As a lifelong glider pilot, I found this American version of a gliding day somewhat antithetical to the spirit of the sport I love and grew up with. I have never associated shame with an off-field landing. Perhaps it's the difference between British deference and understatement.Americans apparent need to be seen go dominate.

Just found this by accident, great documentary and interesting because I know many of the pilots and places. Have been flying sailplanes mostly at Harris Hill since 1966.

Wish I had seen this when it originally aired in 1988, that's the year I got my PPL. It took me nearly 30 more years to learn I'd been looking in the wrong place. Motorless flight "is" the dream I've had since I was a child...

Harris Hill - that is where I got my first glider ride. Very good updraft on the hill. I rode in a Schweitzer 233.

Oh wow ! Ive been to this place. A world champion was there at the time. Hank Nixon represented the USA and flew all over the world.

23:00 Probably the best quote of any documentary or movie of all time. I put it right up there with the "Gettysburg Address". I get goose bumps every time i here it. #leshorvath4president

Fantastic, It's amazing how much progress was made in flight in the middle of the century. Progress is so much slower now. It takes a lot of R & D for very small increases in performance.

A favorite of mine, thank you 😊

Loved it!

The B&W footage at 8:30 demonstrating the shock cord / bungee launch method is acutally filmed at the London Gliding Club based in Dunstable, UK.

i like the museum and harris hill

Sailplanes is nice because of their sleek look

Awesome 👌

Love it 😊

Sail Planes are bad ass and beautiful

The 1980s, a soaring decade.

Nowadays, sailplanes weigh half as much and can take off under the power of retractable jet engines, or retractable propellers powered by either gas or electric motors.

Climbing at over 1000 ft a minute is something power pilots need to experience, to believe. A wonderful, and beautiful sport. 69 years old here.

If you look up the word *beautiful* in a dictionary there might be a picture like one of these.

Great

I like the sailplane if I became sailplane pilot I will go Chennai to Madurai 👌👌👌😃😃😄😃😃😃😃😄😃😃😃

Now today sailplanes top speed is 155 mph

1:01 If you push the stick forward, the Aircraft will descend. 1:02 If you pull the stick back, the Aircraft will descend. :-)

is this topgun topsoar

ilike sailplane asg 21 and t49 capstan

Sailplanes are nice 😀😃😃😃😃😄😄😀😃😀😃😀😃😀😃😀😃

I love these old documentaries. Great visuals, long, unbroken video clips, deep, relaxing voiceover. I just love older documentaries much more than most new stuff. Which is a shame. The newest stuff is getting interesting again, but now they all have political stuff shoved into them like poo in a bag. But what was up with that opening music? And why is it always, and I mean to this day, 30% louder than the rest of the show? Lol.

Iam also one day to make a cross country flight

Wonder who the commentator is, it is a familiar voice

I fly superfast in 100 mph

All you need is time and money.

😉

The stuff about Orville Wright is BS, you are lacking in knowledge of Aviation History. Wilbur Wright did most of the flying of 1901 1902 Wright gliders not Orville.