Glider Pilots of PPRuNe
pprune glider piltos
Cut my teeth in a T31 Cadet in 1958 with the ATC(was it really that long ago!) followed by Silver 'C' in 1969 & a last flight in an Olympia 463 in 1972.
Then got sidetracked following the oil & gas industry offshore for the following 35 years until a refresher flight in a K-31 at Bicester in 2008.
Q-Does the BGA have an age limit for P1 solo in a glider in the UK, if so, what is it? (and yes I know I shouldn't even be thinking of doing it!)
with fraternal greetings,
ambi
Then got sidetracked following the oil & gas industry offshore for the following 35 years until a refresher flight in a K-31 at Bicester in 2008.
Q-Does the BGA have an age limit for P1 solo in a glider in the UK, if so, what is it? (and yes I know I shouldn't even be thinking of doing it!)
with fraternal greetings,
ambi
Join Date: Feb 2001
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No age limit, it's on condition. 89 and 90 year olds have been known to be allowed solo after daily checks.
The legendary DP is still flying solo or PIC in his eighties (or was last year), and did a 500km flight in a lowish performance glider a few years ago.
Most cease solo earlier, by choice or at CFI's ruling.
Chris N.
The legendary DP is still flying solo or PIC in his eighties (or was last year), and did a 500km flight in a lowish performance glider a few years ago.
Most cease solo earlier, by choice or at CFI's ruling.
Chris N.
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: South Norfolk, England
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Well I took the plunge and joined the Southdown Gliding Club at Parham yesterday. Only went to sign up but ended up flying as passenger for nearly two hours in a DG1000T (most impressive).
I last soloed a glider in 1989, so look forward to doing the same again soon. Quite a change from the fabric gliders I flew to these glass ones though!
Here's a couple of pictures from yesterday
SS
I last soloed a glider in 1989, so look forward to doing the same again soon. Quite a change from the fabric gliders I flew to these glass ones though!
Here's a couple of pictures from yesterday
SS
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Join Date: Dec 2003
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Some nice pics Shortstripper, and I hope to meet you at the launch point soon.
Should be around a fair bit for the Vintage Week to help out, and that is always a well attended event and always good to be at.
Should be around a fair bit for the Vintage Week to help out, and that is always a well attended event and always good to be at.
Great pics. I was going to bring my camera today but forgot. It was a good day for local flying before the storms popped.
We have a vintage soaring meet June 27th through July 4th this year. Only bad thing is they kick my 1-35 out of its tiedown spot. Oh well.
Some photos of the last one here:
International Vintage Soaring Meet 2005
and here:
International Vintage Soaring Meet 2005
I did a little towing at the 2005 meet.
You can find more harris hill photos here:
Harris Hill Soaring - Photo Album and Graphics
We have a contest July 19 - July 29 too. Another chance to get my 1-35 kicked out of its tiedown. But, it's a small price to be part of such a great club. Here is a contest picture from our home page:
-- IFMU
We have a vintage soaring meet June 27th through July 4th this year. Only bad thing is they kick my 1-35 out of its tiedown spot. Oh well.
Some photos of the last one here:
International Vintage Soaring Meet 2005
and here:
International Vintage Soaring Meet 2005
I did a little towing at the 2005 meet.
You can find more harris hill photos here:
Harris Hill Soaring - Photo Album and Graphics
We have a contest July 19 - July 29 too. Another chance to get my 1-35 kicked out of its tiedown. But, it's a small price to be part of such a great club. Here is a contest picture from our home page:
-- IFMU
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kerikeri, New Zealand or Noosa Queensland. Depending on the time of year!
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My first glider flight, a Kookaburra 1959, age 19
My most recent age 69, my how things have changed............
My most recent age 69, my how things have changed............
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Welcome back from the Dark Side, Shortstripper! Still sorry you had to sell the Motor Tutor but Parham is an excellent place to fly gliders - The ridge in a good Northerly must be awesome.
