FAA Testing & more
version Mar 24

Integrated Airman Certification Rating Application system (IACRA).

Almost everything that you'll need to do on your way to a glider certificate (license) requires a free account with the FAA's IACRA system. You'll need that account to

1. get your student pilot certificate
2. take the knowledge (AKA written) test
3. take the practical test with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner

Note that rated power pilots (e.g. Airplane Single Engine Land) do not need a student certificate nor take the knowledge test.

To register, go to the  IACRA web site, create a user account name and password - and save that account information so that you can access IACRA later. When done, you will be assigned a FAA Tracking Number (FTN). All in all, the whole process is surprisingly easy.

student pilot certificate

Getting your student pilot certificate is pretty easy too. Log into your IACRA account with your user name and password and start a new application by accepting the Terms Of Service as APPLICANT. Then

The site will then step you through the application process. When done, save the application at which time the application is assigned an application identifier. See https://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/student_cert/ for more information (note that you do NOT need a medical certificate to fly gliders so ignore that in the link). Finally, you and a GBSC instructor will then complete your application as follows

• The instructor will log into his IACRA account and enter your FTN and will:
  -- verify your identity (You WILL need a state or federal picture ID)
  -- verify that you can read, speak, and understand English
  -- will ask you to read the Pilot's Bill of Rights and the Privacy Statement
• The instructor will check the appropriate boxes and save the application
• You will then enter your IACRA account and
  -- verify that you have read  the bill of rights and privacy documents
  -- save the application
• The instructor will then, after logging in to his IACRA account (again)
  -- electronically sign and save the application
• and you're done.

Your plastic, credit card size, certificate will arrive in the mail in about three weeks (so is the claim). A temporary certificate will be available in IACRA for download in about a week.

The official information for getting your student certificate is at https://iacra.faa.gov/IACRA/HelpAndInfo.aspx?id=6.

Once you have your student certificate, when you instructor determines that you are ready to fly a glider solo, you must first take an informal pre-solo written test (FAR 61.87(b)). After reviewing your test, he will make the appropriate entry in your log book to make it official. You're now ready to fly on your own. Congratulations!

 knowledge test

Before you're allowed to take the Practical (Flight) Test, you must have passed the FAA knowledge (AKA written) test within the past 24 calendar months. The knowledge test is not required if you hold a power pilot certificate (airplane, helicopter, etc.). The test is administered using a computer at an FAA designated test site.

There are several commercial outlets that sell study guides or videos to help you prepare for the test. Using your favorite browser, just enter "FAA knowledge test guides" for a list of vendors. Some students learn better using books, others using videos, the choice is yours. The best free online glider practice tests are probably at PSI exams (see below) - which is also the site where you will later take the actual exam at the examination test site.

One commercial company (https://www.dauntless-soft.com/PRODUCTS/GroundSchool/private.asp) that, for about $60, offers a variety of online courses and, upon completion, will issue you an endorsement that that will allow you to take the FAA test. The symbol for the glide course is 'PGL'.

For better or for worse, the FAA glider knowledge test still has VOR and ADF questions on it. For those glider pilots who have never used a VOR, ADF, HSI, or RMI, here's a pretty slick simulator that will give you a good feel for their capabilities. The simulator was written by Tim Carlson.