Advanced Soaring Made
Easy
Author: Bernard Eckey
Hard Cover, 92 graphics, 55 photos (color and black and white), 173 pages, Copyright 2007
Dimensions: 7.87 x 10.63 x 0.63 inches
(200 x 270 x 16 mm)
Forward by Ingo Renner
Table of Contents
#1
Table of Contents
#2
About the Author
Back
Cover
Gliding is a fascinating sport and without a
doubt the most peaceful, most affordable and by far the quietest form of
aviation. To soar effortlessly like an eagle has been one of man's
age-old yearnings and many thousands of pilots around the world today
regularly experiences exactly this and enjoy the beauty, challenges and
delights of this unique sport.
Gliding means flying modern machines of
great beauty and elegance for hundreds of kilometers (miles) in total
comfort and without resorting to engines. Success depends on the
skill of extracting the necessary energy from the atmosphere around
them. Real determination to succeed is a good starting point but good
progress and full enjoyment requires some study as well. A basic
theoretical knowledge is essential for success and that's what this book
is all about. It not only covers all sources of energy for
soaring, but it also deals with weather analysis, flight preparation,
mental aspects, safety matters and competitive flying. In short,
it is a first class training aid to guide pilots from local soaring to
advanced cross-country flying and beyond.
Press Release
Fast and exciting cross country flights are what most glider pilot
dreams are made of. Others aim for high altitude lee wave flights
or aspire to doing well in competitions. Sadly even to this day
there is precious little literature available focusing on real practical
help and assistance to the ambitious glider pilot.
Bernard Eckey, a German born record pilot,
instructor and gliding coach (now living in Australia) has closed the
gap with his new book: "Advanced Soaring Made Easy". He is
encouraging pilots to move out beyond the circuit area and experience
the exciting world of advanced soaring. His comprehensive work is
clearly written and presented in a very attractive format.
Making the difficult transition from a solo
pilot to a confident soaring pilot is what the first chapter is all
about. Rather than floating around, learning very little the
aspiring aviator can use the information provided and turn valuable
background knowledge into essential thermalling skills. A beginner
adopting this approach is likely to get on a steep learning curve and
will soon enjoy the sport to the fullest. He will find a
fascinating aerial world awaiting further exploration.
The second chapter deals with the important
issue of soaring weather, and especially the prediction for soaring
conditions for the day ahead. By using practical examples the
author makes this difficult subject easily understandable and even
explains numerous other relevant weather related issues such as sea
breezes, convergence lines, etc.
Other chapters deal with such important
topics as flight preparation, safety, off field landings, mental
preparation, ridge soaring, wave flying, flying competitively and
advanced cross country flying with guidelines for proven flying tactics
and methods for speed improvement. The advanced cross country
pilot gets advice on reducing the workload in the cockpit and even
learns about aerotow retrieves, effective use of flaps, etc.
A total of 92 drawings and graphics and over
60 very attractive photos help to shed light on the various subjects.
Glider pilots will find it hard not to try the many practical hints and
suggestions on their next flight and further their enjoyment from this
fascinating sport.
The book was first published in English but
a German version is in preparation. Because the author has
refrained from using any jargon even pilots with a rather basic command
of the English language will find the book easy reading. Pilots
with an ambition to practice gliding in different parts of the world
will find this book an extremely valuable source of information and a
first class introduction to gliding terminology.
About the Author
A 40 year love affair with aviation started for Bernard as a young boy when
he visited a model aircraft field. After 15 years of building,
flying and later even designing model aircraft he decided to take up
gliding and obtained his German license in 1982.
In 1983 his professional career saw him
transferred "down under" to head up his employer's Australian
operations. The truly excellent gliding conditions in Australia
convinced Bernard to become a private owner of a PIK 20 in 1985 and from
then gliding has occupied most of his spare time.
While serving his club as a committee
member, president, gliding instructor and state association delegate he
obtained his "Form 2 Inspector Rating" in 1991 and his private pilot
license in 1992. In 1996 he became a gliding coach and was made a
GFA level 2 coach in 2002. He was later appointed head coach for
South Australia and Northern Territory.
In 1996 he was able to acquire a damaged
self-launching open class ASH-25 two-seater sailplane. Re-building
the aircraft with the help of friends increased his enthusiasm for the
sport even further. Since then he has taken his pride and joy to
many places in Australia and pilots from many countries have benefited
from free coaching sessions.
Over the past 20 years Bernard has retained
his excellent contacts with various European glider manufacturers.
He and his wife Chris became agents for a number of manufacturers during
the nineties. Today they run successful agencies not only in
Australia but also New Zealand and Japan with an excellent reputation
and first class relationships with their customers.
With over 3000 hours soaring in his logbook
Bernard always strives to extract the maximum distance out of any
gliding day. He can look back to an estimated 200,000 km of
cross-country flying. He is holder of all GFA distance badges, has
performed 3 flights in excess of 1000 km and set a new Australian record
for a 1000 km out & return flight.
Although he is not a regular competition
pilot he has competed at national sport class events and won a number of
competition days. He also won several state championships. |
