Day 1: 
Introduction to equipment, terminology, and safety procedures including preflight. Hands on forward inflation techniques (or reverse inflations, depending on wind strength), using toggles to steer and flare to prepare for actual flight. Develop proper timing for releasing A risers. Discuss ground speed/airspeed/wind speed.  Weather observations as they affect current flight possibilities. Develop relationship between instructor/student and get the student used to responding to verbal communications. Possible low flights depending on student aptitude and conditions.

Day 2: 
Review of safety procedures and more wing handling. Discuss current weather observations with  student participation in short term forecasting. Discuss glider speeds (trim, best glide, minimum sink, flare) and the importance of having a flight plan. Before the first flight, it is imperative that the student understands that strong control inputs can cause oscillations, and could cause a stall or spin (discuss angle of attack).  Using radio control, do some short low-level flights depending on student aptitude. Constantly assess conditions and break when conditions become inappropriate for beginners (good time for discussion of thermals and wind strength including how wind affects our glide).  If not too windy, practice reverse inflation techniques.

Day 3:
Simulator training covering: surge control, oscillations, getting  in and out of the harness seat, proper flare timing, etc. Have student give analysis of current conditions, discuss flight plan, then more flights at a higher altitude with emphasis on smooth control inputs and flare timing, some turning, ending with a safety review. (Debriefing every flight is a good practice).  Use down time to discuss weather in more detail, prepare for exam, discuss landing approaches including S-turns, figure 8’s and 360 degree turns, air traffic, right of way rules, rotor etc.

Day 4:
Student demonstrates how to slow and speed up the glider smoothly. The student explains how to control direction and correct for an asymmetric wing fold of less than 25% and how to avoid a stall or spin. Proper PLF  technique can be practiced, but be aware that this can injure the student and possibly postpone his/her training. The student now continues adding flights to the log book, each time demonstrating skills learned over the course. (See Novice Rating Requirements). Day 5:

I. Objective

II. Equipment                                                                                                                            
harness, helmet                                                                                                            
glider construction                                                                                                       
airworthiness/certification                                                                                            
maintenance                                                                                                                
pre-flight

III. Beginning skills                                                                                                              
developing habits (hooking in, etc.)
forward launch                                                                         
kiting launch                                                                                       
trim, best glide, minimum sink, flare                                                      
crosswind (launching, landing, crabbing)
safety                                                                                                 
flying the canopy         

IV. Aerodynamics                                                                                                              
L/D                                                                                                                           
soaring
angle of attack
stall and spin

V. Wind and weather
ambient 
air density                                                                                                    
rising air (dewpoint)                                                                    
frontal systems                                                                                      
pressure                                                                                           
anabatic/catabatic                                                                  
wind gradient/venturi/rotor
clouds and what they represent

VI. Landing approaches                                                                             
View LZ/windsocks/smoke                                                                   
points of reference (trees, etc)                                                                 
aircraft approach/standard approach                                                       
S-turns, figure 8’s, 360’s                                                                                      
ground speed/wind speed/airspeed                                                                    
head wind                                                                                                   
upwind/downwind/crosswind                                                                       
circling turns in wind (drift)                                                                                 
air traffic/observe previous landings                                                            
flight plan                                                                                      

VII. Flying skills                                                                                             
asymmetric – control                                                                                      
active flying – surge control, proper brake pressure                                                                                                                                                                                
landing etiquette                                                                                                        
flying with faster aircraft

FAR’s