GLIDING is for everyone who has ever dreamt of riding the air currents with the view stretching to the horizon, and with barely a sound to disturb the moment. Written by an experienced instructor, this book guides you through the first steps to realising that dream, and goes on to explore the many opportunities offered by this compelling and exciting sport. Topics include: .A History of the sport from early experiments to post-war sporting gliders .An introduction to gliding clubs, getting started and what to expect .An explanation of how gliders fly, and their controls and instruments .Sections on learning each stage of flight, safety and weather .Ideas for post-solo progress, including cross-country and competitive flying. AUTHOR: Steven Longland's thirty-year career as an instructor has included being chief instructor of the Cambridge Gliding Club and a regional examiner for the British Gliding Association. He holds a Gold Certificate Badge with the coveted three diamonds, continues to fly solo and has amassed 5,000 hours in gliders and flown approximately 80,000km cross-country, both abroad and in the UK. ILLUSTRATIONS: 160 colour photographs & diagrams