B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 437; Flight Crew Type 9700
Time Pressure; Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Workload
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure; Company Policy
ATC cleared our flight to the CALLS navigation fix for Runway 11L visual approach.  Just prior to being cleared; we were told that gliders were in the area. Passing through approximately 11;000' MSL my First Officer spotted the glider at 12 o'clock and co-altitude.  When I saw the glider; they were turning to the left and going away from us.  I disengaged the autopilot and flew the aircraft manually to the right to increase the distance between us. As we passed abeam the glider; the distance was less than 1000' and less than a mile. We were still in communication with Approach; so we told the Controller the gliders position; which was now above us.  The Controller called back to confirm the glider was 'above us as we passed below 10;000' MSL.' Having gliders without transponders is a real threat to other aircraft that cannot see them; especially when gliders have a very small profile head on or tail to you. I hope this report finds the right people in charge to protect the flying public from airborne hazards that could be avoided by installing a transponder.
A B737 took evasive action from a glider at about 10;000' while descending for a daylight visual approach to TUS Runway 11L. Suggest transponder equipped gliders near airports.