Skip to main content

USA Banner

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( LockA locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Portions of DOT are affected by a lapse in appropriations. Website information may be outdated, transactions may be delayed, and inquiries may not be answered until funding is restored. Please monitor this page for updates.

United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation
Home

Secondary navigation

  • About
  • Jobs
  • News

Main navigation (Desktop)

  • Aircraft

    Subnav: Aircraft 1

    • Aircraft Certification
    • Aviation Safety Draft Documents Open for Comment
    • Vintage & Experimental Aircraft Program

    Subnav: Aircraft 2

    • Aircraft Safety
    • General Aviation & Recreational Aircraft
    • Repair Stations
    • Air Carrier & Air Agency Certification
  • Air Traffic

    Subnav: Air Traffic 1

    • Air Traffic By The Numbers
    • Air Traffic Environmental Review
    • Community Engagement
    • Flight Information
    • International Aviation
    • National Airspace System

    Subnav: Air Traffic 2

    • NextGen
    • Obstruction Evaluation
    • Air Traffic Plans and Publications
    • Separation Standards
    • Technology
    • Weather
  • Airports

    Subnav: Airports 1

    • Airport Cooperative Research Program
    • Airport Improvement Program
    • Airport Compliance
    • Airport Rescue Grants
    • Airport Safety
    • Airport Certification
    • CARES Act Grants
    • Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program

    Subnav: Airports 2

    • Engineering, Design, & Construction
    • Environmental Programs
    • News & Information
    • Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Program
    • Planning & Capacity
    • Resources
    • Regions
    • Runway Safety
    • Airport Safety Information Video Series
  • Pilots & Airmen

    Subnav: Airmen 1

    • Find an Aviation Medical Examiner
    • Become a Pilot
    • International Flight
    • Pilot Certificates & Records
    • Medical Certification

    Subnav: Airmen 2

    • FAA Safety Team
    • Mechanics
    • Designees
    • Airmen Certification
    • Training & Testing
    • From the Flight Deck
  • Data & Research

    Subnav: Data & Research 1

    • Accident & Incident Data
    • Aviation Forecasts
    • Aviation Data & Statistics
    • Commercial Space Data
    • Economic Impact

    Subnav: Data & Research 2

    • Funding & Grant Data
    • Passengers & Cargo
    • Research
    • Safety
    • Technical Library
  • Regulations

    Subnav: Regulations 1

    • Advisory Circulars
    • Airworthiness Directives
    • FAA Regulations
    • Forms
    • Handbooks & Manuals
    • Orders & Notices

    Subnav: Regulations 2

    • Pilot Records Database
    • Policy & Guidance
    • Rulemaking
    • Temporary Flight Restrictions
    • Notices to Air Missions (NOTAM)
  • Space

    Subnav: Space 1

    • About the Office of Commercial Space Transportation
    • Careers
    • Licenses, Permits & Approvals
    • Resources & Additional Information
    • Legislation & Policies, Regulations & Guidance
    • Environmental
    • Spaceports

    Subnav: Space 2

    • Airspace Integration
    • Stakeholder Engagement
    • Compliance, Enforcement & Mishap
    • Commercial Human Space Flight
  • Drones

    Subnav: Drones 1

    • Advanced Air Mobility
    • Advanced Operations
    • Certificated Remote Pilots including Commercial Operators
    • Contact Us
    • Critical Infrastructure & Public Venues
    • Drone Events
    • Educational Users
    • UAS en Espanol

    Subnav: Drones 2

    • Getting Started
    • Public Safety and Government
    • Programs, Partnerships & Opportunities
    • Recreational Flyers & Modeler Community-Based Organizations
    • Resources & Other Topics
    • Research & Development

Main navigation (Mobile)

  • Aircraft

    Subnav: Aircraft 1

    • Aircraft Certification
    • Aviation Safety Draft Documents Open for Comment
    • Vintage & Experimental Aircraft Program

    Subnav: Aircraft 2

    • Aircraft Safety
    • General Aviation & Recreational Aircraft
    • Repair Stations
    • Air Carrier & Air Agency Certification
  • Air Traffic

    Subnav: Air Traffic 1

    • Air Traffic By The Numbers
    • Air Traffic Environmental Review
    • Community Engagement
    • Flight Information
    • International Aviation
    • National Airspace System

    Subnav: Air Traffic 2

    • NextGen
    • Obstruction Evaluation
    • Air Traffic Plans and Publications
    • Separation Standards
    • Technology
    • Weather
  • Airports

    Subnav: Airports 1

    • Airport Cooperative Research Program
    • Airport Improvement Program
    • Airport Compliance
    • Airport Rescue Grants
    • Airport Safety
    • Airport Certification
    • CARES Act Grants
    • Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program

    Subnav: Airports 2

    • Engineering, Design, & Construction
    • Environmental Programs
    • News & Information
    • Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Program
    • Planning & Capacity
    • Resources
    • Regions
    • Runway Safety
    • Airport Safety Information Video Series
  • Pilots & Airmen

    Subnav: Airmen 1

    • Find an Aviation Medical Examiner
    • Become a Pilot
    • International Flight
    • Pilot Certificates & Records
    • Medical Certification

