Search the archive:
YaBB - Yet another Bulletin Board
 
   
 
Pages: 1 2 
Send Topic Print
Went Gliding (Read 981 times)
Jan 2nd, 2004 at 5:15am

Whitey   Offline
Colonel
Scotland

Gender: male
Posts: 2697
*****
 
I wne t gliding with the cadets while I was away! Grin

It was amazing.  Grob Viking.  Don't have my log book right now to give it's number or anything.  I did GIC1 which consists of three launches.  They only last about 5 minutes each, but it's so different to flying a powered plane!  Unbelievable experience.  Can't wait to get back. Roll Eyes
 
IP Logged
 
Reply #1 - Jan 2nd, 2004 at 6:35am

ozzy72   Offline
Global Moderator
Pretty scary huh?
Madsville

Gender: male
Posts: 37122
*****
 
Nice one Criag. What is she like? Just I'm involved in a project in FS9 for one at the moment.
All my gliding was done on the Venture (see if you can find an APC31 to see what that THING looked like Shocked)

Mark Wink
 

...
There are two types of aeroplane, Spitfires and everything else that wishes it was a Spitfire!
IP Logged
 
Reply #2 - Jan 2nd, 2004 at 6:35am

Politically Incorrect   Offline
Colonel
Personal opinion given
free of charge!
Williamsport, PA

Gender: male
Posts: 3915
*****
 
Sounds AWESOME!!
I've been wanting to try it. Will someday!!!
I would like to experiance soaring thru the air without the noise of a engine!!
Although I do like the noise of a engine too!!!
Especially when there are engines on the particular bird your in!! Smiley
 
IP Logged
 
Reply #3 - Jan 2nd, 2004 at 6:41am

Hagar   Offline
Colonel
My Spitfire Girl
Costa Geriatrica

Posts: 33159
*****
 
Well done Whitey. Aren't you glad now that you took my advice to join the ATC? My, you took some persuading. LOL Roll Eyes

Keep at it & good luck. Grin
 

...

Founder & Sole Member - Grumpy's Over the Hill Club for Veteran Virtual Aviators
Member of the Fox Four Group

Need help? Try Grumpy's Lair

My photo gallery
IP Logged
 
Reply #4 - Jan 2nd, 2004 at 10:22am

Rifleman   Offline
Colonel
" Full size A/C are just
overgrown models ! "
Tropical island in the Pacific

Posts: 6622
*****
 
Never done the winch launch Whitey, but I have done two aero-tows to 2000 AGL and as you have found out, the serenity and spectacular view usually afforded by the large canopy on gliders is well worth the trip.....well done !
 

...
IP Logged
 
Reply #5 - Jan 2nd, 2004 at 10:30am

Tequila Sunrise   Offline
Colonel
Nunquam non paratus
Glasgow Scotland

Gender: male
Posts: 4149
*****
 
Glad to see you enjoyed the trip  8)
My first launch scared the bejesus outa me  Lips Sealed
 

If someone with multiple personality disorder threatens suicide, is it a hostage situation?

Thou shalt maintain thine airspeed lest the ground shalt rise up and smite thee
IP Logged
 
Reply #6 - Jan 2nd, 2004 at 8:20pm

C   Offline
Colonel
Earth

Posts: 13144
*****
 
I remember my first launch in a Viking too, at RAF Manston as it then was. I spent the hour before the launch feeling petrified after the briefing, and after it was over I realised it was quite fun...

Anyway, glad you enjoyed it, and where did you do it?

Charlie  Smiley
 
IP Logged
 
Reply #7 - Jan 3rd, 2004 at 7:52am

Hagar   Offline
Colonel
My Spitfire Girl
Costa Geriatrica

Posts: 33159
*****
 
How things have changed. My first launch was in a Slingsby T.31 Kirby Cadet Mk III at RAF Hawkinge, the famous BoB fighter airfield.
...

