The New Glider Pilot's Handbook - 2nd Edition
 

THE NEW GLIDER PILOT'S HANDBOOK
Second Edition
by Ed Anderson

If you are just getting started in thermal duration gliders in any form, then there are many things you will want to know. The New Glider Pilot's Handbook is here to try and make that easier.

In the first edition of the New Glider Pilot's Handbook, I compiled the resources based on a series of articles I wrote for RCEzine.com. Unfortunately the magazine went under so the info is no longer available. I have rewritten much of the material and posted it in a variety of places around the forums.

This is a compilation of many of those articles and threads. While many of the articles are mine, I have included some excellent work by other authors. Also, I have provided links that go to various forums and locations so the new glider pilot can discover the breadth of on-line resources that are available. The articles are rich with links to other resources as well, so this listing is deceptive. There is much more behind the links than you might expect.

Some of the links go to threads that I started when I had a question. I felt the content of those threads was helpful, so I have included them here as resources. Have you ever sat in a class hopeful that someone else will ask the question that you don't want to ask? Well, I asked for you. Take a look at the responses.

I invite other pilots to contribute to the thread to expand and supplement what I have compiled here. I invite those with questions to post them in this thread or one of the threads referenced below. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask.

To new and experienced flyers alike, I hope you find something here that will be useful and will contribute to your soaring experience.

=============================================

GETTING STARTED

Getting started with Gliders
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=217

Sailplanes are Wonderful!
http://www.*********.com/forums/show...t=5356Pop-Offs

Discus Launched Gliders
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2357948/tm.htm

Why Join a Club?
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=238

Welcome to the Novice Lounge
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=224




TIPS

Learning to use a Hi-Start
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1171131/tm.htm

Plane Locators
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=237

Performance Tuning Gliders
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=227

Using Ballast
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=232

Test Flight Procedures
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=226

Workshop Ventilation
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=235

Tip Stalling and Wing Washout
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1120310/tm.htm

Getting Planes out of trees
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=239

Sample Set-up for a Full House Glider
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=233

Weather - Knowing when to fly
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=236

Contest Strategies
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=265089



RADIOS

Choosing a Sailplane Radio - What to Consider
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=223

FIRST TIME SERVO SET-UP
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=248

What Goes on Which Stick
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=234

Range Checks
http://www.*********.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7753

EPA/ATV
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=247

DUAL RATES AND EXPONENTIAL EXPLAINED AND COMPARED
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=249


THE JOY OF SOARING

The Joy of the Hunt
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=225

Soaring is more fun with friends
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=228

Follow me, silently, and I'll show you where there's lift! :)

RE: The New Glider Pilot's Handbook - 2nd Edition
 

Ed, thanks for putting this information out for us new pilots. I am just starting day 2 of a long rehab. for major shoulder surgery. This comes at a great time, since I can't go out and fly I can read more about this great sport. This site has been a great help since I don't have a good hobby store up her to go to. Thanks to you and everyone who answere my questions mike

RE: The New Glider Pilot's Handbook - 2nd Edition
 

Glad to help Mike. Good luck with the rehab.

RE: The New Glider Pilot's Handbook - 2nd Edition
 

Hi Ed, My rehab is doing fine and the reading of the new glider pilots handbook has answered tons of questions, great reference for me to go to and look stuff up, especially when being self taught. I have one question and hoping to be able to try flying in 6 wks. I learned on a easy star and well be setting up my easy glider as my nonpowered full axis/thermal trainer. My question is about getting spoilerons to work on the easy glider. I use a 6 xas and assume I could hook up to have both flapperons/spoilerons, and still have normal functions of the ailerons. What would you start with for dialing in up elv? I assume I would fly by and see how it reacted when engaged and adj. accordingly Thanks again Mike.

RE: The New Glider Pilot's Handbook - 2nd Edition
 

Try 50% to start and see how that works.

Also look for flap/elevator compensations so you can trim the flaperons/spoilerons to have elevator mixed in

RE: The New Glider Pilot's Handbook - 2nd Edition
 

I added this one to the first post

Contest Strategies
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=265089

RE: The New Glider Pilot's Handbook - 2nd Edition
 

Our club also enjoyes aerotowing scale sailplanes. This weekend will be our next. Take a look.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4846330/tm.htm

RE: The New Glider Pilot's Handbook - 2nd Edition
 

Anyone have things to contribute? New glider pilots need our help.

RE: The New Glider Pilot's Handbook - 2nd Edition
 

Slope soaring Tips for Beginners
http://www.shallowsky.com/planes/weasel/slopetips.html

How Slope Soaring Works
http://users.iafrica.com/s/st/stevemac/afc/ssoar.html

RE: The New Glider Pilot's Handbook - 2nd Edition
 

Great set of links & info aeajr!

Thanks

Joe

RE: The New Glider Pilot's Handbook - 2nd Edition
 

Thanks Josepy,

If you have any suggestions for additional topics or great links you have seen, please provide that here.