TheSoaringPage.com
News
Don't know where to start? Look for the green stars.
SSA Webinars: Calendar Link
Words of Wisdom
- The novice will practice until they can get it right. The professional will practice until they can't get it wrong.
- Listen to the birds. They know best
- More Zen, less karate
- Fly slow in lift and fast in sink
- Survival is not about how well you do at your best, but how bad you do at your worst.
- Superior pilots use their superior knowledge to avoid situations that require their superior skill
- You won't get hurt if you land in the dirt NEW 3/25/24
GLIDER SWAG
The Soaring Page Store
the-soaring-page.creator-spring.com
Also see the SHOP section
Custom T Shirts & ApparelContact Rick Schwemmer
Learning/Ground Study
- Sky Sailing Handouts Page §
- This Page's YouTube channel
Airspace
- Airspace for Glider Pilots:
- Part 1:
Classes A-G video
- Part 2: Special Use Airspace video
- Airspace Quiz
- Airspace diagram
- How to read a VFR sectional chart
- TRSA Airspace (e.g. Palm Springs)
- VFR flight near noise sensitive areas (AC 91-36D) Aerodynamics & Turning Performance
- The Awesome Power of V² video
- The Magic of V Squared (article)
- What's so special about a 45° bank turn?
- The 5 Undesired Side Effects of a Turn
- Bank angle & performance sheet:pdf [excel version]
- Glider Flight Optimization for Recreational Pilots
- Aerodynamics Puzzler articles Updated 2/16/24
- Glider Performance Airspeeds
- SGS-233 Polar diagram Updated 3/31/23
- 2-33 Polar Study (excel)
- Glide Ratios (ft/mi & mi/1000')
- Glider wing flutter video video_label Weight & Balance
- Glider weight and balance video video_label
- Weight and balance formulas
- Weight and balance spreadsheet (2-33, 2-32, 1-26, 1-36, G103)
- Schweizer interactive W&B forms
- Weather
- Aviation Weather Basics
- Reading clouds
- Understanding Atmospheric Stability
- Skew-T Intro Video
- 3 Articles on Skew-T: 1 | 2 | 3
- Using the SkySight Skew-T Cursor
- Reading METATRs & TAFs
- Course: Conducting preflight self-briefing for student and VFR pilots
- Thermal Index worksheet Trigger Temperature Ground School
- Gliderbooks Academy (Russell Holtz)
- Soaring Society of Boulder video series
- MIT Pvt pilot ground school (airplane centric)
- Also see Knowledge Test section under Test Prep Regulations
- FAR Quizlet part 1 | Part 2 NEW 4/21/24 Scholarships
- SSA Scholarship list
- Giving Kids Wings Flight Academy Miscellaneous
- ARROW (requied aircraft documents)
- Study Flash Cards by Erik Burrows
- Free Pilot Training youtube channel Airplane based, but good
- Airport markings and signs
- Webinars on SSA.org (lots of subjects!)
- David Nadler's page (many interesting subjects, motorgliders, FLARM, ADS-B, safety, etc)
- See also FAA Free Resouces tab
Flight Training
- (Checklist use, boxing the wake, slack line, slips to landing, & more)
- Construct a Required Altitude Grid
- Warner Springs "Circle Chart"§
- Warner Springs landmarks: Google Earth §
- Glider Checklists
- Before-takeoff Emergency Plan
- What's the worst thing that can happen and how will I deal with it?
