Silver Distance

[Graham Hodgson]

What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
50k flight in?

[Vorsanger1]

Hello Graham

I don't know to whom you addressed your question. However, here's my answer: I
did the 50 km (actually, 100+ km, as I went to a remote airstrip, took a photo
and came back to my home port) in a Grob 102.

Cheers, Charles

[Janos Bauer]

Graham Hodgson wrote:
> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?

R26SU Gobe
Just for those who don't know what type it is:)
http://free.x3.hu/tvsre_szolnok/tvsre_elemei/%FCzemk%F6zben/Image39.jpg
http://free.x3.hu/tvsre_szolnok/tvsre_elemei/Image08.jpg
http://free.x3.hu/tvsre_szolnok/tvsre_elemei/vegyes/Image213.jpg

/Janos

[F.L. Whiteley]

"Graham Hodgson" > wrote in
message ...
> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?
>
Ka-6b (no wheel), in UK

Frank Whiteley
Colorado

[Shawn Curry]

Graham Hodgson wrote:

> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?
>
>
>
Ventus b :-)

Shawn

[Jamie Denton]

:-O *coughcheatcough* (joking!)

K-8

At 14:54 09 June 2004, Shawn Curry wrote:
>Graham Hodgson wrote:
>
>> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
>> 50k flight in?
>>
>>
>>
>Ventus b :-)
>
>Shawn
>

[Shawn Curry]

Jamie Denton wrote:
> :-O *coughcheatcough* (joking!)
>
> K-8

Cheat? Bigtime! Didn't even have a logger "Badges? We don't need no
stinkin' badges!" Thinking back on it, my first 50 km + flight that I
recall (actually more like 150-it was a good day) was in a Grob Astir
CS. Given the weather anything more than a 1-26 would've been cheating
on that day too.

Cheers,
Shawn

[Larry Pardue]

On 6/9/04 9:14 AM, in article , "Shawn
Curry" > wrote:

> Jamie Denton wrote:
>> :-O *coughcheatcough* (joking!)
>>
>> K-8
>
> Cheat? Bigtime! Didn't even have a logger "Badges? We don't need no
> stinkin' badges!" Thinking back on it, my first 50 km + flight that I
> recall (actually more like 150-it was a good day) was in a Grob Astir
> CS. Given the weather anything more than a 1-26 would've been cheating
> on that day too.
>
> Cheers,
> Shawn

In the Southwestern US I feel pretty much that way about all the badges.
Anything but a 1-26 makes it too easy. Think of what the gliders were when
these badges were instituted.

Larry Pardue 2I

[303pilot]

PW5
"Graham Hodgson" > wrote in
message ...
> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?
>
>
>

[Wojciech Scigala]

Dnia 6/9/04 1:26 PM, U¿ytkownik Graham Hodgson napisa³:

> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?
SZD-30 Pirat.

--
Wojtus'.net __|__
FidoNet: 2:484/47 `--------o--------'

[Eric Greenwell]

Graham Hodgson wrote:

> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?

Ka-6e. And when I am about to land out, I always wish I was back in it!
It climbed so well in weak lift, landed slowly, and had powerful
terminal velocity dive brakes.

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

[Robin Birch]

In message >, Graham Hodgson
> writes
>What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
>50k flight in?
>
>
>
Astir CS 77

Robin
--
Robin Birch

[tango4]

Grob 102 Astir, same one as Vorsanger/Charles I'll hazard a guess.

If I remember correctly I got 'down' to 4000 ' AGL at about the midpoint and
wasn't sure I was going to make it. I think I took about 20 thermals to do
it too. I do remember the run back from the TP ( it was an out and return
totaling 100km )
I got under a cloud street and in spite of flying straight and flat out I
got back home higher than I had turned the TP. Took all of 20 minutes to
get back after nearly 2 hours to get out there.

Ian





"Graham Hodgson" > wrote in
message ...
> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?
>
>
>

[Paul M. Cordell]

1-26 in Washington State @ 15 years old.

[Alistair Wright]

"Graham Hodgson" > wrote in
message ...
> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?
>
>
ASK 18. Dunstable to Husbands Bosworth. Up the M1 and turn right at Jct
19. Two thermals, 1hr 37mins. 13 years after getting the five hours. My
714th aerotow (too much instructing!!).

Alistair Wright

[Richard Brisbourne]

Graham Hodgson wrote:

> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?

