All glider pilots and glider-borne troops and the 1st Assault Regiment are
members of the German Air Force, though they may initially have been in the Army. Glider
pilots are generally men who have had previous civilian experience in glider
flying. But comparatively excellent civilian glider experience is said to be
insufficient to qualify a pilot for operating a freight-carrying model. Training on the
large gliders is done in the glider unit itself. An important feature is the
making of spot landings, and blind flying is also taught. At the glider training
school at Braunschweig-Waggum, the course lasts 6 weeks. No reserve pilot is
carried in operations with the small glider. Air-landing troops do not necessarily
have to have any special training beyond instruction and practice in getting out
of the glider quickly.