- Decision Making in a Glider Emergency
- 233 Preflight Review NEW 2/6/24
- Sample pre and post flight checklists (MS Word)
- Before Takeoff & Before Landing checklist card
- Turn Coordination and skidding
- Traffic Patterns AC 90-66C NEW 4/2/24 Tow & Signals
- Standard SSA Signals video_label
- Warner Springs signals review card §
- Schweizer Tow Hook Operation and Inspection NEW 2/19/24
- Tow Pilot Safety and Schweizer Tow Hooks NEW 2/19/24
- Warner Springs Tow Card back §
- Turning with the Towplane
- "Rock off" examples 1 | 2
- Boxing the Wake (article)
- Boxing the wake
- Actual Rope break at 100 ft (Aryanna @ Warner Springs)
- Tow rope presentation
- Tow Accident report due to glider "kiting"
- Tow release before takeoff
- Double Release Failure - landing on tow
- Warner Springs East Wind Operations Spin Training
- Spin Training Flight example
- Spin video with tufts on wing
- Analysis of an actual Stall Spin
- Actual stall spin accident video
Talking to ATC
- AIM Radio Communication Phrasology & Techniques
- Live ATC.net (listen to live ATC, select "coverage map" to choose airport)
- Many "Talk to ATC" videos on YouTube (here's a good one)
- ATC light gun signals: video | chart | FAR 91.125 | AIM 4-3-13
- Listen to an AWOS broadcast (760) 767–3308 (Borrego Valley, CA)
- Listen to an ATIS broadcast (619) 449–1228 (Gillespie, San Diego) Condor glider simulator
- Condor Website
- Condor Club (support & landscapes)
- Simulation-based Glider Flight Education
Flying in Lift
-
G Dale Presentation Series
- Part 1 variety of subjects 2:20 run time
- Part 2 mostly thermal subjects 1:40 run time
Thermalling
- Introduction to Thermalling
- How to Thermal 1, 2, 3 method
- Flying Further and Faster pt. 1 (page 45-54)
- Finding Thermals
- How to thermal a glider
- Thermalling Etiquate video
- Thermalling Etiquatte rules
- "Cross Country Soaring" Helmut Richmann (pdf) pg 3-
- Circling the Halighaus Way (with a slight slip)
- Sailplane Thermalling Procedures (Soaring Feb 1997)
- When and how to leave lift Wave
- Intro to Wave Soaring video
- G Dale: Wave Flying Lecture :48m run time
- "Cross Country Soaring" Helmut Richmann (pdf) pg 31--
- Wave flying at Warner Springs Video
- California Wave Window Info
- Keith Schwab: High alt. wave presenation | wave soaring notes
- Hydrualic Jump
- Altitude chamber training
Convergence - Soaring in Central CA Using Convergence
- Soaring along a convergence zone
- Convergence Causes ("Air-masses Collide")
- Convergence causes and dangers
- W&W Blog Convergence Line flying Ridge Lift
- Understanding Ridge Soaring
- "Don't Smack the Mountain"
- Cross Country Soaring: Slope Soaring
- "Norm's Last Flight"
- That Beautiful Mountain and her Sinister Trap
- Ridge Soaring Briefing (C Badge item) (draft) Mountain Flying
- Safety in Mountain Flying
Test Preparation
- Certificate experience requirements
- IACRA Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application
- Applicant Checklist PVT | COMM
- DMS Template info for the DPE Practical Test
- Practical Test Standards (PTS) [PVT] [COMM][CFIG]
- PTS performance standards (feet, degrees, knots)
- Steps to a perfect checkirde (oral & flight)
- DPE Corner
- Sample Checkride Scenarios
- Checklist Use on the Practical Test
- Certification of Ground Instruction: Private Comm NEW 4/21/24 Oral Exam
- Practice Oral Questions Updated 4/12/2024
- Commercial Oral QuizletNEW 4/21/24
- Oral Questions (Cypress Soaring)
- Glider Check Ride Oral Prep Ground School (Soaring Society of Boulder)
- Airspace Quiz
- Planning your first cross country flight
- XC Planning Worksheet
- XC worksheet example
- Sample SGS-233 Assembly Checklist (MS Word)
- 233 Assembly Slideshow
- Private/Comm Pilot Checkride Made Easy at BobWander.com Knowledge Test
- Practice FAA Test Questions (PSI exams)
- Practice FAA Test Questions (St Louis Soaring)
- Practice FAA Test Questions (MyWrittenexam.com)
- Sample Questions from FAA
- Dauntless Aviation Test Prep
- ASA test prep books
- ASA PrepWare software
- ASA PrepWare practice tests (offers ASA test signoff)
- Testing Centers & requirements
- Knowledge test learning statement codes
Preflight Planning
91.103 Preflight action.
Each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight.
