What Can be Flown without a Licence

[IforB]

john_p said:

IforB said:

Oooh, that looks like fun. There's quite a bit of paragliding that goes on near us. I think I shall go and have a chat with the guys who are doing it. It's something I've always fancied having a go at.

IforB, you ever tried gliding?



As said above you can glide without a licence but then you need a glider, with insurance and CofA etc, and nobody will launch you from their club if they don't know you..

I have, I used to do a bit of tugging in the dim and distant past and had a go in a few gliders at the time. It's a great sport and one I'd thoroughly recommend to anyone who likes flying.

[john_p]

IforB said:

I have, I used to do a bit of tugging in the dim and distant past and had a go in a few gliders at the time. It's a great sport and one I'd thoroughly recommend to anyone who likes flying.

Just thought I'd suggest it if you were looking for something a bit different - know quite a few airline pilots that enjoy flying gliders too, cross-country, competitions etc - you won't get roped into tugging unless you want to

[IforB]

john_p said:

IforB said:

I have, I used to do a bit of tugging in the dim and distant past and had a go in a few gliders at the time. It's a great sport and one I'd thoroughly recommend to anyone who likes flying.

Just thought I'd suggest it if you were looking for something a bit different - know quite a few airline pilots that enjoy flying gliders too, cross-country, competitions etc - you won't get roped into tugging unless you want to

It's hard work flying the tug. Those glider pilots just want you to work, work, work! It was great fun though.

I just never had enough time to get into it, something that I'm fixing now!

[RichB]

IforB said:

john_p said:

IforB said:

I have, I used to do a bit of tugging in the dim and distant past and had a go in a few gliders at the time. It's a great sport and one I'd thoroughly recommend to anyone who likes flying.

Just thought I'd suggest it if you were looking for something a bit different - know quite a few airline pilots that enjoy flying gliders too, cross-country, competitions etc - you won't get roped into tugging unless you want to

It's hard work flying the tug. Those glider pilots just want you to work, work, work! It was great fun though.

Yeah... in exchange for piling up the flying hours for free

If anyone's interested in Gliding I'll try and answer questions. And yes, we are fortunate in the UK in that gliding falls under the auspices of the BGA and we whilst we are certified to various levels we are not licenced as such. That said a BGA Silver is regarded very highly in Europe and you will allowed to fly anywhere following a check flight.

[RichB]

Eric Mc said:

As far as I know, every flyable machine flying in the UK must have received some form of Certificate of Airworthiness.

Yes to bloody EASA standards at increased expense

Eric Mc said:

And the pilots must be licenced too.

Not glider pilots, certified by a CFI (who is a civilian) on behalf of the BGA but not licenced.

[IforB]

RichB said:

IforB said:

john_p said:

IforB said:

I have, I used to do a bit of tugging in the dim and distant past and had a go in a few gliders at the time. It's a great sport and one I'd thoroughly recommend to anyone who likes flying.

Just thought I'd suggest it if you were looking for something a bit different - know quite a few airline pilots that enjoy flying gliders too, cross-country, competitions etc - you won't get roped into tugging unless you want to

It's hard work flying the tug. Those glider pilots just want you to work, work, work! It was great fun though.

Yeah... in exchange for piling up the flying hours for free

If anyone's interested in Gliding I'll try and answer questions. And yes, we are fortunate in the UK in that gliding falls under the auspices of the BGA and we whilst we are certified to various levels we are not licenced as such. That said a BGA Silver is regarded very highly in Europe and you will allowed to fly anywhere following a check flight.

Don't get me started on the "hour-building" nonsense! In my mind aerial work is aerial work, but let's not go down that road! (I certainly didn't tug for the hours I had a couple of thousand already, I just did it because it helped some friends of mine and I'd never flown a Pawnee before, no airline gives a stuff about that sort of hours stuff now, they only care if you can fund a rating or line training...)

[RichB]

IforB said:

Don't get me started on the "hour-building" nonsense!

Didn't mean to touch a nerve, sorry. The tuggies at my club tended to be youngsters building hours to move on to commercial flying. No dig intended, indeed it was meant humorously!

