Beyond gliding distance
- stepping out of your comfort zone
Author: Flavio Formosa
English Language
Paperback, dozens of medium quality, full color photos, many
illustrations and tables, 212 pages, Copyright 2008
Dimensions: 6.26 x 9.37 x 0.47 inches
(159 x 238 x 12 mm)
Table of Contents (PDF)
Introduction by the Author
I can’t help being surprised, time and again, by the considerable number
of gliding enthusiasts who end up leaving the sport, after having
invested large amounts of time and energy learning to fly. Most of them
quit without an apparent reason, while still declaring their love for
flying. I strongly suspect that this happens because they fail, more or
less consciously, to make the transition from glider to soaring pilots,
something which mostly comes through the practice of cross-country
flight. This book doesn’t pretend to introduce any revolutionary
technique, nor will it unveil the great and jealously hidden secret of
accomplished cross-country pilots, simply because it doesn’t exist. It
aims rather to be a collection, as logical, complete and up to date as
possible, of the many small tricks which form the knowledge base of
pilots who practice soaring flight with utter satisfaction. It
deliberately addresses pilots who are still building on their
experience, and therefore covers at length a few subjects which are
normally part of the basic flying course. This is done with the explicit
goal of helping newcomers to develop the self-trust which plays a very
important role in stimulating the first steps into the big unknown. Your
first personal achievements in cross-country flight, and a good deal of
fun, are closer than you might believe. If these pages will ever help
readers make their transition towards being competent and safe soaring
pilots, their goal will be more than fulfilled.
About the Author
Flavio Formosa, born in 1962, has been a
Sail Designer for more than twenty-five years. His first glider
flight was in 1992, and since then he has clocked about 1200 hours, and
earned all FAI badges. A flight instructor since 2000, he is a
member of the Instructors' and Safety boards of the Italian Soaring
Federation.
Overview by Paul Remde
The Table of Contents gives a very
good overview of the topics covered in the book. It has many
sections which are unique to this book. The target audience is
soaring pilots that are just beginning to do cross-country flights, but
the book includes many insights that any soaring pilot will find useful.
Note: I'm very flattered that the
cover photo used for the book
was taken by myself (Paul Remde). It is of Tom Kelley's Schleicher
ASG 29. The photo was taken as Tom crossed the finish line at the
2007 U.S. 18 m Nationals in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
Review by Julian Fack of the U.K.
"I have been reading Flavio Formosa's
new book, Beyond Gliding Distance, and I think it is excellent, how
he manages to cover so much with so few words is amazing. ...I
really think it should be in everyone's flight bag, the first modern
gliding book I have seen." - Julian Fack, U.K.
|
 |
$54 |
In Stock |
 |