- IMSAFE Personal Preflight Health Checklist
- OTC Medication Reference Guide NEW 3/24/24/24
- NOTAM search
Easy Notam Search video
- Weather
- 1 800 WX Brief.com
- NOAA Aviation Weather
- NOAA Hourly weather forecasts
- San Diego NOAA Soaring Forecast
- Skysight.io subscription weather forecast
Skysight youtube channel - how to
code for 2 months free with annual subscription - SkyVector.com WX, Airmets, TFRs
- XC Skies subscription weather forecast
- Windy.com
- NOAA Skew T soundings
- GEOS West satellite view
- HP Wren webcams
- Dr. Jack Forecasts Airspace
- TFR Graphics (tfr.faa.gov)
- TFR file download for flight computers
- FAA Special Use Airspace (sua.faa.gov)
- on-line sectional charts VFRmap.com Route Planning
- SeeYou.cloud | SeeYou PC software (flight planning and analysis)
- WeGlide.org | WeGlide Magazine | Documentation (How-to, etc)
- GlidePlan.com (Altitude circle plotting PC software)
- AirNav.com (airport arrival, departure, and fix location information)
Proficiency and Adding Skills
- Things Every Glider Pilot Must Do At The Beginning Of The Season - Garret Willat
- Wing Runner Course | Sky Sailing Differences §
- (ask about local field differences) WINGS Program
- FAA WINGS Proficiency Program (good way to complete a BFR)
- WINGS User Guide
- WINGS Terminology
EZWings.net (overlay for easy WINGS navigation)
WINGS Glider Activities
Glider Checkout Info
- G-102 Johnson Report
- G-103 Johnson Report
- SGS 1-26 Briefing notes §
- SGS 1-26E Johnson Report
- 3 Diamonds in a 1-26 (inspriation!)
- SGS 1-36 Briefing notes §
- SGS 1-36 Johnson Report
- Duo Discus Johnson Report
- Duo Discus Sky Sailing briefing §
- Motorglider Certification Winch Launch
- Intro to Winch Launching Video
- Winch Launch in 360° video video_label
- British Gliding Association: Winch Launching Mountain Flying Go to France and learn mountain flying CNVV.net
Badge and Cross Country Soaring
-
Badges
- Badge Soaring Video
- Badge progress record
- Badge Soaring at Warner Springs §
- SSA ABC & Bronze badge requirements
- B & C Badge duration times (excel)
- Bronze Badge study and test
- Bronze Badge study questions (pdf)
- FAI Contest and Badge rules
- SSA Badges page & application (Silver—Diamond)
- Glider Performance Airspeeds
- Paul Remde's Polar Analysis info
- Fly Faster (McCready presentation)
- Speed to Fly Webinar NEW 3/10/24
- McCready Theory Article
- Using the MacCready
- Speed to Fly (Soaring Society of Boulder)
- "Cross Country Soaring" Helmut Richmann (pdf) pg 56-
- Wings and Wheels Blog (lots of XC articles)
-
Landouts
- Outlanding Techniques (W&W Blog) Part 1 | Part 2
- Landing Away from the Airport
- Off Airrport Landings
- Off field landing example
- Outlanding Compliation
- Actual bailout aftermath presentation
- Warner Springs area landout airports NEW 2/17/24
XC Performance
- Introduction to Cross Country Soaring (SSA)
- SSA Cross-Country Handbook for Pilots
- Air Sailing XC Camp workbook (79 mb zip)
- Dangers of Cross Country Flying (C- Badge item)
- Getting Started in Cross Country at Warner Springs §
- Williams Soaring Center XC Training playlist
- "Cross Country Soaring" Helmut Richmann (pdf)
- Planning your first cross country flight
- XC Planning Worksheet
- Does Soaring Have To Be So Dangerous?
- Soaring Saftey article Read before your first XC!
- Secret Tips from Sebastian Kawa
- Eric Carden's Thermal/XC course lectures YouTube playlist
- Also see route planning section under Preflight Planning
- Intro to XC soaring (recorded webinar) video_label
- How to pee in a glider
- Glider Pilot Pee Systems
See SHOP section for supplies - .
- "The Paths of Soaring Flight" (pdf) quite technical
- Flight Recorders: navITer, LXNav, training
- Intro to Portable Flight Computers
- Oudie Simulator (free download for PCs)
- SeeYou Navigator (IOS/Android)
- LK8000 (Android)
- iGlide (IOS)
- Worldwide Turnpoint Exchange
- SeeYou, (free trial and free versions see here)
- OnlineContest www.onlinecontest.org (free)
- Weglide www.weglide.org
- https://igcviewer.bgaladder.net/
- https://e-logbook.org/
- https://www.soaringlab.eu/viewer.php
Cross Country Training
Communications & Sharing
- Warner Springs Soaring Group § (please join!)