I'm tempted to claim I've forgotten.

Actually it was a Skylark 2.

--
Soar the big sky
The real name on the left is richard

[Bryan]

Schweizer1-26 from what was then Henderson Sky Harbor, NV, to Searchlight,
NV. I arrived with only 10,000 feet to spare. I'm a little bit
conservative.


"Graham Hodgson" > wrote in
message ...
> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?
>
>
>

[Bill Daniels]

"Graham Hodgson" > wrote in
message ...
> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?
>
Silver badge #565 flown in 1963 (I think)
SGS 1-26
5+ hours to fly 50km mostly below 1000 feet AGL.

Bill Daniels

[willie]

Graham Hodgson > wrote in message >...
> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?


I did all three legs in a Schweizer 1-34.



John Cochrane wrote:

( Gold means "I've done a
really substantial cross country flight. I'm ready to go to a
contest." )

I really take don't think that earning a gold badge has anything to do
with contests.
Not everyone who is into Soaring is interested in contest flying.

I think a "Gold" badge means a pilot has improved his skills to the
point where he can
comfortably navigate across country, keep his ship in the air for an
extended duration
and can gain significant altitude above his release point.

By completing the FAI minimums to complete this badge the pilot can
wear this insignia
as a sign to others of his proficiancy, or as an award to himself for
having achieved this
significant milestone in his soaring career.

[f.blair]

K-8 in Texas. Did the other two legs in the same aircraft, duration and
altitude gain with out the variometer working; loose connection to battery.

Fred Blair
"S.B." > wrote in message ...
> Graham Hodgson wrote:
>
> > What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> > 50k flight in?
>
> A K8 in Lincolnshire, England.

[Kevin R. Anderson]

Silver in 1-26E #615

Gold with Diamond Goal flight in 1-26B #192

Kevin R. Anderson
1-26B 192
HP-18


"S.B." > wrote in message ...
> Graham Hodgson wrote:
>
> > What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> > 50k flight in?
>
> A K8 in Lincolnshire, England.

[BTIZ]

Silver Distance, Altitude and Duration.. SGS 1-26C #446
BT

"Graham Hodgson" > wrote in
message ...
> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?
>
>
>

[BTIZ]

Bryan.. are you still in NV?
BT

"Bryan" > wrote in message
...
> Schweizer1-26 from what was then Henderson Sky Harbor, NV, to Searchlight,
> NV. I arrived with only 10,000 feet to spare. I'm a little bit
> conservative.
>
>
> "Graham Hodgson" > wrote in
> message ...
> > What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> > 50k flight in?
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>

[Greg O'Sullivan]

Graham Hodgson wrote:
> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?
>
>
>
SZD 51-1 Junior VH-XOC, yes I know I'm a wimp, a glass glider and an IGC logger.

You can see the log of my Silver Distance flight here:

http://ariel.ucs.unimelb.edu.au/~gjo/gliding/badge_flights.html

and laugh at my inefficiency.

Greg O'Sullivan

[Marry Daniel or David Grah]

LP-49, N39LP.

"Graham Hodgson" > wrote in
message ...
> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?
>
>
>

[Pete Reinhart]

".SGS 1-26 #340 (9933J)
Windermere gliderport to Lampassas, Texas.
Took about an hour and a half and arrived over Lampassas at 8500 feet at the
bottom of a cloud.
Shoulda kept going for gold but didn't see the opportunity. Too focused on
the task at hand. Used barograph and landing card (no GPS in those days).
Cheers!, Pete

[Romeo Delta]

1-26.
All three legs.
With a distance penalty no less (no kidding!).

[Larry Pardue]

>
> ".SGS 1-26


Does anyone notice a trend here? In the United States the impact of the,
little respected, 1-26 has been huge. I think if one goes back through all
the US badges it can be found that it is the dominant US glider.

High performance sure does have its place but I have nothing but the best of
feelings for the 1-26. Fifty years and still going very strong.

Larry Pardue ex owner of 441
Carlsbad, NM

[BTIZ]

if you do Silver.. in the southwest US.... in anything but a 1-26.. it's
cheating..
check out the number of 1-26 pilots that have all three diamonds in a 1-26
BT

"Larry Pardue" > wrote in message
...
>
> >
> > ".SGS 1-26
>
>
> Does anyone notice a trend here? In the United States the impact of the,
> little respected, 1-26 has been huge. I think if one goes back through
all
> the US badges it can be found that it is the dominant US glider.
>
> High performance sure does have its place but I have nothing but the best
of
> feelings for the 1-26. Fifty years and still going very strong.
>
> Larry Pardue ex owner of 441
> Carlsbad, NM
>
>

[Steve]

> Graham Hodgson wrote:
> > What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> > 50k flight in?