Edited by RichB on Wednesday 20th October 23:46

[jjones]

paramotoring looks fun. went to a fly-in to have a chat with some pilots and to speak with an insturctor. long and short of it was that the weather limitations give you a smaller window than other forms of powered aviation and also ability to cover larger distances is limited. however, the ability to fit it in your boot and take off from small areas is a great plus. if you go this route get proper training (about £800), there is a lot of skill required to handle the wing.

http://www.paramotorclub.org/ is a good place for research.

[eharding]

IforB said:

no airline gives a stuff about that sort of hours stuff now

..there was a time - maybe a couple of years ago - that at least one well-known Irish low-cost carrier did start giving a stuff about those sort of hours, and started sending snottograms to line crew about recreational flying - for one of the local aerobatic brotherhood, that was pretty much the final straw; he told them to stuff it, and went to Excel....that ended badly, so he went back to flying a certain middle Eastern royal family around the place: they don't give a stuff about him flying aerobatics when he gets the chance...in fact, I think it is viewed as a positive factor.

[Silent1]

eharding said:

IforB said:

no airline gives a stuff about that sort of hours stuff now

..there was a time - maybe a couple of years ago - that at least one well-known Irish low-cost carrier did start giving a stuff about those sort of hours, and started sending snottograms to line crew about recreational flying - for one of the local aerobatic brotherhood, that was pretty much the final straw; he told them to stuff it, and went to Excel....that ended badly, so he went back to flying a certain middle Eastern royal family around the place: they don't give a stuff about him flying aerobatics when he gets the chance...in fact, I think it is viewed as a positive factor.

Ryan air complained about people doing out of work flying?

[eharding]

Silent1 said:

eharding said:

IforB said:

no airline gives a stuff about that sort of hours stuff now

..there was a time - maybe a couple of years ago - that at least one well-known Irish low-cost carrier did start giving a stuff about those sort of hours, and started sending snottograms to line crew about recreational flying - for one of the local aerobatic brotherhood, that was pretty much the final straw; he told them to stuff it, and went to Excel....that ended badly, so he went back to flying a certain middle Eastern royal family around the place: they don't give a stuff about him flying aerobatics when he gets the chance...in fact, I think it is viewed as a positive factor.

Ryan air complained about people doing out of work flying?

Exactly so.

[IforB]

RichB said:

IforB said:

Don't get me started on the "hour-building" nonsense!

Didn't mean to touch a nerve, sorry. The tuggies at my club tended to be youngsters building hours to move on to commercial flying. No dig intended, indeed it was meant humorously!

Edited by RichB on Wednesday 20th October 23:46

I'm only joking, but it is something that I tend to try and shy away from in case I end up in a row! If you really want to see a rant, then all that has to be mentioned is the old fashioned "I'll instruct for free" malarky. That really sends me haywire!

[Silent1]

eharding said:

Silent1 said:

eharding said:

IforB said:

no airline gives a stuff about that sort of hours stuff now

..there was a time - maybe a couple of years ago - that at least one well-known Irish low-cost carrier did start giving a stuff about those sort of hours, and started sending snottograms to line crew about recreational flying - for one of the local aerobatic brotherhood, that was pretty much the final straw; he told them to stuff it, and went to Excel....that ended badly, so he went back to flying a certain middle Eastern royal family around the place: they don't give a stuff about him flying aerobatics when he gets the chance...in fact, I think it is viewed as a positive factor.

Ryan air complained about people doing out of work flying?

Exactly so.

On what grounds?

[IforB]

Silent1 said:

eharding said:

Silent1 said:

eharding said:

IforB said:

no airline gives a stuff about that sort of hours stuff now

..there was a time - maybe a couple of years ago - that at least one well-known Irish low-cost carrier did start giving a stuff about those sort of hours, and started sending snottograms to line crew about recreational flying - for one of the local aerobatic brotherhood, that was pretty much the final straw; he told them to stuff it, and went to Excel....that ended badly, so he went back to flying a certain middle Eastern royal family around the place: they don't give a stuff about him flying aerobatics when he gets the chance...in fact, I think it is viewed as a positive factor.

Ryan air complained about people doing out of work flying?

Exactly so.

On what grounds?

I've heard all sorts of reasons given, from the mistaken belief that they are "using up" their hours, to fatigue or simply that they aren't happy that their employees are playing around in a risky environment. (One reason I have never mentioned the fact that my main hobby outside of flying is motocross and other motorcycle related tomfoolery.)

[mybrainhurts]

Tip No Eleventy Three....when paragliding, do not tie yourself to your car

http://corbridge.journallive.co.uk/2010/06/first-t...