- Soaring the Sky Podcast
- My Episode #88
- AVSC Porch Chat playlist
- Paul Remde's Soaring News Share IGC flight files
- On Line Contest (OLC)- Warner Springs Gliders
- WeGlide | Warner Springs flights §
- SSA WeGlide Subscription
Active Flight Tracking
- PureTrack.io
- WeGlide.org
- Glideport.aero (shows registered GPS trackers)
- GlideandSeek.com
- https://live.glidernet.org (Open Glider Network)
- FlightRadar24.com
- FlightAware.com
Shop
I may receive a commission on the sale of some items below.
- The Soaring Page Store - glider swag!
- Custom T Shirts & Apparel: Contact Rick Schwemmer
- SafeLog e-logobook FREE TRIAL NEW 4/15/24
- Custom stickers and more Sticker Mule $10 off offer
- BlueFly pocket audio vario
- Blue Lizard Sunscreen (doesn't sting eyes)
- Current Los Angles sectional chart
- Sectional Charts
- ASA kneeboard
- Pulse Oximeters
- Fancy Pulse Oximeter with app
- Urine Collection
- BioRelief.com (catheter & bag supply)
- 3/8" inline connectors US Plastic | Cumulus-Soaring
- Urine bags - Restop 1
- Apparel
- Sunday Afternoons Sun Protective hats
- Cooling Shirts (Arctic Cool brand)
- GlideGadgets.com
- Communication
- Handheld VHF radios Yaesu, Icom
- Garmin InReach Satellite Trackers
- SPOT Satellite Trackers
- ZOLEO Satellite Communicator
- Books
- Soaring: Beyond the Basics Dale Masters
- Understanding Air France 447 (My Book)
- After Solo by Tom Knauff
- FAA Glider Flying Handbook
- FREE glider books from BGA NEW 4/15/24
- Stores
- Glidersource.com (soaring classifieds)
- Bob Wander's Soaring Books and Supplies
- Cumulus-Soaring, Inc (store and resources)
- wingsandwheels.com (store and sailplane classifieds)
- soaringxx.com/
- McMaster-Carr (wide catalog of supplies, electrical, etc)
Learning from Accidents/Incidents
- NTSB Accident database search
- Millet Software Glider accident database | demo video
- Stall / Spin
- Analysis of an actual Stall Spin
- Tow Accident report due to glider "kiting"
- Stall during landing
- Weather
- Are Dry Microbursts Really An Invisible Trap?
- Invisible Trap Kills Glider Pilot – How To Avoid Microbursts
- Into the Bowel of Darkness (cloud suck story)
- Landing a Sailplane in a Downburst
- EXTREME TURBULENCE While Towing Through Mountain Wave Rotor!
- Other
- What I learned from Landing Gear Up
- Tow Plane Flies Too Slow – Glider Heavy with Water Ballast
- Minden glider / Jet crash
Outlanding crash (anaysis from Pureglide)
Flight into IMC near ridge (analysis from Pureglide)
Pureglide's Incidents and Accidents playlist
Soaring Saftey article Contest crash anlaysis 1986, David Nadler
Power Pilot Transition
- Transition to Gliders (intro)
- Common Power Pilot Misconceptions
- (Sky Sailing notes)
- Transition to Gliders
- (comprehensive 1.5 hr video - 2nd half is a repeat with no sound)
- Power Pilot's Guide To Soaring, Shain, Murray at BobWander.com
- The Everyday Pilot transitoins to gliders - playlist
Notable Soaring YouTube Channels
- Sky Sailing Instagram
- Soaring Saftety Foundation
- Soaring Society of America
- SSA Webinar recordings
- Bill Palmer (instructional)
- Soaring Society of Boulder (instructional)
- Antelope Valley Soaring Club (porch chats)
- Eric Carden (instructional)
- The Gliding Spirit (instructional & pretty)
- Zak Yamauchi (California)
- Orange Pants (California)
- Igor Volkov (France)
- Rudi's Gliding Adventures
- Pure Glide (wide range of soaring subjects)
- Glide with Tom (Australia)
- The Flyneur - Gliding Stories (France)
- Feyance Soaring (French Alps)
- Stefan Langer (German Racing pilot)
- Juliet Sierra (German female racing pilot)
- Balleka (beautiful soaring videos)
- Cumulus Productions (lots of Condor2 videos)
- Chess in the Air (Soaring tips) blog
- Bruno Vassel (Western USA XC pilot)
- Szybowcem
- SkySight.io (how to use SkySight weather app)
- Free Pilot Training youtube channel Airplane based, but good
- Williams Soaring Center
- History of Soaring in So California
- Let me know of other favorites!
