The New Glider Pilot's Handbook

[Ed Anderson]

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
forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=217

Sailplane terms
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=185385

Sailplanes are Wonderful!
www.rchangout.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5356Pop-Offs

Discus Launched Gliders
forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=230

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

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

Other Pilot's Recommendations for First Sailplanes
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=211753

Soaring Clubs
www.rcsoaring.com/


TIPS

Learning to Use a Hi-Start
forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=216

What do Thermals Look Like?
www.flyaboveall.com/mountainpilot/thermalclinic.htm

Detecting Thermals
f4bscale.worldonline.co.uk/Thermals.htm

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

Tuning Your Glider's Elevator
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz0SqTPv3PQ

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

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

Test Flight Procedures
forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=226
Video of a hand test glide
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixwur8lakBM&feature=related

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

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

CG Location
polecataero.com/articles/cg-location

Using the Rudder in Thermal Flying
www.polecataero.com/articles/using-the-rudder-in-thermal-flying/

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

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

Weather - Knowing When to Fly
forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=236

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

Timing the Zoom
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSDmYwbMxZo

Reference to various types of soaring
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-controlled_glider#Forms_of_flight




RADIOS

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

First Time Servo Set-up
forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=248

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

Range Checks
www.rchangout.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7753

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

Dual Rates and Exponential Compared and Explained
forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=249


THE JOY OF SOARING

Trying to explain the thrill of gliders to friends
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175969

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

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


Feel free to post questions