Holtz Glider Training Books

Here is Paul's review of Russell Holtz's two new glider manuals, which the club is currently evaluating. For more information about the books, consult the
website. -- JL

I purchased the new Holtz textbooks and workbooks a month ago online.
From the perspective of a new trainee, I thought that I'd add my
endorsement of his product.

As primary study texts, I have also used the FAA "Glider Flying
Handbook" and Knauff's "Transition To Gliders". I would offer
that I found the FAA book to be very well done. Its full-color diagrams
and layout are superior to the rest. I studied the FAA text and Holtz's
books in parallel topic-for-topic. They were very similar and, in
fact, Holtz's presentation copied that of the FAA text verbatim in
many instances. I fear that he may have overused the FAA book as a
guide while developing his own, but his product is very well
presented nonetheless. Although the Knauff book was recommended by
several at NCSA, I found it shallow and brief overall. This is
perhaps owing to its admitted target readership of transitioning
power pilots, but I found a review of the basics offered by the
other two sources beneficial.

I would recommend the FAA book to new trainees, power background or
not. I would further recommend the Holtz texts, notwithstanding
their substantial price of admission. The concept of separating the
academic material and the flight operations material into two
different books is good, and Holtz's text and graphics are great
throughout. The Knauff book did have some good and unique
material, but I would recommend it as a supplement to the other two for
anyone new to soaring.

--Paul McDonald

Please Welcome Paul McDonald

I am a new member of NCSA, having joined on February 10, 2007. I'll attach two images that may explain my interest in soaring.



In the first, taken on February 23, 1980, a thrilled fourteen-year-old is at the controls of a Schweizer 2-33. I experienced my first and only glider lesson that day, in N2476W out of Sky Sailing in Fremont.



The second image shows me, older and grayer, more recently. I have been fortunate to fly a wide variety of aircraft in that twenty-seven year span, but never did fulfill the early dream of flying gliders. At the time, I could not understand why my father would not let me ride my Schwinn Stingray along the Nimitz Freeway from Alameda to Fremont. I would have done it!

I am excited to finally be able to pursue the training, and I look forward to learning as much as possible about soaring from the staff and membership of NCSA.

My non-aviation interests include guitar and SCUBA diving. I live in Pleasanton with my wife Charissa, and our two boys, Ryan (11) and Michael (8). They all enjoy the rural nature of C83, and I hope that they will accompany me out to the gliderport occasionally.