Glider Pilots Stay Up Longer!
What about motor glider pilots then?
Based upon the comments on this thread, it suggests TMG pilots will be bored and low skilled with the engine on, then suddenly become exhilarated sky-gods once they switch the engine off. Schizophrenics clearly
Based upon the comments on this thread, it suggests TMG pilots will be bored and low skilled with the engine on, then suddenly become exhilarated sky-gods once they switch the engine off. Schizophrenics clearly
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Oop North, UK
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In contrast, motor flying is a reasonable reliable way of getting from A to B with the minimum amount of fuss. It's also pretty boring. As long as the engine works you point the nose in the right direction, do a bit of wind compensation and that's it. It only becomes interesting when the engine fails.
THEN tell me it is only interesting when the engine fails!!
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Foxmouth, I fly aerobatics, although in a slightly less capable plane than what UH has on offer. But I honestly could not come up with a good comparison of anything against powered aerobatics.
'Yah boo, you can't fly for a squillion hours in an SEP using no fuel like you can in a glider'
Of course what gets conveniantly ignored is that (for those of us that fly throughout the winter months) for every good flight in a glider (& I have had many) a lot end in a short or slightly extended circuit & the tug that towed you, or the winch that threw you, skywards used quite a lot of fuel or LPG.
R2
Of course what gets conveniantly ignored is that (for those of us that fly throughout the winter months) for every good flight in a glider (& I have had many) a lot end in a short or slightly extended circuit & the tug that towed you, or the winch that threw you, skywards used quite a lot of fuel or LPG.
R2
Last edited by Rocket2; 9th Apr 2013 at 12:14.
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Oop North, UK
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
At the end of it all there are good things about pretty much ALL types of flying, I have tried many, loved every trip and nobody should be going " my type of flying is better than yours" everyone is different, some will love sitting in a glider turning circles for hours on end, others will hate it, the same can be said for Aeros and almost any form of Aviation, lets all just enjoy what we can!
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For me it's always been motorgliders.
I love being able to soar with the engine off, enjoy being able to investigate areas where the soaring conditions look interesting (but normally are out of gliding range) and I certainly enjoy not sitting in the launch queue..............
I fly an SF-28A Tandem Falke. Not sparkling performance (28:1 with the prop fully feathered) but up there with the K13 which is perfectly adequate for the type of local soaring I like to do. Fuel burn is around 2.5 galls per hour - she'll cruise under power at 85Kts (variable pitch prop)............ and as a two seater, nice and sociable.............. On good days I range from North Norfolk down to Essex and across to Bedford and back again.
Bad Days become average days, Average days become good days and good days become stonking days........
What not to like...........
Arc
I love being able to soar with the engine off, enjoy being able to investigate areas where the soaring conditions look interesting (but normally are out of gliding range) and I certainly enjoy not sitting in the launch queue..............
I fly an SF-28A Tandem Falke. Not sparkling performance (28:1 with the prop fully feathered) but up there with the K13 which is perfectly adequate for the type of local soaring I like to do. Fuel burn is around 2.5 galls per hour - she'll cruise under power at 85Kts (variable pitch prop)............ and as a two seater, nice and sociable.............. On good days I range from North Norfolk down to Essex and across to Bedford and back again.
Bad Days become average days, Average days become good days and good days become stonking days........
What not to like...........
Arc
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
what's the point?
Flying is for fun. Flying is for transport. Going somewhere in a small aircraft is certainly fun and a challenge, as long as you respect the dangers and know when to say no.
Aerobatics in a glider or a power plane are definitely fun for the one doing the performing, often less so for the suffering passenger....
Gliding has a couple of extra dimensions, however. Most of us belong to clubs, help out, make friends, better than church any day. There is a social side to gliding clubs that is often missing in power flying, where you rent a plane, pay for a lesson, do your flight and thats it. Good for busy people, yes.
Gliding is more of a challenge because if you get it wrong you visit a farmer.
And your gliding buddies come and get you with the trailer and you all stop off at a pub on the way back. If you manage a decent cross country on a challenging day that is an endless satisfaction and an achievement. Interpreting the weather, reading the clouds, using the thermals, doing some earnest praying when getting low, etc. You can buy a turbo glider/motor glider and skip some of this, which older pilots often do, but I still think that is missing the true element of adventure.
