Who is responsible for maintaining a glider in an airworthy condition?

The owner of the glider is primarily responsible for maintaining the glider in an airworthy condition. This responsibility includes ensuring that the aircraft meets all safety and regulatory standards as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The owner must maintain a detailed understanding of the glider's maintenance schedule, including regular inspections, repairs, and any necessary modifications to keep the glider functioning properly and safely.

While pilots may have knowledge of the glider's condition and may perform pre-flight checks or inspections, it is ultimately the owner's responsibility to ensure the glider is maintained according to the FAA regulations. Similarly, maintenance personnel may perform the necessary repairs and inspections, but they do so under the direction and authority of the glider's owner. Flight school managers typically oversee operations but do not directly hold responsibility for the airworthiness of individual gliders unless they are also the owners.