New GFH

Ugh, it still has the simpleton explanation of radius of the turn (fig 3-29). While fine for casual conversations around the coffee table with non-flying friends, it does a disservice to the flying population.

Would be proper for them to list their mathematical assumptions from basic Physics101 (e.g. assuming you can stay in a horizontal plane...)

But we all know we *don't* stay in the horizontal plane when turning. Show me the dependence on the cosine of the angle, the lift coefficient for best endurance, the speed, day-type, wing-loading, aspect ratio, wing efficiency, etc. Then show me thermal profiles to backout the *best* bank angle for maximum climb rate. You know, stuff that glider pilots care about.

....62ft radius, give me a break.

The American Soaring Handbook at least gave the reader the knowledge/education to speak about our craft intelligently. This GPH writing style/method is geared towards... well... sadly, people that don't want to really understand a subject.

The GFH took over 3.5 yrs after I finished editing it...it sat in OKC & DC....however the FAA amended it...they also added items that were not included in the original request for work....so of the items you mention are found in other FAA documents that are supposed to used during training. Some of these are the Risk Management Handbook, the Pilots Handbook on Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK), the AIM, etc....

The new GFH is not a one all self contained document. CFI's are supposed to go to the above manuals as well during an applicant's training. These are also found in each PTS.

As in any new manual, there is always a need to improvement, so, I recommend that for those that would like to see something else added, please send you receommendations and request to the FAA.

FYI....the FAA is planning to update all of its manuals, PTS, etc....approx.. every five years to try and stay with the trend of industry standards.

Thanks Shawn