Annebula. A 15 meter homebuilt with a Stan Hall Cherokee fuselage and
a new wing. Built by my dad. Flown by him and all three of his sons
on various badges up to and including all three Diamond legs. From
Kansas.

Altitude was in a TG-3A. Duration in a Slinsgby Swallow. So far,
each badge has had each leg in a different sailplane. What to use for
the Diamond altitude....

Steve Leonard

[Duane Eisenbeiss]

"Graham Hodgson" > wrote in
message ...
> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?
>

A "flat topped" L-K in Georgia.

Duane

[Hal]

I did mine in a asw27b in the Sierras. It was fun but I don't think
it or the gold distance means as much if you do it in a 1-24 or even a
30 to 1 glider.

(willie) wrote in message >...
> Graham Hodgson > wrote in message >...
> > What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> > 50k flight in?
>
>
> I did all three legs in a Schweizer 1-34.
>
>
>
> John Cochrane wrote:
>
> ( Gold means "I've done a
> really substantial cross country flight. I'm ready to go to a
> contest." )
>
> I really take don't think that earning a gold badge has anything to do
> with contests.
> Not everyone who is into Soaring is interested in contest flying.
>
> I think a "Gold" badge means a pilot has improved his skills to the
> point where he can
> comfortably navigate across country, keep his ship in the air for an
> extended duration
> and can gain significant altitude above his release point.
>
> By completing the FAI minimums to complete this badge the pilot can
> wear this insignia
> as a sign to others of his proficiancy, or as an award to himself for
> having achieved this
> significant milestone in his soaring career.

[Andy Blackburn]

1-26D - Estrella to Eloy milk run - 7/5/75. I was
16. I distinctly remember the aerotow home nearly broke
my arm with the inadequate Schweizer trim system.

9B

At 21:00 09 June 2004, Paul M. Cordell wrote:
>1-26 in Washington State @ 15 years old.
>
>

[nyffeler]

In article >, Graham Hodgson > wrote:
>What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
>50k flight in?

I did mine with a Ka-8. It was a straight distance to a goal flight. This
means an altitude gain of 2000m was required for 50km.

Today our youngsters do their 50km with a Discus. So they have to get about
1200m for 50km. That's ok, if they make an out and return flight.

Peter

[stephanevdv]

In a Ka-8, in Belgium. No electronics (variometer, radio, gps) at all.
Flew to a goal 59 km away. Intended to take a photograph and fly back,
but landed on the goal airfield. It was a


--
stephanevdv
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted via OziPilots Online [ http://www.OziPilotsOnline.com.au ]
- A website for Australian Pilots regardless of when, why, or what they fly -

[stephanevdv]

Sorry, got interrupted!

It was a good thing I landed, I had forgotten to take the cap off the
objective!


--
stephanevdv
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted via OziPilots Online [ http://www.OziPilotsOnline.com.au ]
- A website for Australian Pilots regardless of when, why, or what they fly -

[Bryan]

Hi BTIZ,

No, I moved away in 1979. I understand that the Las Vegas soaring scene has
changed considerably since then. I should have added to my post that after
arriving over Searchlight with 10,000 AGL I proceded to land downwind and
downhill. Felt like I was flying a Nimbus rather than a 1-26. I learned a
lot of "never do agains" from that flight.

Kind regards,
Bryan

"BTIZ" > wrote in message
news:EFNxc.7642$fZ1.4420@fed1read03...
> Bryan.. are you still in NV?
> BT
>
> "Bryan" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Schweizer1-26 from what was then Henderson Sky Harbor, NV, to
Searchlight,
> > NV. I arrived with only 10,000 feet to spare. I'm a little bit
> > conservative.
> >
> >
> > "Graham Hodgson" > wrote in
> > message ...
> > > What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> > > 50k flight in?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>

[OscarCVox]

>What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
>50k flight in?

Eon Olympia 2B Enstone to Nympsfield UK Arrived at 3000ft above the site and
flew a mile beyond it(sightseeing) The wind was blowing down the ridge and I
nearly didnt make it back. 1-24 glide angle + 8knts of sink + 10 knts of wind
ouch!

