Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 17, 2026

Glide Path

Glide Path is a novel by the English writer Arthur C. Clarke, published in 1963. Clarke's only non-science fiction novel, it is set during World War II and relates a fictionalized version of the development of the radar-based ground-controlled approach aircraft landing system, and includes a character modeled on Luis Alvarez, who developed this system. It is based on Clarke's own wartime service with the Royal Air Force, during which he worked on the GCA project.

Last revised
May 17, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
145 w
Citations
1
Source
Glide Path
First edition
AuthorArthur C. Clarke
LanguageEnglish
PublisherHarcourt Brace
Publication date
1963
Publication placeUnited Kingdom
Media typePrint (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages229 pp

Glide Path is a novel by the English writer Arthur C. Clarke, published in 1963. Clarke's only non-science fiction novel, it is set during World War II and relates a fictionalized version of the development of the radar-based ground-controlled approach (called "ground-controlled descent" in the novel) aircraft landing system, and includes a character modeled on Luis Alvarez, who developed this system. It is based on Clarke's own wartime service with the Royal Air Force, during which he worked on the GCA project.1

References

References

  1. Alvarez, Luis (1987). Alvarez: Adventures of a Physicist. New York: Basic Books, Inc. p. 110. ISBN 0465001157.
External links