Description
This is the Soaring Society of Boulder's checkout procedure for their two Schempp-Hirth Discus CS gliders (N42CA and N23SG).
Prerequisites
Pilots need a private glider certificate or higher, PIC experience in a high-performance glider (>40:1 L/D), logged spin training from an SSB instructor, and must have read the Discus CS Flight Manual and memorized the required memory items.
Checkout process (3 parts, run by an SSB instructor):
- Ground orientation — covers preflight/control checks, cockpit systems (S100, transponder, FLARM, radio, pneumatics, electrical), weight and balance, seatbelts/parachute/bailout procedures, ground handling, how the Discus differs from the DG-505, landing technique, local landing options and glide-range requirements, spoiler/wheel-brake use, canopy care (the canopy is fragile and costs ~$10,000 to replace), and post-flight securing/trailer supplies.
- Pilot proficiency evaluation in the DG-505 (flown in tailwheel configuration) — evaluates checklist use, simulated rope break, boxing the wake/slackline recovery, stall recovery without aileron, minimum controllable airspeed, coordinated flight, pattern/approach speed control (±5kts), precision landings, directional control, crosswind correction, and airport/radio familiarity.
- Supervised solo flights — 3 solo flights in the Discus CS, with instructor evaluation and debrief on takeoffs/landings.
Water ballast endorsement: Requires additional checkout by an instructor with 10+ recent flights in high-wing-loading gliders.
Required memory items — stall speeds, min sink, L/D max speed, approach speed, and VNE at various altitudes, given at two weights (758 lbs and 1157 lbs), plus max tailwind (5 kts) and crosswind (10 kts) for takeoff.
Specifications — 49.2 ft wingspan, 21.6 ft length, 21.3 aspect ratio, 113.9 ft² wing area, max weight 1157 lbs, max wing loading 10.24 lbs/ft².