The good old T.31 had open cockpits & the flying qualities of your average house brick. It had 3 instruments on the panel, an altimeter, ASI & variometer. The instructor sat in the rear seat & conversed by shouting in your ear. You could not talk back - or so they told us. Max altitude from a winch launch was about 700 feet, just enough for a circuit of the airfield & landing. Each flight lasted about 2 1/2 minutes. 22 launches & one day later I had done the required 3 solo flights & qualified for my A & B licences. If you work that out it's less than 1 hours flying. This was in June 1959 when I was 16 years old. I loved every moment & wish I could do it all over again. Happy days. Wink
 

...

Founder & Sole Member - Grumpy's Over the Hill Club for Veteran Virtual Aviators
Member of the Fox Four Group

Need help? Try Grumpy's Lair

My photo gallery
IP Logged
 
Reply #8 - Jan 3rd, 2004 at 1:47pm

C   Offline
Colonel
Earth

Posts: 13144
*****
 
Quote:
How things have changed. My first launch was in a Slingsby T.31 Kirby Cadet Mk III at RAF Hawkinge, the famous BoB fighter airfield.


Shame that when I last saw RAF Hawkinge it was being dug up to make a "nice" new housing estate...
Sad

Charlie
 
IP Logged
 
Reply #9 - Jan 3rd, 2004 at 7:28pm

Hagar   Offline
Colonel
My Spitfire Girl
Costa Geriatrica

Posts: 33159
*****
 
That is indeed sad Charlie. I hope there is at least some sort of memorial.

We were surrounded by operational RAF & FAA airfields when I was a lad. Apart from Shoreham Airport & Goodwood (used a satelliite airfield for Tangmere during WWII) I can't think of one that is still an airfield. RNAS Ford is now an open prison & the only thing left of Tangmere is the museum & a derelict control tower. I don't know what happened to Thorney Island.

<edit typo>
« Last Edit: Jan 5th, 2004 at 8:35am by Hagar »  

...

Founder & Sole Member - Grumpy's Over the Hill Club for Veteran Virtual Aviators
Member of the Fox Four Group

Need help? Try Grumpy's Lair

My photo gallery
IP Logged
 
Reply #10 - Jan 5th, 2004 at 6:18am

Smoke2much   Offline
Colonel
The Unrepentant Heretic
Sittingbourne, Kent,

Posts: 3879
*****
 
Quote:
Shame that when I last saw RAF Hawkinge it was being dug up to make a "nice" new housing estate...


Seems to be a common theme in that part of the world, it makes me very angry Angry
 

Who switched the lights off?  I can't see a thing.......  Hold on, my eyes were closed.  Oops, my bad...............&&...
IP Logged
 
Reply #11 - Jan 5th, 2004 at 11:16am

Whitey   Offline
Colonel
Scotland

Gender: male
Posts: 2697
*****
 
LOL...bringing back a few memories for some. Wink

It was at RAF Kirknewton just outside Edinburgh.  Had to leave Kilmarnock train station at 6am to get there... Roll Eyes
 
IP Logged
 
Reply #12 - Jan 5th, 2004 at 2:29pm

Dan   Offline
Colonel
Meet Bogart! Thanks CRAIG!
Carmarthenshire, Wales, Uk!

Gender: male
Posts: 2053
*****
 
I am a 1st (waiting for leading exam result) class cadet. I went in the summer at Swansea (Wales). Those launches are absolutely awesome! They talk a lot about flying the Grob Tutor, but to be honest, nothing rivals that launch! I too have GIC1, plus basic aerobatics (Tutor). Everybody should join the ATC!
Dan Garner  Grin  Cheesy  Wink  Smiley
 
IP Logged
 
Reply #13 - Jan 5th, 2004 at 3:27pm

C   Offline
Colonel
Earth

Posts: 13144
*****
 
Quote:
They talk a lot about flying the Grob Tutor, but to be honest, nothing rivals that launch!


What do you mean? The immense G of the Tutor's acceleration is enough to get anyone excited... Wink

Charlie
 
IP Logged
 
Reply #14 - Jan 5th, 2004 at 3:34pm

Dan   Offline
Colonel
Meet Bogart! Thanks CRAIG!
Carmarthenshire, Wales, Uk!

Gender: male
Posts: 2053
*****
 
No. Not me. The Gs in the loops etc where pretty cool though!
Dan  Wink
 
IP Logged
 
Pages: 1 2 
Send Topic Print