    Subnav: Airmen 2

    • FAA Safety Team
    • Mechanics
    • Designees
    • Airmen Certification
    • Training & Testing
    • From the Flight Deck
  • Data & Research

    Subnav: Data & Research 1

    • Accident & Incident Data
    • Aviation Forecasts
    • Aviation Data & Statistics
    • Commercial Space Data
    • Economic Impact

    Subnav: Data & Research 2

    • Funding & Grant Data
    • Passengers & Cargo
    • Research
    • Safety
    • Technical Library
  • Regulations

    Subnav: Regulations 1

    • Advisory Circulars
    • Airworthiness Directives
    • FAA Regulations
    • Forms
    • Handbooks & Manuals
    • Orders & Notices

    Subnav: Regulations 2

    • Pilot Records Database
    • Policy & Guidance
    • Rulemaking
    • Temporary Flight Restrictions
    • Notices to Air Missions (NOTAM)
  • Space

    Subnav: Space 1

    • About the Office of Commercial Space Transportation
    • Careers
    • Licenses, Permits & Approvals
    • Resources & Additional Information
    • Legislation & Policies, Regulations & Guidance
    • Environmental
    • Spaceports

    Subnav: Space 2

    • Airspace Integration
    • Stakeholder Engagement
    • Compliance, Enforcement & Mishap
    • Commercial Human Space Flight
  • Drones

    Subnav: Drones 1

    • Advanced Air Mobility
    • Advanced Operations
    • Certificated Remote Pilots including Commercial Operators
    • Contact Us
    • Critical Infrastructure & Public Venues
    • Drone Events
    • Educational Users
    • UAS en Espanol

    Subnav: Drones 2

    • Getting Started
    • Public Safety and Government
    • Programs, Partnerships & Opportunities
    • Recreational Flyers & Modeler Community-Based Organizations
    • Resources & Other Topics
    • Research & Development
  1. Home
  2. Regulations & Policies
  3. Handbooks & Manuals
  4. Aviation Handbooks & Manuals
  5. Aviation Handbooks & Manuals

In This Section

  • Advisory Circulars (ACs)
  • Airworthiness Directives (ADs)
  • FAA Regulations
    • Overview
    • Regulatory Consistency Communication Board (RCCB)
  • Forms
  • Handbooks & Manuals
    • Overview
    • Aircraft
    • Aviation
    • Examiners & Inspectors
  • Orders & Notices
  • Pilot Records Database
  • Policy & Guidance
    • Overview
    • Environmental Policy & Guidance
  • Rulemaking
    • Overview
    • Committees and Documents
    • Notice of Public Meetings
    • Recently Published Rulemaking Documents

Glider Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-13B)

  • Glider Flying Handbook (Full book)
  • Glider Flying Handbook Front (PDF)
  • Table of Contents (PDF)
  • Chapter 01: Gliders and Sailplanes (PDF)
  • Chapter 02: Components and Systems (PDF)
  • Chapter 03: Aerodynamics of Flight (PDF)
  • Chapter 04: Flight Instruments (PDF)
  • Chapter 05: Glider Performance (PDF)
  • Chapter 06: Preflight and Ground Operations (PDF)
  • Chapter 07: Launch & Recovery Procedures & Flight Maneuvers (PDF)
  • Chapter 08: Abnormal and Emergency Procedures (PDF)
  • Chapter 09: Soaring Weather (PDF)
  • Chapter 10: Soaring Techniques (PDF)
  • Chapter 11: Cross-Country Soaring (PDF)
  • Chapter 12: Towing (PDF)
  • Chapter 13: Human Factors (PDF)
  • Glossary and Index (PDF)

Top Tasks

  • Read the Aeronautical Information Manual
  • Download the Airplane Flying Handbook
  • Download the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
  • Download the Instrument Procedures Handbook
  • Search DRS
Last updated: Monday, January 13, 2025

U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591
866.835.5322 (866-TELL-FAA)
Contact Us

Get Important Info/Data

  • Accident & Incident Data
  • Airport Data & Information Portal (ADIP)
  • Charting & Data
  • Flight Delay Information
  • Supplemental Type Certificates
  • Type Certificate Data Sheets (TCDS)

Review Documents

  • Aircraft Handbooks & Manuals
  • Airport Diagrams
  • Aviation Handbooks & Manuals
  • Examiner & Inspector
  • FAA Guidance
  • Performance Reports & Plans

Moving FAA Forward

  • Brand New Air Traffic Control System
  • Advanced Air Mobility
  • Air Traffic Controller Hiring

Visit Other FAA Sites

  • Airmen Inquiry
  • Airmen Online Services
  • N-Number Lookup
  • FAA Safety Team
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Policies, Rights & Legal

  • About DOT
  • Budget and Performance
  • Civil Rights
  • FOIA
  • Information Quality
  • No FEAR Act
  • Office of Inspector General
  • Privacy Policy
  • USA.gov
  • Web Policies and Notices
  • Web Standards
  • DOT Facebook
  • DOT Twitter
  • DOT Instagram
  • DOT LinkedIn
  • FAA YouTube
  • Cleared for Takeoff Blog