Gliding: From Passenger to Pilot

This is a book for anyone who has ever dreamed of riding the air currents, soundlessly, with breathtaking vistas stretching out to the horizon. Gliding: From Passenger to Pilot guides you through the first steps in realizing the dream. Written by an experienced instructor, it includes a history of the sport, from early experiments to postwar sport gliders; an introduction to gliding clubs, getting started, and what to expect; an explanation of the mechanics of glider flying, including controls and instruments; sections on learning each stage of flight, safety, and weather; ideas for post-solo progress, including cross-country and competitive flying; and an abundance of photos and drawings. Steven Longland has been a gliding instructor and examiner for nearly 30 years; he has flown over 4,500 hours, including competition, cross-country, and mountain flying.