I did my 5 hrs in a K8 with no flap over the aerotow hook in the nose. I was so
cold at the end that I needed help to get out of the glider

[Stephen Thomas]

Graham Hodgson > wrote in message >...
> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?

1973 (I think) K6e - Usk (South Wales Gliding Club) to the Long Myndd
(Midland Gliding Club)
TO altitude - 80' landing altitude 1500' Distance 89.1 Km

[Bruce Greeff]

> Graham Hodgson wrote:
>
>> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
>> 50k flight in?
>>
>>
>>
Ahem

Mine was in a Standard Cirrus. Took along my just arrived, second hand LX20 Data
logger (I know - glass and a logger) in the side pouch of the glider. I had
worked out how to declare a flight but nothing more in the couple of hours I had
had it.

You can see the log (record of my sins) here
http://www.whisperingwings.org.za/logs/34RF6VQ1.igc

I started late, with inadequate weather briefing. Overconfident after a nice
100Km+ flight the previous weekend. Failed to consider that on that occasion the
entire sky was going up, whereas on this day it was already getting patchy and
late.

This time I ambled inefficiently over to the neighbouring town and rather
embarassingly fell down. By then the sun was low, and I had determinedly flown
into a big patch of sink over the target airfield. I then had difficulty getting
high again, and lost confidence. It was only my fifth flight in the Cirrus and I
elected to land at their airfield rather than scratch home. In retrospect, the
return flight should have been no problem, but better safe than sorry.

The only redeeming factor was that the LX20 had recorded the flight, with my
experimental declaration. Total distance was 51Km so I claimed the silver distance.

[Herbert Kilian]

"Larry Pardue" > wrote in message >...
> >
> > ".SGS 1-26
>
>
> Does anyone notice a trend here? In the United States the impact of the,
> little respected, 1-26 has been huge. I think if one goes back through all
> the US badges it can be found that it is the dominant US glider.
>
> High performance sure does have its place but I have nothing but the best of
> feelings for the 1-26. Fifty years and still going very strong.
>
> Larry Pardue ex owner of 441
> Carlsbad, NM

Larry,

I and obviously many of the people posting here feel the same way
about the Ka-8. Ours was an early production number with a steel-tube
built up canopy that only had flat plates of plexi to look through.
My 6'2" made it damned tight inside and I was barely able to turn my
head. Flew in '81 from Bisperode near the Pied Piper town of Hamelin
to the Harz mountains for Silver Distance. I understand the Ka-8 is
flying in Iceland now.

Herb, J7

[Henryk Birecki]

Graham Hodgson > wrote:

>What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
>50k flight in?
>

SGS (Schweizer) 1-26

Henryk Birecki

[Hank Nixon]

Graham Hodgson > wrote in message >...
> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?

Hank did in 1-26D #407
As observer, I won't sign Silver distance flown in Glass unless it
exceeds 100 km handicapped. Just my rule.
UH

[Ray Lovinggood]

At 13:42 09 June 2004, Graham Hodgson wrote:
>What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
>50k flight in?


LS-1d from Harnett County Airport to Ball Field, both
in eastern North Carolina, USA. Distance: about 90
kilometers. Aerotowed back. The cross-country aerotow
was my first long distance tow and it was more frightful
than the flight up. I should have left the landing
gear extended and popped the spoilers open. I ended
up with WAAAAAAY too much slack in the rope and pulled
the release. After the panic subsided, I was able
to find enough lift to get me the 30 or 35 kilometers
remaining to the home field.

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, North Carolina, USA

[Pete Reinhart]

..1-26B #340
Winderdmere gliderport to Lampassas, Texas..
Finished at 8000' in the bottom of a boomer and didn't have enough sense to
keep going for gold distance.
Cheers!, Pete

[Jim Vincent]

>cross-country aerotow
>was my first long distance tow and it was more frightful
>than the flight up. I should have left the landing
>gear extended and popped the spoilers open. I ended
>up with WAAAAAAY too much slack in the rope and pulled
>the release.

Yup, I too made that mistake on my 50k in a Pilatus B-4. The trick is to go to
low tow position. Does a much better job of keeping the slack out.

