Discover Soaring: A Transition to Gliders

Sometimes I wonder how certain sports ever got started. Who was the first person to try ski jumping, for example? That "agony of defeat" guy? And after looking at what became of him, why did the second person try it? Who thought "gee, if I tie a bungee cord around my feet and jump off this bridge, I might live beyond reproductive age"? Likewise, who decided that riding thermals under a cumulous cloud for a few hours in a one wheeled plane with no motor was an example of good planning? Hadn't they noticed that paper airplane flights always land hours ahead of schedule? Well, as it turns out, "soaring" is the second oldest form of aviation, after hot air ballooning. That's right; the Wright Brothers performed over 1,000 non-motorized flights before adding flammability to their list of inherent dangers. Nowadays, most pilots approach gliding from the other direction, so to speak, after years of experience in powered flight (thus the "transition to gliders" title). But as we learn in this video, "transitioning" to a glider is not at all easy and there are important differences between motorized flight and gliding. This program tells viewers how to start training in a glider, offers background about the history of gliders, and guides experienced enthusiasts to relevant soaring competitions and clubs. Good photography, crisp narration and a reasonable price make this a solid purchase for libraries with a specific interest in aviation. Aud: P. (R. Ray)