Simviation Forum - First aerobatics!

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First aerobatics! (Read 740 times)

Reply #15 - Aug 25^th, 2009 at 7:07pm

machineman9 Offline
Colonel
Nantwich, England

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Posts: 5255

I did my first aerobatics on my third flight (second flight was a bit cloudy) and my fourth flight was mostly using trim and taking things more leisurely. Besides, now I am starting to feel much more confident behind the controls. Just being able to keep it under control much better which I think reassured me to be able to do these things.

I didn't know the gliders were that capable! Wouldn't cadet pilots have to pass an aerobatics rating anyway before doing loops etc in gliders? With flying you're with pilots who have lots of hours and are extremely capable. With gliding, and no offense but it's just what I've seen, it is typically cadets who have just achieved the required hours and are then let loose. My friend had something like 15-20 more hours logged than the pilot flying him at a GIC.

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Reply #16 - Aug 26^th, 2009 at 4:22am

EGNX Offline
Colonel
643 Squadron
Leicester, England

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Posts: 1683

Sadly in some instances that is the case. With some junior pilots it does feel like they were pushed to the required safe standard and 'let loose' without mastering some of the basic techniques like sharing thermals. Gliding isn't hard, but it isn't easy, however it's easier than powered flight. You have less things to worry about and if you cant find lift then just don't stray to far away from the airfield.

The danger comes when you end up in tricky situations, like a launch failure at 50ft or only having to thermal with 3 other gliders at the same height and maintain 100m separation.

But that is the beauty of a VGS, giving cadets with the potential the opportunity to become instructors at such a young age.

And yes! You do need to be aerobatics rated by Central Gliding School before you are allowed to do them and be at least a C category instructor. It's just a pain in the winter as your aerobatic rating only has a 90 day currency!

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Reply #17 - Aug 26^th, 2009 at 11:17am

machineman9 Offline
Colonel
Nantwich, England

Gender:
Posts: 5255

Yeah when I was in the car to see my grandmother a few months back we flew past a VGS somewhere and there were 3 vikings all thermalling in the same patch with what didn't seem like much separation but was great fun to watch.

With a 90 day limit I'm guessing it isn't really cost effective to train everyone and pass them as aerobatic pilots so often.

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Reply #18 - Aug 26^th, 2009 at 1:33pm

masmith Offline
Colonel
Bristol/Liverpool uk

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Posts: 1267

Quote:

So we dived down to about 135 knots and pulled up sharply doing about 4g or there abouts. We kept the wings level going over the top of the loop then descended back down and pulled up to lose speed and recover height. Then I did the same on my own and I thought it went quite well actually. I think I managed to pick it up to about 4.5g and the view was spectacular Shocked

Quote:

I had a few when I was a cadet I seem to remember that it was 120 Knots that you had to go into a loop at Huh

Quote:

130 IIRC.

Yeh you were right,
it was werid unless I remember wrong I was told 120?

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Reply #19 - Aug 26^th, 2009 at 1:53pm

machineman9 Offline
Colonel
Nantwich, England

Gender:
Posts: 5255

Well I guessed on the g force but the pilot definately said to wait until 135kts.

May I ask, where is that loop summary from? I don't think I've seen it before.

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Reply #20 - Aug 26^th, 2009 at 3:22pm