Jim Vincent
CFIG
N483SZ

[CV]

Alistair Wright wrote:
> "Graham Hodgson" > wrote in
> message ...
>
>>What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
>>50k flight in?
> ASK 18. Dunstable to Husbands Bosworth. Up the M1 and turn right at Jct

K18 here too !!! on may 21, 1988. Parham to Lasham. Had to be
towed some 10 km in the other direction first (Washington
roundabout) to make it 50k and nearly managed to land out
coming back from there, before setting off on the task.
Ended up getting the height gain and duration on the same
flight.
CV

[Sid Wood]

Stan Hall Cherokee II, in southern Ontario, May 1981 (the good, old days)

Beautiful soaring conditions that spring. Did three 50K+ flights, plus
Silver height gain and duration over three consecutive weekends in the
Cherokee.

"Graham Hodgson" > wrote in
message ...
> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?
>
>
>

[Nyal Williams]

TG-3A, Ser. No. 88, N60434, from Advance, NC (Strawberry Hill) to
Salisbury, NC. 64 miles. 19 No trailer - had to be careful.
Aero-retrieve non-event.

Anyone know why Glider Pilot Net can't retrieve latest 50 or so
messages?



stephanevdv > wrote in message >...
> In a Ka-8, in Belgium. No electronics (variometer, radio, gps) at all.
> Flew to a goal 59 km away. Intended to take a photograph and fly back,
> but landed on the goal airfield. It was a

[Mal]

A pilatus B4


"Sid Wood" > wrote in message
...
> Stan Hall Cherokee II, in southern Ontario, May 1981 (the good, old days)
>
> Beautiful soaring conditions that spring. Did three 50K+ flights, plus
> Silver height gain and duration over three consecutive weekends in the
> Cherokee.
>
> "Graham Hodgson" > wrote in
> message ...
> > What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> > 50k flight in?
> >
> >
> >
>
>

[Ray Lovinggood]

Nyal,

I think you need to do the 50k flight again, but this
time, do it in something that will make you REALLY
work for those 50k's. Flying that distance in a TG-3A
seems to be defeating the ideals of the FAI and/or
the other 'originators' of the Badges as we know them
today. :-)

You might has well have been in an LS8-18. Or, a 2-22.

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, North Carolina, USA

At 13:36 12 June 2004, Nyal Williams wrote:
>TG-3A, Ser. No. 88, N60434, from Advance, NC (Strawberry
>Hill) to
>Salisbury, NC. 64 miles. 19 No trailer - had to be
>careful.
>Aero-retrieve non-event.
>
>Anyone know why Glider Pilot Net can't retrieve latest
>50 or so
>messages?
>
>
>
>stephanevdv wrote in message news:...
>> In a Ka-8, in Belgium. No electronics (variometer,
>>radio, gps) at all.
>> Flew to a goal 59 km away. Intended to take a photograph
>>and fly back,
>> but landed on the goal airfield. It was a
>

[Martin Gregorie]

On 9 Jun 2004 13:26:28 GMT, Graham Hodgson
> wrote:

>What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
>50k flight in?
>
>
SZD Junior, Gransden Lodge to Rattlesden (68 km) in blue conditions
off a winch launch. Took 3.5 hours to do it.

I used an EW model D logger driven off a GPS II+ to record the flight.
I navigated by map, not the GPS.

--
martin@ : Martin Gregorie
gregorie : Harlow, UK
demon :
co : Zappa fan & glider pilot
uk :

[Nyal Williams]

Ray,

You're just jealous! The muscles I developed working
those ailerons are long gone.



At 12:12 13 June 2004, Ray Lovinggood wrote:
>Nyal,
>
>I think you need to do the 50k flight again, but this
>time, do it in something that will make you REALLY
>work for those 50k's. Flying that distance in a TG-3A
>seems to be defeating the ideals of the FAI and/or
>the other 'originators' of the Badges as we know them
>today. :-)
>
>You might has well have been in an LS8-18. Or, a 2-22.
>
>Ray Lovinggood
>Carrboro, North Carolina, USA
>
>At 13:36 12 June 2004, Nyal Williams wrote:
>>TG-3A, Ser. No. 88, N60434, from Advance, NC (Strawberry
>>Hill) to
>>Salisbury, NC. 64 miles. 19 No trailer - had to be
>>careful.
>>Aero-retrieve non-event.
>>
>>Anyone know why Glider Pilot Net can't retrieve latest
>>50 or so
>>messages?
>>
>>
>>
>>stephanevdv wrote in message news:...
>>> In a Ka-8, in Belgium. No electronics (variometer,
>>>radio, gps) at all.
>>> Flew to a goal 59 km away. Intended to take a photograph
>>>and fly back,
>>> but landed on the goal airfield. It was a
>>
>
>
>
>

[Bruce Hoult]

In article >,
Graham Hodgson > wrote:

> What aircraft did you do your silver distance qualifying
> 50k flight in?

