Center of Gravity ....................................................................................................................................5-14
Sample Weight & Balance Problems .....................................................................................................5-15
Ballast .......................................................................................................................................................5-17
Trim Ballast ............................................................................................................................................5-17
Performance Ballast ...............................................................................................................................5-17
Chapter Summary .....................................................................................................................................5-19
Chapter 6: Preflight & Ground Operations
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................6-1
Assembly & Storage ....................................................................................................................................6-1
Trailering ..................................................................................................................................................6-2
Tiedown & Securing .................................................................................................................................6-2
Water Ballast ............................................................................................................................................6-3
Ground Handling ......................................................................................................................................6-3
Launch Equipment Inspection ..................................................................................................................6-4
Glider Preflight Inspection ........................................................................................................................6-8
Prelaunch Checklist .................................................................................................................................6-8
Glider Care ................................................................................................................................................6-10
Preventive Maintenance ........................................................................................................................6-10
Chapter Summary .....................................................................................................................................6-10
Chapter 7: Launch, Flight Maneuvers, Landing, & Recovery Procedures
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................7-1
Aerotow Takeoff Procedures .......................................................................................................................7-1
Signals .....................................................................................................................................................7-1
Takeoff Procedures & Techniques ............................................................................................................7-3
Pilot Induced Oscillations (PIOs) During Launch .....................................................................................7-8
Common Errors ......................................................................................................................................7-10
Aerotow Climb-Out .................................................................................................................................7-11
Slack Line ..............................................................................................................................................7-14
Boxing the Wake ....................................................................................................................................7-15
Aerotow Release ....................................................................................................................................7-16
Ground Launch Takeoff Procedures ..........................................................................................................7-17
CG Hooks ..............................................................................................................................................7-17
Signals ...................................................................................................................................................7-18
Tow Speeds ...........................................................................................................................................7-19
Automobile Launch ................................................................................................................................7-20
Winch Launch ........................................................................................................................................7-21
Crosswind Takeoff & Climb ....................................................................................................................7-22
Normal Into-the-Wind Launch ................................................................................................................7-24
Self-Launch Procedures ............................................................................................................................7-25
Preparation & Engine Start ....................................................................................................................7-25
Taxiing ....................................................................................................................................................7-26
Pretakeoff Check....................................................................................................................................7-26
Normal Takeoff .......................................................................................................................................7-27
PIOs in Self-Launching Gliders ..............................................................................................................7-27
Crosswind Takeoff ..................................................................................................................................7-28
Climb-Out & Engine Shutdown Procedures ...........................................................................................7-29
Gliderport/Airport Traffic Patterns & Operations ........................................................................................7-31
Normal Approach & Landing ..................................................................................................................7-33
Pilot Induced Pitch Oscillations During Landing ....................................................................................7-36
Forward Slip ...........................................................................................................................................7-36
Sideslip ..................................................................................................................................................7-36
Crosswind Landing ................................................................................................................................7-37
Downwind Landing .................................................................................................................................7-38
Landing a Self-Launching Glider ............................................................................................................7-39
Nosewheel Glider Oscillations During Launches & Landings ................................................................7-39
Tailwheel/Tailskid Equipped Glider Oscillations During Launches & Landings ......................................7-40
After Landing & Securing .......................................................................................................................7-40
Performance Maneuvers ...........................................................................................................................7-41
Straight Glides .......................................................................................................................................7-41
Turns ......................................................................................................................................................7-41
Slow Flight .............................................................................................................................................7-45
Stall Recognition & Recovery ................................................................................................................7-46
Chapter Summary .....................................................................................................................................7-50
Chapter 8: Abnormal & Emergency Procedures
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................8-1
Aerotow Abnormal & Emergency Procedures .............................................................................................8-1
Environmental Factors .............................................................................................................................8-1
Pilot Error .................................................................................................................................................8-1
Mechanical Failures .................................................................................................................................8-2
Slack Line ................................................................................................................................................8-7
Ground Launch Abnormal & Emergency Procedures .................................................................................8-8
Abnormal Procedures ..............................................................................................................................8-8
Emergency Procedures ...........................................................................................................................8-9
Self-Launch Takeoff Emergency Procedures .........................................................................................8-10
Spiral Dives ...............................................................................................................................................8-10
