Simviation Forums

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

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.

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 )

Mark

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!!

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.

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 !

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

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  :)

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.

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...


Charlie

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.

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

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...

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  ;)  :)

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...

Charlie

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