First timer wants soaring description

I'll be taking my first glider ride this week (not soaring, just
gliding) and was wanting a description of what to expect. I've never
flown in anything but a passenger jet, so that's my only frame of
reference. We'll be using an ASK 21 model. I've been told gliding is
like floating down with no sound, but that sounds too easy. What is
the turbulence like? Is it shaky at all? Cold up there? How safe are
the newer gliders? Thanks for any info on what to expect, it is
appreciated.

TravelMan wrote:

I'll be taking my first glider ride this week (not soaring, just
gliding) and was wanting a description of what to expect. I've never
flown in anything but a passenger jet, so that's my only frame of
reference. We'll be using an ASK 21 model. I've been told gliding is
like floating down with no sound, but that sounds too easy. What is
the turbulence like? Is it shaky at all? Cold up there? How safe are
the newer gliders? Thanks for any info on what to expect, it is
appreciated.

Quiet? Not usually. Most gliders have noticeable wind noise.
Turbulence? Depends on the weather, but *usually* is a fair comment.
Not necessarily bang-your-head-on-the-canopy turbulence, but some bumps
and vibrations are typical. The weather that creates unpleasant jet
travel is the stuff of great soaring days. Cold-depends. Where (Rio?
Fairbanks?), what season, how high? For an intro ride, whatever clothes
you're comfortable in on the ground will be fine.
If you're flying in a country that regulates glider flying, the glider
will be safe. How well do you know the pilot or their reputation?
That's where the risk would be. Are they an experienced instructor who
flies four days a week or someone who got their check ride two years ago
and has flown three times since (Yikes!). Its OK to ask BTW.
Your first experience will be different from everyone else's, so
detailed descriptions aren't much help. Just go enjoy it.

Shawn

In article ,
(TravelMan) wrote:

I'll be taking my first glider ride this week (not soaring, just
gliding) and was wanting a description of what to expect. I've never
flown in anything but a passenger jet, so that's my only frame of
reference. We'll be using an ASK 21 model. I've been told gliding is
like floating down with no sound, but that sounds too easy. What is
the turbulence like? Is it shaky at all? Cold up there? How safe are
the newer gliders? Thanks for any info on what to expect, it is
appreciated.

There is wind noise. Very little at the slowest speeds (40 or 45
knots), a roaring gale above 100 knots. At a normal ASK21 cuise speed
of 60 knots it's proabbly comparable to being in a modern jet.
Certainly much quieter than a Cessna, but hardly "silent".

Turbulence: most good soaring days it is similar to driving in a car on
a not quite perfect freeway with your eyes closed. The main problem is
that it's not easy to predict when there will be a bump -- other than
the obvious such as flying over a ridge.

Temperatu unless you're going to go really high, wear whatever you'd
wear on the ground when standing in the sun in a spot sheltered from the
wind. If in doubt, err slightly on the side of not wearing enough. It
gets warm under that big perspex canopy and being too hot is far worse
than being a little too cold. In winter conditions (NZ winter, which
means temps in the 40s) I'll often be wearing a wind breaker jacket
while getting organized on the ground, and then take it off when I get
in the glider and just wear a tee shirt.

Safety: the ASK21 is an extremely safe glider. Extremely strong and
easy to fly. I'd worry about the person flying the glider, not about
the glider.


I'm not an instructor but I've taken about three dozen friends and
relatives for their first glider flights. The big thing that surprises
everyone is how tightly a glider can turn (and the bank angles). The
next biggest surprise for a lot of people is that they feel much more
"secure" than they expected to.

Enjoy your flight!

--
Bruce | 41.1670S | \ spoken | -+-
Hoult | 174.8263E | /\ here. | ----------O----------

Our Club--Mid Georgia Soaring Assn, in Atlanta ,GA sells glider rides by
appointment. We use the ASK21. Our 'Rides Pilots' all are active, current
pilots with at least Commercial licenses (many are instructors), and have
had a special check-out as a 'Rides Pilot". We especially avoid steep banks
and abrupt maneuvers unless requested by the guest, or required by safety of
the flight. We ask about any special concerns in advance. We describe what
is happening as we go along. We describe the traffic pattern before entering
it, and declare where we will touch down, early in the pattern, so as to
allay any fears about not being able to land without an engine.

This time of year in Georgia (USA) we have little turbulence and "T-shirt"
temperatures. The turbulence is usually gentle and "soft", unless there has
been a very recent cold front passage and it is windy (15 mph or more). The
ASK21 is a very strong , modern fiberglass aircraft, comforable and sleek
looking.

We have been doing this a few years now and the usual result is a ear-to-ear
grin on the face of the guest. Most people are impressed with the view, and
the comfort of the cockpit.

Enjoy your ride!


Hartley Falbaum


"TravelMan" wrote in message
om...
I'll be taking my first glider ride this week (not soaring, just
gliding) and was wanting a description of what to expect. I've never
flown in anything but a passenger jet, so that's my only frame of
reference. We'll be using an ASK 21 model. I've been told gliding is
like floating down with no sound, but that sounds too easy. What is
the turbulence like? Is it shaky at all? Cold up there? How safe are
the newer gliders? Thanks for any info on what to expect, it is
appreciated.

