First aerobatics!

[machineman9]

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.

[EGNX]

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!

[machineman9]

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.

[masmith]

[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

[machineman9]

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.

[C]

[quote]
[quote]130 IIRC.

[machineman9]

I'm sure it's easily doable at 120, depends how much of a hurry you're in and how far you are willing to stretch the aircarft.

[C]

I'm sure it's easily doable at 120, depends how much of a hurry you're in and how far you are willing to stretch the aircarft.

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