Important Contribution To Gliding Literature

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30956, 12 January 1966, Page 9

Important Contribution To Gliding Literature

Q.LIDING is a sport which has an undeniable fascination for thousands of enthusiasts throughout the world and yet there is remarkably little written about it. If for no other reason, THE GLIDING BOOK (Nicholas Kaye, Ltd., pp. 109), edited by Alex Watson, chief photographer of the Sevenoaks Chronicle in Kent, and Richard Serjeant, a pseudonym for a prominent London consulting surgeon, is a book which should be re-

ceived with open arms by those who have experienced the sheer poetry of soaring in a glider. But this is also a book which should appeal to every air-minded person, be he nine or 90, for it covers among other things, the birth of the movement, the

principles of flight, the construction of gliders, training procedures and a very personal chapter on competition and the attraction of record bids.

However, it is substantially different from those that have preceded it in that it covers the contributions made to the sport by the R.A.F. Volunteer Reserve as well as civilians in England. The influence of Mr Watson is clearly evident here for, while being a photographer during the week, he assumes the vastly different identity of chief flying instructor of 615 gliding school, R.A.F., Kenley, at week-ends. His great versatility is extremely apparent for he has not only contributed many of the best gliding photographs in the book but also has written a very comprehensive chapter on A.T.C. gliding and the A and B certificates. This covers the first solo, stalling and spinning, airfield control and instruments. It is well written and easily understood. The book contains eight chapters, written by an impressive team of civil and service experts, each contributor being an authority in his particular field. They are John Furlong, a member of the British Gliding Association’s council. Fit. Lt. E. G. Hart, chief flying instructor at R.A.F. gliding centre,

Kirton-on-Lindsey, Alex Watson, C. E. Wallington, meteorological research officer, Ken O’Riley, instructor to the Surrey Gliding Club, F. N. Slingsby, glider constructor, Capt. H. C. N. Goodhart, holder of the British height record, and Derek Piggott, former chief flying instructor of the Lasham Gliding Centre. Mr Slingsby’s chapter is of particular interest for he is without doubt one of the leading sailplane designers and constructors in the world today. This is an autobiographical sketch on the life of Mr Slingsby, covering his conservative intro-

duction to gliding in 1930 up to the creation of type 52, yet to go into production. At the end of the book there is an extremely useful list of clubs and centres throughout the world. The addresses of gliding associations in 23 different countries, including New Zealand, are contained in this carefully prepared appendix. This book is an extremely important contribution to gliding literature, one which should fill a very obvious gap. It is well written and sensibly compiled but it is perhaps somewhat surprising that it is not written in

a slightly lighter vein for Mr Watson has a delightful sense of humour. In a letter to a friend in Christchurch he says: “I think it should interest New Zealanders as I hear they haven’t got round to putting engines in aeroplanes yet.” It may come as a surprise to him that the Maori wars are now over.