Useful Links

Articles

2005 Safety Briefing by Joe Schena

GBSC Pre-Solo Written Test (required as per FAR 61.87(b). Note that an instructor is free to use any pre-solo test that he chooses)

GBSC Student Recommended Reading List

American Standard Soaring Signals

Glider Pilot Aeronautical Knowledge Review

How Far Can You Spit - by © Tom Knauff (reproduced with permission.
Originally published in Free Flight Magazine [Soaring Association of Canada], vol 2, 2005}

NASA - The Beginner's Guide to Aerodynamics

Performance Airspeeds

Ten Ways to Fail a Practical Test (and how to pass one)

The Wave of Statistics by Kevin Brooker

Soaring Badges

Sterling Triangles

Sterling mini Triangle - courtesy John Wren
This course was created to allow students to practice their cross country skills close to home. The distance around the task is 25 k so twice around equals Silver Distance (50k).

Sterling Midi Triangle

A more challenging course - a little more than 50K. The farthest point from Sterling, Fitchburg airport, is 9 statute miles away. In an L23, and on a calm day, about 4500 ft MSL will get you home. This assumes the glider performs at 3 miles per 1000 feet at best glide speed - a reasonable safety factor over the 29:1 (5.5 miles per 1000 ft) factory specification. The calculation is 3000 ft to travel the 9 miles, plus 1500 ft (Sterling pattern altitude (1000 ft AGL) plus field elevation 500 ft MSL)) equals 4500 ft. Naturally, if you have a headwind on the way back, you'll need more altitude.

Articles by GBSC Instructors

Effects of Ballast

Effects of Headwind

Flying in the Real World

Getting the Weather

Proper Radio Usage

Speeds to Fly

Notes on the Knowledge Test

So, You're Ready for the Practical Test. Now What?

Safer Landings Through Understanding Visual Angles by Stephen du Pont (reproduced with permission from the author)

Introduction by Bob Salvo

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