Don't have any badges.

I have, however, been to 18,000 ft in a Club Libelle, and won a 200+ km
contest task in thermals in a PW-5.

I did intend to claim a 50k once, but despite my making it VERY clear to
the pharmacist that I wished my negatives to remain uncut, and receiving
their assurance that would be no problem, they proceeded to cut my
negatives. I haven't bothered again ... I just go flying instead.

-- Bruce

[Janos Bauer]

Mark James Boyd wrote:
> 1-26 (alt)
> PW-5 (dur and dist)
>
> I must say the 5 hour duration part of the
> Silver seems like a MUCH harder task than
> the alt or dist.
>
> No matter what glider you fly, five hours is
> still five hours. At the point I did it, it
> was the longest I had ever continuously
> piloted any aircraft, despite over 1500 flight hours
> before that (also with no bathroom).

I agree, who can fly 5 hours probably can do 300k or even 500k in a
"hot" ship.

/Janos

[Mark James Boyd]

1-26 (alt)
PW-5 (dur and dist)

I must say the 5 hour duration part of the
Silver seems like a MUCH harder task than
the alt or dist.

No matter what glider you fly, five hours is
still five hours. At the point I did it, it
was the longest I had ever continuously
piloted any aircraft, despite over 1500 flight hours
before that (also with no bathroom).

Getting all that "official" is another matter.
It took me six tries to get credit for the 50km
distance, and it was ultimately for a 150KM+ flight...

silly rules... ;)
--

------------+
Mark Boyd
Avenal, California, USA

[Jim Vincent]

> I agree, who can fly 5 hours probably can do 300k or even 500k in a
>"hot" ship.
>

I differ with you there. Each places a different demand on the skills of the
pilot.

A five hour flight can be done "flag poling" around the home field with no fear
of landing out. The only challenge is finding the next thermal, which are
probably all house thermals, relieving your bladder, and staying comfortable.

A cross country flight requires all these elements, plus navigation, strategy,
and technique.

Jim Vincent
CFIG
N483SZ

[Mike Lindsay]

In article >, Janos Bauer
> writes
>Mark James Boyd wrote:
>> 1-26 (alt)
>> PW-5 (dur and dist)
>>
>> I must say the 5 hour duration part of the
>> Silver seems like a MUCH harder task than
>> the alt or dist.
>>
>> No matter what glider you fly, five hours is
>> still five hours. At the point I did it, it
>> was the longest I had ever continuously
>> piloted any aircraft, despite over 1500 flight hours
>> before that (also with no bathroom).
>
> I agree, who can fly 5 hours probably can do 300k or even 500k in a
>"hot" ship.
>
>/Janos
OTOH it is possible to do 5 hours on a ridge. Even a low one, 200ft
high. Like at Dunstable. Even in a Tutor.

Not that I did that you understand. Mine was Tibenham to Swanton
Morley, 24 miles in all. As someone said at the time, it's quicker by
bus.
What? Oh yes. Distance was Tibenham to Duxford, 82Km. In the only
Skylark 4 that has its own web-site.
http://members.aol.com/williamsmf/index.htm
--
Mike Lindsay

[Janos Bauer]

Jim Vincent wrote:
>>I agree, who can fly 5 hours probably can do 300k or even 500k in a
>>"hot" ship.
>>
>
>
> I differ with you there. Each places a different demand on the skills of the
> pilot.
>
> A five hour flight can be done "flag poling" around the home field with no fear
> of landing out. The only challenge is finding the next thermal, which are
> probably all house thermals, relieving your bladder, and staying comfortable.
>
> A cross country flight requires all these elements, plus navigation, strategy,
> and technique.

What about GPS and glide computers? All you have to do is to believe
what they tell you. So navigation and strategy more or less sorted out.
If we manage to remove the fear of outlanding we are at the same task.
Keep the glider in the air more than 5 hours but choose your next
thermal at a certain direction.
Let's tell the truth: it's not as complicated as most pilots tend to
state it;)

/Janos