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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  :o

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  ;D

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.

AEF

[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

I would have a bloody Heart Attack if I tried that... ..!

Defying the Laws of Gravity by getting out of bed in the mornings is dangerous enough for me!... ... ... ....!

Paul...going loopy!... [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]...!

... ... ... ...!

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

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

You've gota start somewhere

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!  ;)

[quote] Nothing beats the eerily silence and creaking of the airframe at the top of the loop!

[quote][quote] Nothing beats the eerily silence and creaking of the airframe at the top of the loop!

Some people are, however, much more daring and talented enough to use the environment as their engine.

Sadly I am not, and so I too rely on burning fuel to keep me up in the skies

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.

I think it's just because in powered aircraft you have the engine to take you home. I know engines can fail, but I'm guessing mis-judgement in gliding (coming in too short or too long) occur more than engine failures in flights.

So I just think it takes more skill. You've got to know how to optimise the aircraft in flight. Throttles are quite basic... A push pull which even I can work well (to a point). Using the terrain, thermalling, etc. Just seems more to it and there's no backup engine.

I didn't say aerobatics in gliders require more talent, but probably more caution. Every time I go gliding there is usually someone talking about how the wings will snap off in high g or other aerobatic circumstances. And to a point I can definately see why. Loops and stalls don't seem to be too bad and can certainly be done, but much more than that in something as large as the Viking probably should be avoided. I don't know the exact aerobatic limits of motor or motorless gliders but it probably takes more attention to make sure you stay within the limits.

But I do agree that pilots should have experience at gliding before they qualify. Even if it's just a few hours of teaching then atleast they know how to respond to engine failure issues. My friend had an engine cut out once... But it was alright because he was in a glider    (yes, it did happen)

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

No argument here about gliding being the ideal way to start your flight training.

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