Spins .........................................................................................................................................................8-10
Entry Phase ...........................................................................................................................................8-12
Incipient Phase ......................................................................................................................................8-12
Developed Phase ...................................................................................................................................8-12
Recovery Phase .....................................................................................................................................8-12
Off-Field Landing Procedures ...................................................................................................................8-13
Afterlanding Off Field .............................................................................................................................8-16
System & Equipment Malfunctions ...........................................................................................................8-16
Flight Instrument Malfunctions ...............................................................................................................8-16
Glider Canopy Malfunctions ...................................................................................................................8-17
Water Ballast Malfunctions .....................................................................................................................8-18
Retractable Landing Gear Malfunctions .................................................................................................8-18
Primary Flight Control Systems .............................................................................................................8-18
Secondary Flight Controls Systems .......................................................................................................8-20
Miscellaneous Flight System Malfunctions ...............................................................................................8-21
Towhook Malfunctions ............................................................................................................................8-21
Oxygen System Malfunctions ................................................................................................................8-21
Drogue Chute Malfunctions ...................................................................................................................8-21
Self-Launching Gliders ..............................................................................................................................8-22
Inability to Restart a Self-Launching/Sustainer Glider Engine While Airborne .......................................8-22
Self-Launching Glider Propeller Malfunctions ........................................................................................8-23
Self-Launching Glider Electrical System Malfunctions ...........................................................................8-23
Inflight Fire .............................................................................................................................................8-24
Emergency Equipment & Survival Gear ....................................................................................................8-25
Survival Gear Checklists ........................................................................................................................8-25
Food & Water .........................................................................................................................................8-25
Clothing ..................................................................................................................................................8-25
Communication ......................................................................................................................................8-25
Navigation Equipment ............................................................................................................................8-26
Medical Equipment ................................................................................................................................8-26
Stowage .................................................................................................................................................8-26
Parachute ...............................................................................................................................................8-26
Chapter Summary .....................................................................................................................................8-26
Chapter 9: Glider Flight & Weather
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................9-1
The Atmosphere ..........................................................................................................................................9-1
Composition .............................................................................................................................................9-2
Atmospheric Measurements ....................................................................................................................9-2
Ideal Gas Law ..........................................................................................................................................9-3
Standard Atmosphere ..............................................................................................................................9-3
Layers of the Atmosphere ........................................................................................................................9-4
Scale of Weather Events .............................................................................................................................9-5
Thermals .....................................................................................................................................................9-6
Thermal Shape & Structure .....................................................................................................................9-6
Air Masses Conducive to Thermal Soaring ...............................................................................................9-10
Cloud Streets ......................................................................................................................................... 9-11
Cloud Streets ......................................................................................................................................... 9-11
Thunderstorms .......................................................................................................................................9-12
Weather for Slope Soaring ........................................................................................................................9-15
Mountain Waves ....................................................................................................................................9-18
Mechanism for Wave Formation ............................................................................................................9-19
Convergence Lift ....................................................................................................................................9-23
Obtaining Weather Information .................................................................................................................9-25
Preflight Weather Briefing ......................................................................................................................9-25
Weather-Related Information .................................................................................................................9-27
Interpreting Weather Charts, Reports, & Forecasts ..................................................................................9-27
Chapter Summary .....................................................................................................................................9-27
Chapter 10: Soaring Techniques
Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................10-1
Thermal Soaring ........................................................................................................................................10-1
Inside a Thermal ....................................................................................................................................10-6
Collision Avoidance ..............................................................................................................................10-10
Exiting a Thermal ................................................................................................................................. 10-11
Managing Expectations ........................................................................................................................10-12
Ridge/Slope Soaring ...............................................................................................................................10-12
Traps ....................................................................................................................................................10-13
Procedures for Safe Flying ..................................................................................................................10-15
Bowls & Spurs ......................................................................................................................................10-16
Slope Lift & Thermalling .......................................................................................................................10-17
Obstructions .........................................................................................................................................10-18
Tips & Techniques ................................................................................................................................10-18
Wave Soaring ..........................................................................................................................................10-21
Preflight Preparation ............................................................................................................................10-21
Getting into the Wave ...........................................................................................................................10-22
Flying in the Wave ................................................................................................................................10-25
