Flying or gliding experience?
Discussion
RichB said:
ETA: In this video the lady in is quite apprehensive, well OK listening to her breathing very apprehensive, but you will see that the launch is really not hairy at all. Unfortunately on this video the have cloud overhead and release at 700' but to be honest once you're through the initial 5-10 seconds of acceleration and into the climb it's smooth all the way to the top. As you reach maximum altitude off the winch the glider will slowly level out and then release the cable. That's it.
I think I had quite a funny instructor as he said we had to wear parachutes for health and safety reasons (insurance required it), but they would not open in time (due to altitude) so were just nice fashion accessories.I also remember after the tow release he dipped it forward quite a bit to get some speed on.
Either way a great flying experience, and a lot cheaper than Helis.
Simpo Two said:
There's not much by way of instrumentation to focus on. The main instrument is outside - the horizon! And one's bottom of course.
Really? Maybe not in the old ATC Slignsby T21 Sedburgh! But there's enough to occupy a novice: Altimeter, ASI, Vario - mechanical and electric, Turn & Slip, Compass that's 5 or 6 dials some have more. Simpo Two said:
In my experience of winch launches the glider releases while still pointing upwards, so when the tow is released there's a bit of a bang then stick forward and -ve G to get flying speed before you stall. It will catch the unwary but it's only once a flight.
That's very poor flying! 
You always maximise the climb off the lift, if the glider is still pointing up then it's obviously still climbing. With experience you'll know when there's no more to be gained and very gently relax on the stick & pull the release. This is specifically so you do not get a jolt as you release and no bangs!! 
Edited by RichB on Wednesday 6th April 16:55
Simpo Two said:
Fastpedeller said:
Brother D said:
I would say try gliding if you like theme park rides,
That's a no-no for me then 
. Thanks for the adviceBrother D said:
a I like gliding, have 10+ hours in an ASK21, but occasionally would get motion sickness on the longer flights with lots of thermal activity.
Is that as P1 or P2? If P2 perhaps it's because you are not in control, rather like the difference between being a passenger or driver in a car? 
Hey! My flying thread .... took off.... a bit today
Well, you folks have put me off plain flying - I've been in a 4 seater before and I guess from what you've said having the controls will be less interesting than the helicopter was
So, if gliding is back on the menu - I don't get sick sick ever (well, just once, in my rally navigator days) but can turn a little green... I know to look outside the vehicle and keep it under control when it does come on - I'm between gliding and the Tiger Moth type... this is just a one-off thing, whichever I do now, I expect I'll go back and do the other another year anyway!
It might just come down to which is less of a drive away... there's already a recommendation of a gliding club in the Brecons; I'll have to google vintage planes in Wales.
Well, you folks have put me off plain flying - I've been in a 4 seater before and I guess from what you've said having the controls will be less interesting than the helicopter was
So, if gliding is back on the menu - I don't get sick sick ever (well, just once, in my rally navigator days) but can turn a little green... I know to look outside the vehicle and keep it under control when it does come on - I'm between gliding and the Tiger Moth type... this is just a one-off thing, whichever I do now, I expect I'll go back and do the other another year anyway!
It might just come down to which is less of a drive away... there's already a recommendation of a gliding club in the Brecons; I'll have to google vintage planes in Wales.
RichB said:
Brother D said:
a I like gliding, have 10+ hours in an ASK21, but occasionally would get motion sickness on the longer flights with lots of thermal activity.
Is that as P1 or P2? If P2 perhaps it's because you are not in control, rather like the difference between being a passenger or driver in a car? Eric Mc said:
How about trying a microlight? They are quite sophisticated these days - more akin to classic light aircraft such as Austers or Piper Cubs. I was looking at some in operation at Popham a week or so ago and they looked like fun.
I guess you saw the C42 Ikarus at Airbourne Aviation? Good guys there
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Crush said:
Eric Mc said:
How about trying a microlight? They are quite sophisticated these days - more akin to classic light aircraft such as Austers or Piper Cubs. I was looking at some in operation at Popham a week or so ago and they looked like fun.
I guess you saw the C42 Ikarus at Airbourne Aviation? Good guys there
Eric Mc said:
Crush said:
Eric Mc said:
How about trying a microlight? They are quite sophisticated these days - more akin to classic light aircraft such as Austers or Piper Cubs. I was looking at some in operation at Popham a week or so ago and they looked like fun.
I guess you saw the C42 Ikarus at Airbourne Aviation? Good guys there
Brother D said:
jjones said:
Crush said:
I guess you saw the C42 Ikarus at Airbourne Aviation? Good guys there
To be honest, I always thought of microlights as a kite with a moped attached
bearman68 said:
I was up at the Black mountain gliding club in Talgarth the other day. The geography of the place means the altitude record there is somewhere around the 35,000 feet IIRC. Stunning position, and because of a short runway, the gliders have to be towed up. Has to be in with a shout for £100 quid or so.
Cheers
Thanks to bearman, Cheers
, I'm now sitting here (another year older!) with a gift voucher from the Black Mountain Club on the desk, so I will be ringing to book asap and will report back after I won a glider experience day at an Aldershot Army day some years ago.
Sadly, there wasn't much wind the day we went, so we were winched up and then more or less just spiralled down.
It didn't inspire me to go again...
On the other hand, my wife bought a flying lesson at Bournemouth airport and that was really good, flying over the coast, Poole harbour and out to Studland.
It was, I found, a little scary, reminding me of early driving lessons, where there seemed too much to remember to control at once.
I'd do a flying lesson again.
M.
Sadly, there wasn't much wind the day we went, so we were winched up and then more or less just spiralled down.
It didn't inspire me to go again...
On the other hand, my wife bought a flying lesson at Bournemouth airport and that was really good, flying over the coast, Poole harbour and out to Studland.
It was, I found, a little scary, reminding me of early driving lessons, where there seemed too much to remember to control at once.
I'd do a flying lesson again.
M.
marcosgt said:
I won a glider experience day at an Aldershot Army day some years ago. Sadly, there wasn't much wind the day we went, so we were winched up and then more or less just spiralled down. It didn't inspire me to go again...
Sadly that's often the case with some clubs more determined to launch people airborne on poor days rather than be honest and suggest they come on a nice day with blue skies and fluffy white clouds. That is why I have been suggesting people look for hill top sites where they can usually depend on the wind for some ridge soaring. Incidentally flat sites don't need wind it's thermals but that's getting into the details. It's the bumpy bits that glider pilots love and power pilots shy away from! grumpy52 said:
I did gliding 50yrs ago with the scouts ,winch launch in old open cockpit side by side RAF owned rigs at RAF Catterick. Whats the big differences compared to more modern craft ?
You want a big difference to sitting in an old Slingsby T21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsQowfCh6sE
Edited by RichB on Thursday 12th May 23:05
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