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.

Great publication on Soaring, but he Kindle version is horrible. Has many missing or misplaced images and large blocks of text. Get it as a free PDF from the FAA website instead. Fly safe!

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 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's a good book and a necessary addition to one's library; it's a good reference. There are, two extremely minor points I would offer: it has that governmental agency flavor to it and it was printed in Canada. (huh?) But it is a wealth of information, the graphics are terrific, and there is a surprising section on what it takes to be a competent glider pilot (which I am not, yet) both mentally and physically.