Marfa Gliders

Gliders, Sailplanes, Gliding and Soaring

Finish Your Glider Rating

Want a concentrated course to finish your glider rating? Sorry, no "crash" courses, but I do offer quality training to meet your goals. Come to west Texas and enjoy our excellent weather (not too warm up here at our 5,000' msl airport elevation!) and the wonderful scenery of the Texas Big Bend country. Apply for your personalized instruction course and your FAA Practical Test ("checkride") with Burt Compton. If you qualify, I will help you achieve your goals, and show you a good time! Email for training details, schedules and accommodations

Bringing Your Glider to Marfa?

I can provide aerotows with advance notice, but only when I am in town. Email us for the file of "PRE-MARFA PROJECTS" to prepare your glider, crew, and trailer. This document contains good advice on oxygen, landout kits, radio antennas and more, from the handout of the 1960's created by legendary Marfa Contest Manager Fritz Kahl. Our Marfa Accommodations & Activities guide is also available. Please contact me to discuss the dates you plan to visit and bring a crew. Bringing your dedicated chase-crew is recommended as I do not offer retrieve services. I do offer crew training / how to back up a trailer and more! Obtain a El Paso aeronautical (sectional) chart to understand our topography and to see the distant airports (most ranch airport runways are too narrow for gliders, and are fenced and locked.)

Glider Flight Instructor (CFIG) "Boot Camp"

I've been asked to organize a training camp exclusively for renewing, reinstating (expired CFIG's) and generating NEW CFI-Glider Instructors. The "Add-On" glider category to an existing (or expired) Airplane Flight Instructor is relatively simple. An "initial" CFI requires more time, but I would enjoy helping you earn your CFIG, or "add-on", renew or reinstate your CFI-Glider, so let me know if you are interested in a group course at Marfa for groundschool and backseat flying. Fall and Winter would be the preferred season at Marfa. We may enjoy some thermals, but generally smoother conditions and mild temperatures for flight training. Let me know if you are interested and we will discuss some dates. CFIG training and checkrides are also available as a one-on-one basis, but the "CFIG Boot Camp" idea sounds like fun!

Rides and Lessons

● Glider Rides with our FAA Certificated Pilots (by appointment.)

● Gift Certificates for Glider Rides / Lessons.

● Flight Instruction - basic piloting, flight reviews or advanced soaring techniques.

● Private/Commercial/CFIG Practical Tests ("checkrides") with our FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (Burt.)

● Flight Instructor (Glider) "add-on" and renewals.

● Towpilot Aerotow training / "24-month" re-currency endorsements.

● Aerotows and ramp services for private sailplanes.

● Coaching on thermaling, accuracy landings and cross-country soaring.

● "Crew Course" - tips on how to be a great XC crew for your pilot!

● SSA "Master" Instructor Cross-Country Course with Burt Compton.

● Enjoy our Glider Hangar (80' by 80' with 60' door opening) and shaded BBQ/picnic area.

● RV Park with hookups on the airport for soaring enthusiasts only. Sorry, no tents. Reservations required.

● Advice on family adventure activities, horseback riding, star-gazing and art galleries in Marfa, Fort Davis and Alpine.

Above all, we will show you a good time!