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Some of you may wish to comment on this;
http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...dangerous.html
Rod1
(ex glider pilot)
http://www.pprune.org/private-flying...dangerous.html
Rod1
(ex glider pilot)
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That was awesome weekend weather for the UK, wasn't it? Real headboiler, and a challenge for our local Interclub Competition, which was held at Hinton in the Hedges ....... (don't mention the parachutists!).
OUR TEAM WON THE DAY! SHENINGON GLIDING CLUB novice, on his very first cross country flying an elderly single Astir, made it to Hus Bos and Pittsfield Reservoir and back, well done Gavin! And the Intermediate and Pundit pilots from Shenners also got round. Many didn't.
Meanwhile, back at the club, visitors turning up to sample the sport, some used to fly in ATC, some are power pilots feeling the pinch and wondering how we go places without paying for fuel. . . .
Of course, if we get it wrong, we visit a farmer. I flew on Sunday with a nice chap from the US of A who used to fly that tin behemoth, the Schweitzer 233 or whatever, in the Napa Valley in California. Dare not go x-country, if you land out you get speared by a grapevine pole. We managed 56 minutes on a winch launch (cost £7) and didn't have to come down. Now I call THAT flying!
OUR TEAM WON THE DAY! SHENINGON GLIDING CLUB novice, on his very first cross country flying an elderly single Astir, made it to Hus Bos and Pittsfield Reservoir and back, well done Gavin! And the Intermediate and Pundit pilots from Shenners also got round. Many didn't.
Meanwhile, back at the club, visitors turning up to sample the sport, some used to fly in ATC, some are power pilots feeling the pinch and wondering how we go places without paying for fuel. . . .
Of course, if we get it wrong, we visit a farmer. I flew on Sunday with a nice chap from the US of A who used to fly that tin behemoth, the Schweitzer 233 or whatever, in the Napa Valley in California. Dare not go x-country, if you land out you get speared by a grapevine pole. We managed 56 minutes on a winch launch (cost £7) and didn't have to come down. Now I call THAT flying!
Well Mary, it was great for sunbathing in Yorkshire although we did manage one contest day in the Yorkshire Inter-Club League. I hobbled down from Ruffirth to the first turn point at Burn Gliding Club but chickened out of trying for the next turn at Knarsborough and went back to Rufforth. The sky was a beautiful blue - all over! My first contest, so quite pleased that I managed to put some points on the board for my club.
Best story of the day was a land-out at Doncaster International Airport (AKA Robin Hood Airport). The pundits had been tasked through the Upton corridor but one ran out of height and asked ATC for use of their nice, under-used runway. ATC agreed. As the glider was on final he got a request to orbit to make way for a 737. Naturally ATC got the response, 'negative, FINAL' !!!
Best story of the day was a land-out at Doncaster International Airport (AKA Robin Hood Airport). The pundits had been tasked through the Upton corridor but one ran out of height and asked ATC for use of their nice, under-used runway. ATC agreed. As the glider was on final he got a request to orbit to make way for a 737. Naturally ATC got the response, 'negative, FINAL' !!!
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Snapper1, love that story! Did the 737 have to go round at Robin Hood?
Did the glider get out of his way after landing?
I went on a x-country once long ago from Aston Down to Great Yarmouth, wonderful downwind dash in a Pegasus; considered turning an oil rig as the cu was marching out to sea, chickened out, swanned up and down the beach, looking at North Denes airfield, where absolutely no activity was taking place. Not switched on enough to switch frequencies, decided it would be ok to land at that sleepy little strip.
When I rolled to a stop, not thinking to clear the runway, a red land rover roared up, 4 very upset chaps jumped out, not to welcome me, but to shove the glider out of the way, because a North Sea helicopter was coming in with only one engine, their first emergency of that year. Ooops.
Did the glider get out of his way after landing?
I went on a x-country once long ago from Aston Down to Great Yarmouth, wonderful downwind dash in a Pegasus; considered turning an oil rig as the cu was marching out to sea, chickened out, swanned up and down the beach, looking at North Denes airfield, where absolutely no activity was taking place. Not switched on enough to switch frequencies, decided it would be ok to land at that sleepy little strip.