Edited by mybrainhurts on Thursday 21st October 00:45

[jenkotvr]

hidetheelephants said:

jenkotvr said:

You can get a rig anywhere between 3k S/H and 7k new...
I fly a Parajet Macro, excellent machine, very robust and excellent after sales service.

http://www.flyvolution.com/range/macro

Wing I used to fly was an Apco HP Thrust which I found excellent (Speed and stability):

http://www.apcoaviation.com/products.asp?section=p...

Piccie of me ready for take off (with my rather expensive Gentex helmet :

How fast can you go? Not very fast obviously, but what sort of ball park? The link you give states a endurance of up to 3 hours; do you actually stay up that long?

Speed wise depends on the wind and conditions etc.....down wind i have had 55mph, penetration is around the 20 to 30mph mark if you have the trims out.

Dont be fooled into thinking you cant fly far on these, my flying buddy flew 80 miles from the Great Orme in Llandudno to Barlaston in Stoke on Trent....get the conditions right with a 10 to 15kt tail wind and you'll go for miles ....

Most I flew was 40 miles from Stoke to Leicester....20 mile round trip is common for an evening flight. Time wise the Macro can stay aloft for 2 to 3 hours, plenty that for some decent XC.....best of it being on £10 of unleaded! Thats it no other cost.

Edited by jenkotvr on Thursday 21st October 09:41

[Condi]

jenkotvr said:

hidetheelephants said:

jenkotvr said:

You can get a rig anywhere between 3k S/H and 7k new...
I fly a Parajet Macro, excellent machine, very robust and excellent after sales service.

http://www.flyvolution.com/range/macro

Wing I used to fly was an Apco HP Thrust which I found excellent (Speed and stability):

http://www.apcoaviation.com/products.asp?section=p...

Piccie of me ready for take off (with my rather expensive Gentex helmet :

How fast can you go? Not very fast obviously, but what sort of ball park? The link you give states a endurance of up to 3 hours; do you actually stay up that long?

Speed wise depends on the wind and conditions etc.....down wind i have had 55mph, penetration is around the 20 to 30mph mark if you have the trims out.

Dont be fooled into thinking you cant fly far on these, my flying buddy flew 80 miles from the Great Orme in Llandudno to Barlaston in Stoke on Trent....get the conditions right with a 10 to 15kt tail wind and you'll go for miles ....

Most I flew was 40 miles from Stoke to Leicester....20 mile round trip is common for an evening flight. Time wise the Macro can stay aloft for 2 to 3 hours, plenty that for some decent XC.....best of it being on £10 of unleaded! Thats it no other cost.

Edited by jenkotvr on Thursday 21st October 09:41

But what happens if conditions change when your up? Set off in nice still sunshine and 20 miles from home it gets wet and windy? Your bksed no?

[jenkotvr]

Well for one you check air met and Xc weather and the like, Checking and double checking the conditions prior to takeoff. The major advantage we have is that we fly when mother nature is either waking up or going to sleep....all thermal activity is minimal.

I know my limits and never take off until im 100% happy that the weather for the complete trip is satisfactory.

I have only been caught once (when i was learning and tried to think...well what the hell do the met office know, its perfect sunny weather ) and i can say never again.

Safety is absolute priority, if you havent done your homework and it turns nasty, you land and get recovery (SWMBO)to pick you up. Thats the beauty of owning an aircraft that fits in your boot.

Edited by jenkotvr on Thursday 21st October 12:41

[Stablelad]

jenkotvr said:

Well for one you check air met and Xc weather and the like, Checking and double checking the conditions prior to takeoff. The major advantage we have is that we fly when mother nature is either waking up or going to sleep....all thermal activity is minimal.

I know my limits and never take off until im 100% happy that the weather for the complete trip is satisfactory.

I have only been caught once (when i was learning and tried to think...well what the hell do the met office know, its perfect sunny weather ) and i can say never again.

Safety is absolute priority, if you havent done your homework and it turns nasty, you land and get recovery (SWMBO)to pick you up. Thats the beauty of owning an aircraft that fits in your boot.

Edited by jenkotvr on Thursday 21st October 12:41

Very cool!

[mrloudly]

Tanarg, coolest flexwing about ;-) Only with a licence though...

Edited by mrloudly on Thursday 21st October 14:26