4
|
28
|
Pre-Flight Test |
2
|
|
|
|
FLIGHT TEST |
2
|
2 Single seat checkout for Junior and PW5 in stage E – after 5 solo flights and check flight in Puchacz
3 No Solo spiral dive practice
4 Student must have a total of 6 hours flight time, including 2 hours solo to be eligible for the Flight Test
* Indicates required items for the Flight Test
|
Learn to Fly 
