Aces

[Seppo Koivisto]

Germanys biggest ace , and Finlands biggest ace and Russian second best ace were all glider pilots before the war !
Coinsidence ? Do airforces still try to recrute young gliderpilots ?

Germany had the Nationalsozialistische Fliegerkorps (NSFK). Finland had the paramilitary Suomen Ilmapuolustusliitto (SIPL), at least Kyösti Karhila had glider training.

I think air forces prefer to train their pilots from start, so civil glider training is not a big merit. At least the RAF and USAF have gliding in their cadet program.
http://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/whatwed ... course.cfm
http://www.usafa.edu/tu/306ftg/94fts/programs.cfm

[Thor4711]

THANK YOU! Yes in fact those Air Cadets are traditional, also in Canada! And in fact if somebody of those glider pilots wants to switch to the regular Air Force traing, then having flown gliders certainly was a good basic experience.
Here in Germany esp AFTER the end of the war such institutions were first not allowed and then out of sight. Just the civil glider clubs are booming!
Eginhard

[Empiricist]

Germanys biggest ace , and Finlands biggest ace and Russian second best ace were all glider pilots before the war !
Coinsidence ?

And no wonder. I am a pilot as well, also glider of mainly vintage gliders. Both captains Bob Pearson and Sully Sullenberger were the glider pilots as weel. There is no better education and training for the pilot than to start from gliding and soaring. It gives unique self-confidence in the air forever.