Slingsby Type 31/ Cadet TX Mk.3
Dave.
Nice !
Note the wool tuff is straight back indicating co-ordinated flight. This is the mark of a proficient pilot as the tendency for inexperienced pilots is to unconsciously yaw away from lead.
The best way to maintain your line when flying formation in a glider is for the lead to set up a glide so that you need a little spoiler to maintain position. That way if you fall back you close the spoiler and if you are moving up you add more spoiler
Nice !
Note the wool tuff is straight back indicating co-ordinated flight. This is the mark of a proficient pilot as the tendency for inexperienced pilots is to unconsciously yaw away from lead.
The best way to maintain your line when flying formation in a glider is for the lead to set up a glide so that you need a little spoiler to maintain position. That way if you fall back you close the spoiler and if you are moving up you add more spoiler
Last edited by Big Pistons Forever; 13th Jan 2019 at 16:53. Reason: Added a compliment
First solo, Mk3, July 1976, RAF West Malling, after 19 dual launches (19 x 3 minute circuits - 57 minutes to solo!!)
Still remember talking to myself out loud all the way round.
Still remember talking to myself out loud all the way round.
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615 VGS still (I think) holds the world record for training launches (on the longest day of the year) - 615 launches using three MkIII and two T21b... Clive Watson organised the dawn to dusk event, a rota enabled staffing with rest periods etc. We built up to “the longest day” with a couple of practice days.i don’t recall any breakages... My contribution on “the longest day” to the total? 42 launches...
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What was the camera ship Dave?
Thread Starter
The BGC's EuroFox Treaders - ably flown by a mate who used to instruct on Phantoms and Tornados. He always flies a nice smooth lead and I do my best to follow. Its not that easy, because if either of us cock it up the rejoin takes time, time I usually don't have (and - as you can imagine -particularly in the T.31!)
Thanks.
I guess I extrapolated from my personal experience without justification?
I was at Ouston for the A & B certificate and they operated only the T.21 for the few days (5?) I was there. Unfortunately
we were not able to finish and I only did one solo. I then went elsewhere a few months later and did another entire A & B course on the T.31 Tandem Tutor.
The T.31 had a much inferior glide ratio and I seem to recall that circuits lasted barely three minutes as opposed to almost five for the T.21 Sedbergh. On an early T.31 landing the instructor was horrified when I gently extended the spoilers to (quite appropriately I thought) steepen the descent as I had been instructed on the T.21. There was no drama and as I recall, after I landed I was asked "Did I tell you to use the spoilers?". I was told not to use them again.
I guess I extrapolated from my personal experience without justification?
I was at Ouston for the A & B certificate and they operated only the T.21 for the few days (5?) I was there. Unfortunately
we were not able to finish and I only did one solo. I then went elsewhere a few months later and did another entire A & B course on the T.31 Tandem Tutor.The T.31 had a much inferior glide ratio and I seem to recall that circuits lasted barely three minutes as opposed to almost five for the T.21 Sedbergh. On an early T.31 landing the instructor was horrified when I gently extended the spoilers to (quite appropriately I thought) steepen the descent as I had been instructed on the T.21. There was no drama and as I recall, after I landed I was asked "Did I tell you to use the spoilers?". I was told not to use them again.
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Thanks Dave!
(30 seconds in a club owned T-21 when I was about 6 or 7 - cable break! Can't recall going up in it again but may have done...)
(30 seconds in a club owned T-21 when I was about 6 or 7 - cable break! Can't recall going up in it again but may have done...)
Last edited by treadigraph; 13th Jan 2019 at 21:32.
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621 Historic Flight preserving our heritage for the next generation. Now active again at Sandhill Farm although this photo was taken at Hullavington.
Thread Starter
Great pics WE992 - fab fleet! Sycamore, take a good look at the pics above of both the 31 and the Lunak, and then explain how you think we could have got them if I was lead and the camera ship had side-by-side seating.
First solo Kingsfield Dhekelia 69.
The more observant of you will note this picture is not of a solo flight......
Last edited by oldmansquipper; 14th Jan 2019 at 10:38. Reason: To put off the pedants
Brain Fade
Having lost all my docs in a house move can anyone recall the moves and swerves between 643 and 644. Hazy memory tells me I soloed 643 at Kirton ? with 644 based at Hemswell. Subsequent moves were to Spitalgate and Syerston but I can't recall who went where. Answers on a post card please I recall one mad day when someone decided to try 3 MK3's in formation.It went something like this. All four cables down, three gliders hooked on. All outs on outer cables with a 10 second lag, both climb as hard and high as they can. Third glider launches immediately falling cables hit ground. by now Nos 1 and 2 are downwind. No 3 aims Aims for 800-900ft tight turn downwind hopefully aiming to catch the two already in loose formation. I was only visiting. It never worked and no it wasn't my idea
Kirton was briefly No 2 GC either before or after Spitalgate was (can't remember which was first) and before the two centres merged to form CGS at Syerston.
Before the merger No 1 GC had been at Swanton Morley since Jan 1962 after its former base at Hawkinge was closed, my brother having started one of the last courses to be held there but didn't solo there due weather so he finished at 613 Halton which was only 10 miles from our home.
Before the merger No 1 GC had been at Swanton Morley since Jan 1962 after its former base at Hawkinge was closed, my brother having started one of the last courses to be held there but didn't solo there due weather so he finished at 613 Halton which was only 10 miles from our home.
Last edited by chevvron; 14th Jan 2019 at 19:46.