All of which reminds me of a gliding competition from Hus Bos where all the top pilots followed a big cloud street that overdeveloped, spread out, and about 30 gliders landed in two fields at the first turning point. I had been unable to connect on my first launch, had to relaunch, and by the time I got to the first turning point, there I was at 3,000' and the rest of the gliders were down on the ground. True joy and satisfaction!
And truly memorable the look on the Competition Director's face when the chief of Constabulary at Atherstone rang that evening. " The next time", he told the director, "that you intend to have 30 gliders landing in my district, we will require 24 hours notice in advance!"
Aerobatics in a glider or a power plane are definitely fun for the one doing the performing, often less so for the suffering passenger....
Gliding has a couple of extra dimensions, however. Most of us belong to clubs, help out, make friends, better than church any day. There is a social side to gliding clubs that is often missing in power flying, where you rent a plane, pay for a lesson, do your flight and thats it. Good for busy people, yes.
Gliding is more of a challenge because if you get it wrong you visit a farmer.
And your gliding buddies come and get you with the trailer and you all stop off at a pub on the way back. If you manage a decent cross country on a challenging day that is an endless satisfaction and an achievement. Interpreting the weather, reading the clouds, using the thermals, doing some earnest praying when getting low, etc. You can buy a turbo glider/motor glider and skip some of this, which older pilots often do, but I still think that is missing the true element of adventure.
All of which reminds me of a gliding competition from Hus Bos where all the top pilots followed a big cloud street that overdeveloped, spread out, and about 30 gliders landed in two fields at the first turning point. I had been unable to connect on my first launch, had to relaunch, and by the time I got to the first turning point, there I was at 3,000' and the rest of the gliders were down on the ground. True joy and satisfaction!
And truly memorable the look on the Competition Director's face when the chief of Constabulary at Atherstone rang that evening. " The next time", he told the director, "that you intend to have 30 gliders landing in my district, we will require 24 hours notice in advance!"
I remember Mary coming to retrieve me some time last century. I am sure I am not alone. It was a long time ago, but thanks again.
Gliding taught me a lot and not just about flying. At an age Mary was when I first met her I look forward to doing a lot more of it.
Gliding taught me a lot and not just about flying. At an age Mary was when I first met her I look forward to doing a lot more of it.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Surrey Hills
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In 1967 in our 3 novice Syndicate ex Polish AirForce Association Oly 2B I managed 6 hours, most of it with a numb bum. Clouds of butterflies [Red Admirals?] and Lasham was never out of sight although quite distant as I got bolder......
The craic that followed was mighty. The hangover was even mightier. Slivovitz never touched my lips again......
The craic that followed was mighty. The hangover was even mightier. Slivovitz never touched my lips again......
I had an exciting moment in the RAFGSA Oly2B on one of my early solo flights about a decade later. Brakes out and stick seemingly full forward I was still being sucked into cloud under a rather active squall line. After what seemed an eternity but was probably only a few seconds I extricated myself and hung around until the weather cleared. I remember judging the flare was a little tricky as Bicester was completely white with hail stones! With hindsight there were a number of things I would have done differently. But as they say I learned about flying from things like that!
Don't confuse interesting with terrifying! 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Oop North, UK
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Quote:
THEN tell me it is only interesting when the engine fails!!
Don't confuse interesting with terrifying!
THEN tell me it is only interesting when the engine fails!!
Don't confuse interesting with terrifying!
Last edited by foxmoth; 17th Apr 2013 at 22:34.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Essex
Age: 51
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There have been some impressive glider flights so far this year but one that must be worthy of a mention was on 5th April from Tibenham in Norfolk to Redruth in Cornwall. 491km....
In an Oly 2b...!
In an Oly 2b...!
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Kent
Age: 61
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by mary meagher
Gliding is more of a challenge because if you get it wrong you visit a farmer.
If you got it wrong on the airfield you would have to give another farmer, who you knew well, a good "listening to".
OC619
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Open Cirrus, surely we have met before? People reading your post may wonder about our Farmer Paul Gibbs, our Chief Flying Instructor, Landlord, and a wonderful man, sadly no longer alive. When he was buried in Shenington Churchyard, the club arranged a flypast of seven aircraft, including a glider on tow, that was timed for the precise moment when his body was lowered into the grave; our chairman was giving the signal by radio, and it was a very moving event indeed.