Customer Reviews

Gliding Safety (2nd ed)

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Piggott is of course the world's best-known gliding instructor and this text adds to his reputation. The only problem with the book is the chapter on power pilots converting to soaring - it is simply out of place, and one has the distinct impression that it has been added as "filler" (it's interesting to note that Piggott includes a similarly out-of-place chapter on glider pilots converting to powered flight in one of his other books, Understanding Gliding).

I'm not going to nit-pick the things lacking in this book--none of them are major. Like power pilots and rock climbers, glider pilots can learn a heck of a lot from the mistakes others have paid dearly for. Some of that kind of knowledge is in this book.

But there are also many subject areas that will make you think about your own reasons for flying a certain way. That alone is worth the price of this book.

One caution for new pilots or those contemplating taking up soaring: There are differences in British technique and American technique to watch out for. Making a climbing right turn after release, for example, is considered good technique in Britain but jolly bad form here in the Colonies. Likewise, Piggot and our British mates would have you practice stalls at an altitide that would flunk you on your checkride here. Although Gliding Safety is an extremely useful book, you should get your primary information from your instructor, or materials written for US pilots. Eh, wot?