Product Description

"The Soaring Pilot's Manual" advances the reader from elementary flying to confident soaring by clearly and precisely explaining the basic soaring mechanisms and techniques. Explanatory diagrams illustrate the text throughout, making a complicated subject simple to understand. Having covered the first steps, the book progresses to cross-country flying and the final section contains exercises that will be found useful for any glider pilot wishing to improve his ability and qualifications. The latest technology, such as GPS navigation and instrument systems is covered.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #176726 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Review
It is, unusually for a textbook, a good read, punctuated with anecdotes and a sense of humour. Above all, Ken reminds us that gliding is, and should always remain, fun. Flyer magazine Why do I recommend it? It is clear, concise, comprehensive, informative, and maybe will have saved my life Vintage Glider Club

About the Author
Ken Stewart started gliding in 1972 and by 1976 held an Instructor's Rating. In 1982 he became National Coach to the British Gliding Association, a post he held for six years before becoming an airline pilot. As National Coach he was involved in all aspects of the sport, including the training of instructors, and cross-country and competition training. He is the holder of the FAI Diamond Badge. Resident - London

Customer Reviews

Recommended for post-solo pilots
This is one of the best books on the subject of how to soar, rather than the mechanics of getting up and down in one piece; it's quite easy to read but requires concentration in some places.

Section 1 covers the physics of lift generation in simple terms (thermals, hill lift, wave lift, etc.) and how to use each lift source effectively, but section 2 is most interesting because it discusses cross-country soaring in some detail (task selection, cross country flying, speed flying, dolphin flying, navigation, turning points etc.). The text includes a useful selection of anecdotes that illustrate some of the points and make them easier to remember. Overall, an excellent book.

the easy way to understand how to soar
This book covers the in's and out's of different soaring techniques and how different styles work. This book covers the best techniques of how to use the weather to you advantage and what to look for when your flying. I found this book very informative . i expected it to be hard to cope with but it wasnt i found it easy to understand a very worthwhile book for a glider pilot to have.

Highly recommended for 'Bronze and beyond' pilots
First-rate - comprehensive, informative and readable. Works both on a read-right-through basis and as a reference manual. Essential reading for any glider pilot, especially one about to move on from local soaring to cross-country flying.