- Introduction / Overview
- Offer of training
- Requirements & Time spent
- Costs
- Contact & Further information
Gliding Group Obwalden (SGOW) – Flight School in the heart of Switzerland
The Gliding Flight Group Obwalden (SGOW) is a traditional gliding school with its home port at the former military airfield Kägiswil LSPG in central Switzerland. The SGOW operates a voluntary training program for aspiring glider pilots and also offers passenger flights. Every year, one or two new pilots are trained – ideal for those interested in learning to sail from scratch.
Offer of training
Training at SGOW includes complete basic gliding training over typically two seasons. In the practical part, the flight student is prepared for flying in double-tax flights, with the aim of taking the practical exam after the first solo flight and about 30 other instruction flights. This is complemented by a comprehensive theory section with subjects such as air law, general aircraft knowledge, flight performance and planning, flight meteorology, navigation, human performance and fundamentals of flying.
After completing the basic training, SGOW offers additional options: briefings on different types of aircraft, training for winch towing, en-route gliding, aerobatic flight, radio/radio telephony and other special qualifications. The fun of flying together and the exchange of experiences with experienced members is also in the foreground.
Requirements & Time spent
Practical gliding training usually takes place once a week, usually on weekends (Saturday or Sunday). During the season, you should plan on average every second weekend for a flight day. The theory is taught in the winter months in the evening on about 10-15 evenings; in addition, independent learning is required.
In addition, the members of SGOW are expected to participate in the maintenance and maintenance of the association’s aircraft during the winter months. The annual workload is on average about 25-30 hours. Depending on the agreements, those who do more can receive partial remuneration, which can reduce the effective costs of training.
Costs of training
The training at the SGOW itself is basically “free of charge”, i.e. the flight instructors work on a voluntary basis. Costs are incurred only in the form of Member and gliding flat rates and for towing flights of the towing aircraft. Typical per year are lump sums and contributions as well as a reduced minute tariff for the tow.
| Performance / License | Typical costs (over 2 years) |
|---|---|
| Basic gliding training (incl.) Theory & Practice | Approximately CHF 4’000 – 6’000 |
| Introduction flight (for interested parties) | CHF 160 (incl. short theory block + space in the double seat) + towing or Minute fare for flight time |
For young people under 20 years of age or pupils/students, the glider allowance may be halved (e.g. only CHF 750 instead of CHF 1’500 per year. This reduces the total cost of training by around CHF 1,500 over two years.
What awaits you afterwards?
After the successful basic training, a wide range of further education opportunities is open to you at SGOW: You can fly in on different types of aircraft, take route flights, specialize in winch towing, aerobatic flight or radio telephony. This means that flying remains exciting and varied even after training – ideal for everyone who wants to remain part of the glider community.
Contact & Additional information
📧 Email: info@sgow.ch
📮 Postal address: gliding group Obwalden, 6060 Sarnen, Switzerland
🌐 Web: https://www.sgow.ch/