Christ. Nothing like comments from "experts". Soaring is the safest form of flying.
Most aircraft accidents are due to pilot error. Most pilot errors concern various systems management - like engine, fuel, navigation, etc. Sailplanes do not have many of these systems, thus decreasing the chance for pilot errors.
In the USA, you can solo a sailplane at age 14, become fully licensed at 16 and fly a sailplane commercially (paying passengers) at 18:
Students Pilots
Student pilots may solo at a minimum age of 14 with a student certificate endorsed for solo flight at the discretion of a FAA-Certified Flight Instructor for Gliders (CFIG). Generally, 30 to 40 flights with a CFIG are required to solo. This is roughly equivalent to 10-12 hours of flight time and is dependent upon the progress of the student.
Private Pilot-Glider
After solo, student pilots may qualify as a Private Pilot-Glider provided they:
- Are at least 16 years of age; and
- Have logged at least 10 hours of flight time in a glider and that flight time must include at least 20 total glider flights, and
- Have 2 hours of solo flight time in a glider, and
- Have passed the FAA written examination; and
- Have passed the flight exam with a FAA Examiner.
Commercial Pilots-Glider
Commercial Pilots-Glider must be at least 18-years of age, pass a written FAA examination, hold a Private Pilot license with 25 hours of flight time in gliders and 100 glider flights as pilot-in-command, or a total of 200 hours of flight time in heavier-than-air aircraft including 20 glider flights as pilot-in-command, 3 hours or ten flights training in a glider, and five solo flights in a glider and pass a flight test.
Not having an engine, electrical system or fuel system makes sailplanes very easy to fly. Coupled with comparatively slow approach and landing speeds, a halfway decent pilot can land on a football field coming in over the goal posts.
Even a trained hamster can fly a sailplane.
