Glider Flying Handbook (Federal Aviation Administration): FAA-H-8083-13A Paperback – Illustrated, June 16, 2015

I've been a licensed pilot for over 40 years, having earned my first rating (Private Pilot, Glider) when I was just teenager. But, I haven't flown gliders/sailplanes in quite a while and purchased this book as a refresher. It is very comprehensive and well-written. This is clearly a "pilots book" written with a thorough technical slant that might be too heavy a read for the novice or casual reader. Otherwise, it is highly recommended for those who are serious about mastering this wonderful sport.

Been a professional aviator for 30 years none of which involved soaring and gliding. This book is perfect for the novice to intermediate glider pilot. It will take you from the basics of flight, why and how an aircraft flys and lead you into the more advanced concept of flight. It must be remembered that this is flight , for the most part ,without an engine.The method of powered flight and unpowered flight have many similiarities but there are also significant differences. If you wish to learn about powered flight this is really is not the book for you.As a new glider pilot with many thousands of hours of flight experience with piston and jet aircraft I still found this book to be off great benefit.

The book starts with a discussion of ADM or aeronautical decision making, and continues on with a systematic layout of the items a person piloting a glider needs to be familiar with. Both in its introduction and in its explanations it focuses on information as the pilot must use it in making decisions resulting in safe flight. I have read more technically rigorous explanations of the topics discussed in other sources but, seldom seen them integrated together as well in a format that allows the pilot to understand and then apply them effectively in flight.

I ordered this book to replace my worn 2003 edition. This FAA publication desperately needed revision. This newer edition is even worse.The paper is less than bright white and the text is not sharp. The same charts, diagrams and drawings that were printed in color in earlier editions are now in muddy grayscale. The ASA published version of this book is printed in color. I'm returning this FAA version.This book does not deserve even one star.

I originally purchased this only because the PDF on the FAA site had all sorts of formatting problems. This is the first Kindle book Ive ever read. I like the options/features it has. I find it makes for a much easier read than the bland look and feel of the typical FAA text. Whenever I need another FAA PDF I'll be sure to check Kindle for this format first.

Not bad for an FAA Handbook. Quality is fine. Used this for a commercial glider add-on license. Covers basics and intermediate information.Essential for new glider pilots. Optional for rated pilots doing an add-on license.Now if I could find a good book on SKEW T....

I hole a Private Pilot's license and I've been looking into adding on a Glider Rating. This is a Very Informative Well-Written Handbook that is a MUST HAVE - for anyone interested in taking up Gliding!

It was easy to read for a government document. The printing was high quality on medium weight paper. I also have the PDF version, but nothing beats paper for ease of reading.