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Went Gliding

Postby Whitey » Fri Jan 02, 2004 5:15 am

I wne t gliding with the cadets while I was away! ;D

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. ::)
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Re: Went Gliding

Postby ozzy72 » Fri Jan 02, 2004 6:35 am

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 :o)

Mark ;)
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Re: Went Gliding

Postby Politically Incorrect » Fri Jan 02, 2004 6:35 am

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!! :)
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Re: Went Gliding

Postby Hagar » Fri Jan 02, 2004 6:41 am

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

Keep at it & good luck. ;D
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Re: Went Gliding

Postby Rifleman » Fri Jan 02, 2004 10:22 am

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 !
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Re: Went Gliding

Postby Tequila Sunrise » Fri Jan 02, 2004 10:30 am

Glad to see you enjoyed the trip  8)
My first launch scared the bejesus outa me  :-X
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Re: Went Gliding

Postby C » Fri Jan 02, 2004 8:20 pm

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  :)
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Re: Went Gliding

Postby Hagar » Sat Jan 03, 2004 7:52 am

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.
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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. ;)
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Re: Went Gliding

Postby C » Sat Jan 03, 2004 1:47 pm

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...
:(

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Re: Went Gliding

Postby Hagar » Sat Jan 03, 2004 7:28 pm

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.

Last edited by Hagar on Mon Jan 05, 2004 8:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Went Gliding

Postby Smoke2much » Mon Jan 05, 2004 6:18 am


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 >:(
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Re: Went Gliding

Postby Whitey » Mon Jan 05, 2004 11:16 am

LOL...bringing back a few memories for some. ;)

It was at RAF Kirknewton just outside Edinburgh.  Had to leave Kilmarnock train station at 6am to get there... ::)
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Re: Went Gliding

Postby Dan » Mon Jan 05, 2004 2:29 pm

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  ;D  :D  ;)  :)
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Re: Went Gliding

Postby C » Mon Jan 05, 2004 3:27 pm

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... ;)

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Re: Went Gliding

Postby Dan » Mon Jan 05, 2004 3:34 pm

No. Not me. The Gs in the loops etc where pretty cool though!
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