Builds Plane from Parts, and takes off with no lessons
Most of the early pioneers did similar things, with the additional fun of designing the parts before assembling them! It kind of shows that flying is actually not that difficult.
Nobody really knows the truth here.
I doubt this was his 'inaugaration' flight.
Maybe he had the thing misrigged.
Also a possibility that he had a license but simply didn't bother to get any form of instruction in this model.
The 'I fly one so can fly them all' PPL holder.
I doubt this was his 'inaugaration' flight.
Maybe he had the thing misrigged.
Also a possibility that he had a license but simply didn't bother to get any form of instruction in this model.
The 'I fly one so can fly them all' PPL holder.
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Well my first solo flight was in a hang glider (early Rogallo wing type).
The milkman had bought one - I was an aeromodeller and he thought I knew about flying - so off we went, climbed a hill and threw ourselves off.
I landed safely (luckily), but the milkman hadn't appreciated the term 'positive angle of attack' and slid down the hillside and ended up in a tangled mass of rigging wires cutting himself badly.
My father had said 'under no circumstances ...', but as a 17 year old what is one to do ... ?
That was my first and last hand glider flight.
The milkman had bought one - I was an aeromodeller and he thought I knew about flying - so off we went, climbed a hill and threw ourselves off.
I landed safely (luckily), but the milkman hadn't appreciated the term 'positive angle of attack' and slid down the hillside and ended up in a tangled mass of rigging wires cutting himself badly.
My father had said 'under no circumstances ...', but as a 17 year old what is one to do ... ?
That was my first and last hand glider flight.
Avoid imitations
Spanner,
I went through a similar experience with a Regallo. Thankfully, just as I was about to strap it on, I had a sudden burst of self preservation and decided to allow my friend to have first go. He crashed in a heap, terminally damaging the glider, but thankfully not himself. I gave up the whole idea at that stage.
I went through a similar experience with a Regallo. Thankfully, just as I was about to strap it on, I had a sudden burst of self preservation and decided to allow my friend to have first go. He crashed in a heap, terminally damaging the glider, but thankfully not himself. I gave up the whole idea at that stage.
Spanner,
I went through a similar experience with a Regallo. Thankfully, just as I was about to strap it on, I had a sudden burst of self preservation and decided to allow my friend to have first go. He crashed in a heap, terminally damaging the glider, but thankfully not himself. I gave up the whole idea at that stage.
I went through a similar experience with a Regallo. Thankfully, just as I was about to strap it on, I had a sudden burst of self preservation and decided to allow my friend to have first go. He crashed in a heap, terminally damaging the glider, but thankfully not himself. I gave up the whole idea at that stage.

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It flew and he didn't kill himself. But that was probably more by luck than judgement. But I doubt if this guy held a licence of any description. No matter what type you fly, if you pull the stick back the houses get smaller etc. He appeared not to understand that. He also appeared to have a problem getting the thing to go where he wanted it. Either way, he was criminally endangering those on the ground.
PM
PM
Last edited by Piltdown Man; 16th Apr 2017 at 10:08.
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Megan - That's a pretty impressive display of the flying performance and durability of the old Cub, right there! However, why does "gung-ho", and "Hey guys, hold my beer and watch this!", come to mind?

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Megan: great vid, although it took me a few moments to work out where I'd seen something similar (especially the final landing).
Then I got it...my first glider solo. Ahhh happy memories
Then I got it...my first glider solo. Ahhh happy memories

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Has this event found its way on to the desks of the AAIB or the Aviation-Safety people? It might make amusing reading if the officers are allowed to loosen the reins on their sarcasm and irony muscles.
It's in the USA and it's an 'ultralight' ie what we would call a microlight.
In the USA, you are not required to carry out any training or hold a license to fly an ultralight.
In the USA, you are not required to carry out any training or hold a license to fly an ultralight.