Soaring Convergence Zones ...............................................................................................................10-28
Combined Sources of Updrafts ............................................................................................................10-29
Chapter Summary ...................................................................................................................................10-29
Chapter 11: Cross-Country Soaring
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 11-1
Flight Preparation & Planning ................................................................................................................... 11-1
Getting Ready for Cross-Country Glider Flights .................................................................................... 11-1
Finalizing plans ......................................................................................................................................11-4
Personal & Special Equipment .................................................................................................................. 11-5
Navigation ................................................................................................................................................. 11-7
A Sample Cross-Country Flight .............................................................................................................. 11-7
Navigation Using GPS .........................................................................................................................11-10
Cross-Country Techniques ......................................................................................................................11-10
Soaring Faster & Farther ......................................................................................................................... 11-12
Height Bands ....................................................................................................................................... 11-12
Tips & Techniques ................................................................................................................................11-15
Special Situations .................................................................................................................................... 11-16
Course Deviations ................................................................................................................................ 11-16
Lost Procedures ...................................................................................................................................11-17
Cross-Country Flight in a Self-Launching Glider .....................................................................................11-18
High-Performance Glider Operations & Considerations ......................................................................... 11-19
Glider Complexity .................................................................................................................................11-19
Water Ballast ........................................................................................................................................11-19
Cross-Country Flight Using Other Lift Sources .......................................................................................11-19
Chapter Summary ...................................................................................................................................11-20
Chapter 12: Aerotow
Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................12-1
Equipment Inspections & Operational Checks ..........................................................................................12-1
Tow Hook ...............................................................................................................................................12-1
Tow Ring Inspection ...............................................................................................................................12-3
Tow Rope Inspection ..............................................................................................................................12-3
Abort Briefing .........................................................................................................................................12-3
On the Airport .........................................................................................................................................12-4
Ground Signals .........................................................................................................................................12-4
Takeoff & Climb .........................................................................................................................................12-4
Tow Positions, Turns, & Release ...............................................................................................................12-6
Glider Tow Positions...............................................................................................................................12-6
Turns on Tow ..........................................................................................................................................12-7
Approaching a Thermal ..........................................................................................................................12-7
Release ..................................................................................................................................................12-7
Descent, Approach, & Landing ..................................................................................................................12-8
Descent ..................................................................................................................................................12-8
Approach & Landing ..............................................................................................................................12-9
Cross-Country Aerotow .............................................................................................................................12-9
Emergencies ...........................................................................................................................................12-10
Takeoff Emergencies............................................................................................................................12-10
Airborne Emergencies ......................................................................................................................... 12-11
Chapter Summary ...................................................................................................................................12-13
Chapter 13: Human Factors
Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................13-1
Recognizing Hazardous Attitudes .............................................................................................................13-1
Complacency .........................................................................................................................................13-1
Indiscipline .............................................................................................................................................13-2
Overconfidence ......................................................................................................................................13-2
Pilot Error ..................................................................................................................................................13-2
Types of Errors .......................................................................................................................................13-2
Fatigue ...................................................................................................................................................13-3
Hyperventilation .....................................................................................................................................13-4
Hypoxia ..................................................................................................................................................13-4
Symptoms of Hypoxia ............................................................................................................................13-5
Inner Ear Discomfort ..............................................................................................................................13-6
Scuba Diving ..........................................................................................................................................13-7
Spatial Disorientation .............................................................................................................................13-7
Dehydration ............................................................................................................................................13-8
Heatstroke ..............................................................................................................................................13-8
Cold Weather .........................................................................................................................................13-8
Cabin Management & Equipment .............................................................................................................13-9
Parachute ...............................................................................................................................................13-9
Supplemental Oxygen ............................................................................................................................13-9
Risk Management ...................................................................................................................................13-12
Safety Management System (SMS) .....................................................................................................13-12
Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM) ..................................................................................................13-12
Analysis of Previous Accidents ...............................................................................................................13-13
Chapter Summary ...................................................................................................................................13-14
Glossary .......................................................................................................................................G-1