Eye Candy Soaring Videos
- Flying the Convergence Warner Springs NEW 3/9/24
- Wave day NEW 3/9/24
- The Flying Reporter experiences gliding
- The Flying Reporter: Riding the Winch
- This is Gliding
- Soaring in the French Alps Low Level Flying at the Beach
- Gliding Lisie 2016
- ASG29 Takeoff and Tow 360° VR
- ASG 29 Landing 360° VR
- Swoop by for a photo op 360° VR
- Ridge Soaring on NoName
- Ridge Soaring on Hot Springs Peak
- Toro Peak Climb (example of ridge soaring until high enough to thermal ) (360° VR version)
- Soaring Movies
- CloudStreet: Soaring the American West
- The Boy Who Flew with Condors
- Blue Hearts - a film about soaring
- Zulu Romeo -Good Start 1974 World Championships
- Glider documentary "Soaring"
- The Sun Ship Game (trailer)
Soaring Organizations
Glider Ownership & Rental
- Cumulus-Soaring, Inc. Soaring products support and training
- Aviation Safety Reporting System (NASA ASRS) AC 00-46f FLARM
- Flarmnet.org (ID files)
- FLARM.com (firmware | config tool & range analyzer) Ownership
- Tips on Buying a Glider
- Tips on Selling a Glider
- FAA "Plane Sense" New aircraft owner's guide
- Maintenance Aspects of Owning your own Aircraft (FAA)
- Airworthiness Directives (AD) Lookup
(Look under "AD Final Rules", Schweizer gliders are listed under K & L Soaring LLC) - Dynamic Regulatory System (new reg & AD location)
- Preventative Maintenance
- FAR Part 43 - Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, And Alteration
- ADS-B Performance Report Request
- Also see sale, registration, and Airworthiness forrms under Forms tab
- Owner and Renter's Insurance
- Costello Insurance Associates
- AVEMCO Aviation Insurance
-
FAA
- IACRA Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application
- FAA Pilot Records Database
- FAA Aircraft Inquiry
- Aircraft Bill of Sale
- Aircraft Registration Forms
- Airworthiness Certification Portal NASA
- NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) SSA
- SSA Badge and Award Application
- SSA Membership Application
- Aeronautical Information Manual
- Federal Aviation Regulations parts 61, 91, NTSB part 830
- Dynamic Regulatory System (new reg & AD location)
- Civil Aviation Registry Electronic Services (CARES)
- Practical Test Standards Books
- Glider Flying Handbook & Errata sheet
- Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
- Aviation Weather (knowledge)
- Aviation Weather Services
- Sectional Chart downloads
- Aeronautical Chart Users Guide
- Airport Facilities Directory (digital chart supplements)
- Risk Managment Handbook Brochures & Handouts
- Aeromedical Safety Brochures
- Oxygen Equipment Use in General Aviaiton (includes PRICE checklist)
CFIG Resources
-
Tools
- Glider Altitude Grid Calculator (google sheet)
- Altitud grid calcualtor with STF factor
- BFR/Flight Review requirements and sample scenario
- Conducting an effective flight review (FAA) SSA/SSF
- SSA Instructor Application
- SSA Cross Country Instructor Program
- Cross Country Instructor/SME Application Shop
- Mini Clipboards NEW 3/22/24/24 FAA
- FAA Safety Briefing magazineNEW 3/22/24/24
- FAA part 61 Q&A NEW 3/22/24
- AC 61-65H Certification and endorsements
- Aviation Instructor's Handbook NEW 11/1 /23
- Power Pilot Txn solo signoff
- Aviation Instructor's Handbook (FOI) CFIG Training
- CFIG PTS
- Flight Instructor Glider Checkride Made Easy NEW 3/23/24
- Tom Shellnut CFI training channel NEW 3/13/24
- Certification of ground training NEW 3/23/24
- CFIG Training Notes§
- Sky Sailing Knowledge Items§
- Sky Sailing Flight Items §
- WS Instructor Standardization§
- Ask about my CFIG Dropbox folder
