I thought I might share my great experience today on the V. We were doing an Air Experience Flight with cadets at DCAE Cosford which we typically do every few months or so. This time was my 5th flight doing AEF and I was in the first group to get up in the skies.

I was quite fortunate as the weather was going to get worse later in the day. Currently we had a nice clear spot in the sky perfect for some aerobatics.

I climbed to about 5000 feet and held it there whilst getting lined up in the clearest part of the sky... Then to my amazement the pilot told me that he would teach me to do the aerobatics myself. I've done aerobatics before, but never actually performed them by myself! I was really looking forward to it as it is a lot more fun when done yourself.

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 

Next we did the same start up but this time a barrel roll. So pitching up and then rolling it around. I don't think I quite made the same heading that we started on, but it was also good fun.

Lastly we did one of my favourite aerobatic moves... The half cuban. Not the trickies nor the most extreme move you can do, but it was still fun none the less. Again diving to pick up speed, pulling up (pitching to about 45 degrees or so), holding it there for a second then yanking the controls down to the bottom left corner and flipping it around. I don't think I did this one with quite as much grace as the others but it turned out quite alright and it was a great flight indeed.


I'm still buzzing a bit 

It has definately reminded me as to why I want to become a pilot in the first place too. It was a really great flight indeed. Only 25-30 mins or so, but a lot of flying on my part and some fun turbulance on take offs and landings.

Cheers.

masmith wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2009 at 3:15pm:



130 IIRC.

Yeah I'm sure you can do it at lower speeds but probably just those extra few knots gave me a little longer to fit the loop into.

I've applied for my gliding scholarship... I did the first 2 GICs but as neccesary as they may be, I think I did most of the GIC course in my first AEF flight!

The Vigilant is a fun little glider but I am a man made for 'real' powered flight  

Pffft... Engines!

You don't need those to do aerobatics!... Nothing beats the eerily silence and creaking of the airframe at the top of the loop! 

olderndirt wrote on Aug 24^th, 2009 at 7:30pm:


....to me, the comforting sound of a combustion engine generally means that I am very likely to survive the flight!...... ...!

Paul...G-BPLF... ... ...!

Glad you enjoyed your experience.

Not sure I understand why you think gliding is any more daring than powered flight. Also, why doing aerobatics in a glider requires more talent than in any other type of aeroplane. It's all a matter of proper tuition.

My opinion on this is no secret. I firmly believe that a gliding course should be a mandatory requirement before taking PPL instruction. Then we might have pilots that actually know how to fly.

Aerobatics are the easy part! Getting the height to do them is the difficult bit!

I agree with Hagar. All pilots should have some gliding tuition just so they can experience flying in its natural form.

With regards to the Vigi and Viking wings they most certainly wont just snap off! They may look flimsy, but they aren't 'alf strong! It would take a whole lot to break one from over straining the airframe. But we do like to tell cadets the opposite just to scare them!

Both the Viking and Vigilant are fully capable of aerobatics... In the civy world there is no real restriction on the aerobatics they can perform.

The Viking is capable of pulling -3g to 6.5g... However to preserve the airframe HQAC have limited them from 0g to 3.5g. They can only perform loops, chandelles and spins but there are talks of them introducing barrel rolls. They also brought the VNE back from 135kts to 119kts. Which in itself means you can't really exceed 4g anyway, even using full control deflection at max chuff (Which isn't even allowed).

When the Vigi was brought in it was tested for its aerobatic capability but HQAC deemed it unnecessary and there was high risk that under experienced pilots would overspeed the engine and cause damage worth too much £££!

5th flight! Wow i got to fly aerobatic maneuvers on my second flight! Just ask and usually they oblige

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

masmith wrote on Aug 26^th, 2009 at 1:33pm:



Blimey. How the memory fades. Could have sworn it was 130!

Ah well, can't argue with the book. Mind you, I have my excuse; over 3 years since I flew a Tutor!

machineman9 wrote on Aug 26^th, 2009 at 3:33pm:


You could probably do it down around 100 fairly easily - it wouldn't look good though!