FAA Glider Flying Handbook, 2024 edition. (Free Digital Download from FAA) [REQUIRED]

*This is the latest edition of the handbook that just replaced the 2013 edition. You will need a copy of this textbook with you as a reference when you take the Oral Exam.

See: https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/Glider-Flying-Handbook.pdf

*Click here to order a Paperback copy from Amazon ($29).​​

​​

Glider Pilot Logbook [REQUIRED]

Click here to order a paperback Glider Pilot Logbook from the SSA/SSF ($8).

*Every new member who joins Sandhill Soaring Club receives their first paperback Logbook for FREE. This logbook will be used to track all of your flights, as well as your total time in gliders, solo time, and dual instruction received.

​

SSF Wing-Runner Course: https://www.soaringsafety.org/learning/wingrunner/wingrunner.html [REQUIRED] *This FREE on-line course must be successfully completed by ALL new members and students and a copy of your Certificate of Completion must be presented to your Club CFI-G at your Seasonal "Spring" Checkout or your first instructional lesson (before you Crew or receive Flight Instruction).

​

FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge [Recommended, especially for aspiring Professional Pilots]

FREE Digital Download: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak

Click here to order a Paperback copy from Amazon ($15.99)

​​

GliderBooks.com Glider Flight Training Manual ($59.95) [REQUIRED]

*The club purchases them in bulk and re-sells them at cost to club members; Check with a CFI-G as they're for sale in the Clubhouse. There's a discount when you purchase both handbooks from Sandhill (Bundle $110).

See: https://www.gliderbooks.com/#!/Flight-Training-Manual-for-Gliders/p/129741364

​​

GliderBooks.com Glider Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge ($89.95) [REQUIRED]

*The club purchases them in bulk and re-sells them at cost to its members; Check with a CFIG as they're for sale in the Clubhouse. There's a discount when you purchase both handbooks from Sandhill (Bundle $110).

See: https://www.gliderbooks.com/#!/Glider-Pilots-Handbook-of-Aeronautical-Knowledge/p/129686874

​

ASA 2025 FAR/AIM  [REQUIRED]

*This book contains both the current FARs and the FAA's Aeronautical Information Manual. 

Click here to order a Paperback copy ($22.95): https://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStore/sep/15207

​

Pilot Plotter (FAA Approved for use in Knowledge Test and Oral Exam) [REQUIRED]

*This device is primarily used for flight planning purposes and measuring distance and plotting courses to/from a position. This used with a sectional chart is also a back-up to a modern Soaring Flight Computer (not to be confused with an E6B Flight Computer), with moving map such as SeeYou Navigator, OudieN, or XC Soar. 

Click here order a Pilot Plotter ($14.95): https://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStore/sep/513

​​​

E6B Flight Computer (FAA Approved for use in Knowledge Test and Oral Exam)

Click here to order a paper E6B Flight Computer at Amazon ($18). [REQUIRED]

*Click here to go to Pilot Institute's E6B Made Easy: A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide

*Click here for FREE E6B Simulator with Tutorial by University of North Dakota Aerospace

**Click here to order an FAA approved ASA CX-3 Flight Computer – Advanced Electronic E6B for Accurate Flight Planning and FAA Exam Preparation ($129). 

​

FAA Detroit Sectional Chart [REQUIRED]

Free Digital Download: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/vfr/

Amazon Print Version ($12.11): https://www.amazon.com/FAA-Chart-Sectional-DETROIT-Current/dp/B01M0OQBOL?th=1

Skyvector provides pilots a FREE on-line World VFR Map (combining Sectional Charts): https://skyvector.com/

 

Click here to download a FREE copy of the FAA ​Private Pilot Glider Practical Test Standards (2024) [Required]

​Click here to download a FREE copy of the FAA Commercial Pilot Glider Practical Test Standards (2024).

​Click here to download a FREE copy of the CFI-G Practical Test Standards (2024).

​​

Private Pilot Glider Checkride... Made Easy! by Bob Wander [Recommended]
A User-Friendly Guide To Your FAA Private Pilot Glider Oral & Flight Test.

Click here to order a Paperback copy ($17).

​​

Joy of Soaring: A Training Manual 2nd Edition by Carle Conway 

*Out of print but used copies are still available from amazon. This timeless Hardcover book does a great job of presenting the basics to pre-solo student pilots and has some good illustrations (Price range: $8-$30). 

​

Soaring Engine Vol. 1 (Ridge, Thermal & Mountain Soaring) by G. Dale: https://wingsandwheels.com/the-soaring-engine-v1.html [Recommended]

Soaring Engine Vol. 2 (Wave & Convergence) by G. Dale: https://wingsandwheels.com/the-soaring-engine-v2.html

​

​Click here to download a FREE copy of Introduction to Cross-Country Soaring by Kai Gertsen. [Recommended]

This essay is a must-read and the "Beginner's Guide" to cross-country soaring. It contains all the rules of thumb and the most important exceptions and lessons you'll need to build the basic skills required to become a proficient soaring pilots capable of flying cross-country. 

​

Click here to download a FREE copy of Off-field Landings by Kai Gertsen. [Recommended]

This essay is a companion essay to Introduction to Cross-Coutnry Soaring by Kai Gertsen; It deals with the challenges of making an off-field landing. It too is a must-read before any pilot considers leaving gliding distance of their home airport.

​​

Click here to download a FREE copy of Cross-Country Soaring by Helmut Reichman.

No introduction is necessary. This was the primer on this topic before Kai Gertsen and others published books on the subject (the most modern treatise today being the Soaring Engine Volumes 1-4 by G. Dale). 

​

Breaking the Apron Strings - Soaring Cross Country by Phil Petmecky (Bob Wander's Gliding Mentor Series)

This paperback book is an essay about the mental aspects of going out on your first cross-country flight and leaving gliding distance of the home airfield. ​Click here to order a Paperback copy from Cumulus Soaring ($13).

​

Soaring - Chess In the Air by Clemens Ceipek (President of Boulder Soaring Society)

This website is a blog and repository for all kinds of essays on gliding, cross-country soaring, soaring safety, etc. Everyone should have this website bookmarked. See: https://chessintheair.com/

​

The Soaring Economist by Daniel Sazhin (World Record Holder, US National Champion & US Team Member)

This website is a blog and repository for all kinds of essays on gliding, cross-country soaring, soaring safety, risk management, etc. Everyone should have this website bookmarked. See: https://soaringeconomist.com/