You'll have wonderful visibility through a canopy instead of a tiny airliner
window.
You may be surprised at how quickly and steeply the glider banks and turns,
compared to an airliner - but that's half the fun!
It may be turbulent (bumpy), as others have said, but you'll be strapped in
with a harness, not just a seat belt. Often the tow feels bumpier than the
glide, because it's a bit faster.
Sunglasses and are highly recommended.
Have a great time!

"TravelMan" wrote in message
om...
I'll be taking my first glider ride this week (not soaring, just
gliding) and was wanting a description of what to expect. I've never
flown in anything but a passenger jet, so that's my only frame of
reference. We'll be using an ASK 21 model. I've been told gliding is
like floating down with no sound, but that sounds too easy. What is
the turbulence like? Is it shaky at all? Cold up there? How safe are
the newer gliders? Thanks for any info on what to expect, it is
appreciated.

"TravelMan" wrote in message
om...
I'll be taking my first glider ride this week (not soaring, just
gliding) and was wanting a description of what to expect.

As another sage noted, the experience is individual. After your flight,
please come back here and tell us what it was like for you.

I've never
flown in anything but a passenger jet, so that's my only frame of
reference. We'll be using an ASK 21 model. I've been told gliding is
like floating down with no sound, but that sounds too easy. What is
the turbulence like? Is it shaky at all? Cold up there?
How safe are the newer gliders?

Excellent or the FAA would not let them fly. I haven't lost a passenger
yet! There is, however, a distinct danger that you will find soaring to be
habit forming.

Thanks for any info on what to expect, it is
appreciated.

Welcome to our world
Vaughn

Vaughn wrote:
"TravelMan" wrote in message
om...

I'll be taking my first glider ride this week (not soaring, just
gliding) and was wanting a description of what to expect.


As another sage noted, the experience is individual. After your flight,
please come back here and tell us what it was like for you.


I've never
flown in anything but a passenger jet, so that's my only frame of
reference. We'll be using an ASK 21 model. I've been told gliding is
like floating down with no sound, but that sounds too easy. What is
the turbulence like? Is it shaky at all? Cold up there?
How safe are the newer gliders?


Excellent or the FAA would not let them fly. I haven't lost a passenger
yet! There is, however, a distinct danger that you will find soaring to be
habit forming.

Habit forming?

As Mr Mercury would have had it " It's like a disease son"

Much worse than a habit.

Thanks for any info on what to expect, it is
appreciated.


Welcome to our world
Vaughn

In article ,
Bruce Greeff wrote:

Excellent or the FAA would not let them fly. I haven't lost a
passenger
yet! There is, however, a distinct danger that you will find soaring to be
habit forming.

Habit forming?

As Mr Mercury would have had it " It's like a disease son"

Roger Taylor, I believe.

"I'm in love with my ca^M^M glider, got a feel for my racing sailplane"

drat .. doesn't scan

--
Bruce | 41.1670S | \ spoken | -+-
Hoult | 174.8263E | /\ here. | ----------O----------

Bruce Hoult wrote:
In article ,
Bruce Greeff wrote:


Excellent or the FAA would not let them fly. I haven't lost a
passenger
yet! There is, however, a distinct danger that you will find soaring to be
habit forming.


Habit forming?

As Mr Mercury would have had it " It's like a disease son"


Roger Taylor, I believe.

"I'm in love with my ca^M^M glider, got a feel for my racing sailplane"

drat .. doesn't scan

My mistake - Mr Taylor not only bashed the round noisy bits on that one, he
provided the vocals too. Its hard when your whatsit starts going.

"A machine of a dream, such a clean machine" Still applies.


For those who can't remember Queen (too old or too young - the track is featured
on a Jaguar ad of all things. Big file though)

http://www.jaguarcars.com/video/Sale...nt_qt_high.mov

"Vaughn" wrote in message ...
"TravelMan" wrote in message
om...
I'll be taking my first glider ride this week (not soaring, just
gliding) and was wanting a description of what to expect.

As another sage noted, the experience is individual. After your flight,
please come back here and tell us what it was like for you.

I've never
flown in anything but a passenger jet, so that's my only frame of
reference. We'll be using an ASK 21 model. I've been told gliding is
like floating down with no sound, but that sounds too easy. What is
the turbulence like? Is it shaky at all? Cold up there?
How safe are the newer gliders?

Excellent or the FAA would not let them fly. I haven't lost a passenger
yet! There is, however, a distinct danger that you will find soaring to be
habit forming.

Thanks for any info on what to expect, it is
appreciated.

Welcome to our world
Vaughn

Thanks for all the responses. Had my first glide last weekend. It was
fabulous! You folks have an awesome sport here!

We went up in an ASK-21 to about 4,000 feet and took about 25 minutes
to get back down. It was a perfect day, about 65 degrees, not a cloud
in the sky, and 10-15 MPH winds. Almost no turbulence in the air. The
bumpiest part was bouncing across the grass runway for about 15
seconds before we took off. From up there was could see all the way to
the Chicago skyline, about 50 miles away. I got to pilot the glider
from shortly after release until we set up for our landing. It was a
little weird trying to use the rudder and control stick at the same
time. I would get a little out of synch and the nose would dip, but a
little movement on the stick and we were right back in place. The
ASK-21 is awazingly responsive and easy to handle. My apprehension
meleted away as soon as we got up a few hundred feet. I was surprised
(and relieved) at how safe I felt.

I can't wait to go up again, although this time I want to go much
higher. I see what you mean about getting hooked.