When I rolled to a stop, not thinking to clear the runway, a red land rover roared up, 4 very upset chaps jumped out, not to welcome me, but to shove the glider out of the way, because a North Sea helicopter was coming in with only one engine, their first emergency of that year. Ooops.
Robin Hood landing
Mary,
I understand the 737 was not inconvenienced in any way.
The pilots of the (DG505) landed on the main runway and used the first available taxi-way. They stopped just short of the yellow line, got out and pulled the glider over the line. Don't know if/how much they were charged.
Quite what the ATCOs thought of it I don't know either. After all, they are somewhere over in Liverpool and couldn't see what was going on!
I understand the 737 was not inconvenienced in any way.
The pilots of the (DG505) landed on the main runway and used the first available taxi-way. They stopped just short of the yellow line, got out and pulled the glider over the line. Don't know if/how much they were charged.
Quite what the ATCOs thought of it I don't know either. After all, they are somewhere over in Liverpool and couldn't see what was going on!
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Just found this thread, don't usually look in "Private Flying" as my day job is in an airliner cockpit. Great to see!
2800 hrs, 1000k badge. Usually fly comps here in Oz in ASW28 [now my wife's] or my new ASG29.
plus some instructing.
Re taking passengers, down here we usually give a passenger rating to Pilots some time after solo and off checks [we have a different C cert here - and no "bronze"]
See some of you on a flying field somewhere!
2800 hrs, 1000k badge. Usually fly comps here in Oz in ASW28 [now my wife's] or my new ASG29.
plus some instructing.Re taking passengers, down here we usually give a passenger rating to Pilots some time after solo and off checks [we have a different C cert here - and no "bronze"]
See some of you on a flying field somewhere!
Over the Elmira, NY area today:
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proper flying
Just blundered into this too !
SilverC, BI, 1 Diamond.
Having been a tad busy actually making a scheckle for a while, have been starting to deeply feel the itch to do something with my life rather than wasting time at work.
I intend getting on a mission to get a full Diamond in 2010, maybe get towing endorsement to do some tugging to help out, maybe not, we never seem to be short of tuggies ? (not sure why anyone would actually _want_ to fly powered, pull the doofer out to go up, push the doofer in to go down . . in the words of the great man himself . "How hard can it be?")
It seems to be a recurring theme the club politics, to be fair all clubs in all walks suffer this. It's always cyclic, ignore them and get on with it. (often quite hard to do, I appreciate)
started out flying hanggliders, still the best flying I've ever done. Got a bit long in the tooth for that and went gliding (not quite old enough for golf at that point)
Have had some simply stunning flights as P2 with one of the other ABO members. it's like sitting in front of (insert Diety of choice here) watched amazed from the front as we went off "for a wee bimble" he then proceeded to spend the next 2 n a bit hours showing me how to recognise different types of wave, recognising where the good bits were and pointing things out I had never even noticed before, just talking from the back, chatting about what we were flying through letting me fly the whole time, came back to ABO and he told me that was my first 300 out of the way (was too, with quite a margin in there) sadly couldn't claim that as was P2 
Couldn't claim my second 300 either as I wasn't qualified XC at the time, despite profound and detailed explanations (if somewhat tounge in cheek) that I was actually "Local Soaring" the whole time (verified over several beers at the "wave bar")
And just to clear it up, it was "local Soaring" there was no point at which I was under glideslope to get back
Fun place to be with some really nice people. helpful and friendly. scheckles providing, I'll be there next summer not in the sandpit.
SilverC, BI, 1 Diamond.
Having been a tad busy actually making a scheckle for a while, have been starting to deeply feel the itch to do something with my life rather than wasting time at work.
I intend getting on a mission to get a full Diamond in 2010, maybe get towing endorsement to do some tugging to help out, maybe not, we never seem to be short of tuggies ? (not sure why anyone would actually _want_ to fly powered, pull the doofer out to go up, push the doofer in to go down . . in the words of the great man himself . "How hard can it be?")
