Tom Knauff's newsletter

Has anyone read this? What is your opinion? Tom Knauff certainly
doesn't provide any facts to sup****t his conclusions. The following
statement in particular should anger each glider pilot, CFIG and
examiner: "The point of this is the demonstrable fact that most glider
pilots do not have the fundamental knowledge to fly safely. (Perhaps
with the exception of very controlled cir***stances.)"

When I questioned him on this he simply offered the following:=93Oh, by
the way, the test results demonstrate the point.=94

Really? What tests? Where=92s the empirical data?  Has he just perused
NTSB re****ts or is it firsthand knowledge? Does he speak of transition
pilots or =93from scratch=94 students. Why does he only mention glider
pilots and not general aviation? What has he done to change the FAA
PTS?

I personally know two CFIG=92s who have crashed with passengers on
board. One passenger died and the other passenger will never be the
same. One CFIG continues to fly and the other has withdrawn from the
glider community and, quite possibly, aviation altogether. Are they to
be included in Tom=92s categorical statements? I think not.

It is not just glider pilots. It isn=92t just the low time pilot.
Everyone makes mistakes. For Tom to make such broad statements just to
sell some books is reckless and doesn=92t provide any real help to our
small community.

Is there a gap in training and real flying? You bet. So why isn=92t he
tapping on the shoulder of every CFIG, DPE, and the FAA?

His offhand comments smack in the same style as John Scherer=92s
commercials for the Video Professor; =93Buy my product.=94

Warren

The complete newsletter:
Several of you have asked for answers to the questions, and want more
questions.
At the end of most chapters of the first training manual, "Glider
Basics From First Flight To Solo," there are im****tant end of chapter
questions.
Also, "The Bronze Badge Book" has nearly 300 im****tant questions and
answers.
You can order these and other books from our web site listed below.
The point of this is the demonstrable fact that most glider pilots do
not have the fundamental knowledge to fly safely. (Perhaps with the
exception of very controlled cir***stances.)
I recently had a person contact me about flight training. He explained
that he did not need any ground school because he was going to take
the FAA written test before arriving at our school. I expect him to go
elsewhere for his training.
Everyone gets a score on the FAA test in the high 90s because the
questions and answers are available to them. Unfortunately, the FAA
written test does not ask questions like, "Why does an aircraft have a
rudder?"  Or, "What color field is generally best for an off field
landing?"  Or, "At what altitude can you see cow's legs?"
Thomas Knauff
Knauff & Grove Soaring Supplies
Ridge Soaring Glider****t
3523 S Eagle Valley Rd
Julian, Pa 16844

Phone 814 355 2483
tknauff@[EMAIL PROTECTED]