Customer Reviews

Flying by the Seat of Your Pants: A Hang Glider Pilot's View of Life

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's a nice little book, reflections of flying hang gliders and living life. But given such a great subject, the content is a little unoriginal and it never really lifts off. There are some nice quotations and some cute little pictures.

However there are serious mistakes that show a lack of attention to detail -- something every pilot should strive to avoid! Hemingway is credited with a slightly misquoted Ursula K. LeGuin line from 'The Left Hand of Darkness.' Other quotes are not quite exactly as originally written. And there is a huge aerodynamical blunder when she states in words and a diagram that the four forces in glider flight are lift, drag, gravity and momentum. Er mo what? Powered aircraft have thrust, gliders have no thrust. And momentum is most certainly not a force. The force for airspeed acceleration is provided by the forward component of gravity. This is basic stuff, and to have a chapter in a hang glider book titled 'The Forces of Flight' and then get them so wrong shows a fundamental lack of flying knowledge. The author also states that, "I don't know if visualization works" -- well, lots of serious research shows visualization works great for motor coordination tasks, and it is used everyday by aerobatic and competition pilots.

I feel a little bad critizing such a nice little book from what I'm sure is a kind motivational speaker. But it never soars free, and the mistakes and aerodynamic errors are hard to ignore. I hope you find this review helpful.

Flying by the Seat of Your Pants was a great read from start to finish. But, even more important, it is the kind of book you can leave by your bedside and when life, or just the day, isn't doing what you want it too, pick up the book and you'll find something that takes your mind to a different place and perspective.

Ms. Waugh explains the sensations of hang gliding and as you read, it automatically relates to different things in life. I've read some parts several times and each time had another question answered.

I use this book to bring me back to basic principles of what it takes to get through life.

Scattered in each chapter are simple, true sayings that cut through my minds clutter and simplify my thoughts.

To successfully hang glide, you need to prepare and know what you're doing. This book goes through the steps to be a successful hang glider and those steps work to bring success in life.

My copy show signs of being well used. I'll have to replace it soon.