It seems to be a recurring theme the club politics, to be fair all clubs in all walks suffer this. It's always cyclic, ignore them and get on with it. (often quite hard to do, I appreciate)
started out flying hanggliders, still the best flying I've ever done. Got a bit long in the tooth for that and went gliding (not quite old enough for golf at that point)
Have had some simply stunning flights as P2 with one of the other ABO members. it's like sitting in front of (insert Diety of choice here) watched amazed from the front as we went off "for a wee bimble" he then proceeded to spend the next 2 n a bit hours showing me how to recognise different types of wave, recognising where the good bits were and pointing things out I had never even noticed before, just talking from the back, chatting about what we were flying through letting me fly the whole time, came back to ABO and he told me that was my first 300 out of the way
(was too, with quite a margin in there) sadly couldn't claim that as was P2 Couldn't claim my second 300 either as I wasn't qualified XC at the time, despite profound and detailed explanations (if somewhat tounge in cheek) that I was actually "Local Soaring" the whole time (verified over several beers at the "wave bar")
And just to clear it up, it was "local Soaring" there was no point at which I was under glideslope to get back
Fun place to be with some really nice people. helpful and friendly. scheckles providing, I'll be there next summer not in the sandpit.
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glider12000
Some nice pics Shortstripper, and I hope to meet you at the launch point soon.
Should be around a fair bit for the Vintage Week to help out, and that is always a well attended event and always good to be at.
Should be around a fair bit for the Vintage Week to help out, and that is always a well attended event and always good to be at.
)SS
At the risk of getting ridiculed,
Is this thread for all free flyers?
I.E. Hang-gliders & Paragliders included or should we flexwing, hedge-hopping bags of washing start our own thread?
Started in 85, on a Hiway Stubby. 18 years of happy memories, flying on three continents in and out of competitions, small XCs across the vales and peaks of England, Scotland, Wales, I of M and Ireland.
Hill, Winch and AeroTow (well in the US anyway) rated.
Happy days!
Is this thread for all free flyers?
I.E. Hang-gliders & Paragliders included or should we flexwing, hedge-hopping bags of washing start our own thread?
Started in 85, on a Hiway Stubby. 18 years of happy memories, flying on three continents in and out of competitions, small XCs across the vales and peaks of England, Scotland, Wales, I of M and Ireland.
Hill, Winch and AeroTow (well in the US anyway) rated.
Happy days!
Some Dodgy people on here... Hi Mary just kidding 
ATC 'wings' with 644 GS at RAF Spitalgate in the summer of 69,solo in 21 lchs.
Joined 613 GS at Halton in 70/72 whilst i was apprentice there,got to dizzy heights of P2 (G1).
Didnt fly for 11 yrs (confidence crisis) but resoloed in zimbabwe...21 lchs again (spooky)...could have soloed earlier but they tried to teach me to thermal
(oh how they had laughed at my log book - 330 lchs but only 25hrs TT !!).eventually got the hang of staying up and poled around in Skylark 3b,once climbing to 10,500' agl in a thermal (no baro of course ****)
Back here had std libelle and lots of x/c out of various clubs,i see from my log book that my last solo was 3h 17m in the YS53 in '96.
I really miss it
just kidding ATC 'wings' with 644 GS at RAF Spitalgate in the summer of 69,solo in 21 lchs.
Joined 613 GS at Halton in 70/72 whilst i was apprentice there,got to dizzy heights of P2 (G1).
Didnt fly for 11 yrs (confidence crisis) but resoloed in zimbabwe...21 lchs again (spooky)...could have soloed earlier but they tried to teach me to thermal
(oh how they had laughed at my log book - 330 lchs but only 25hrs TT !!).eventually got the hang of staying up and poled around in Skylark 3b,once climbing to 10,500' agl in a thermal (no baro of course ****)Back here had std libelle and lots of x/c out of various clubs,i see from my log book that my last solo was 3h 17m in the YS53 in '96.
I really miss it