Soaring training stories

On Jun 17, 6:37 am, "Vaughn Simon"
wrote:
"Hilton" wrote in message

. net...

That's my biggest concern; i.e. that I'll always find myself way too high on
final.

Don't be. Most gliders have excellent glide path control. Some even allow
very steep approaches to give you the option of 1) keeping extra energy until
the last moment "just in case" and 2) getting you into small fields without
damage.

Be more afraid of forgetting and turning base too far downwind.

Vaughn

Hoo-ray for you! You are starting for the best part of flying to be
done. There is a big demand for glider instructors. On tow, fly
formation with the tow plane. On landing, keep your nose down. Don't
try to control speed with airbrakes... They are DRAG CONTROL devices
used to limit how far down the runway you will travel. When your wheel
is close to the ground, don't make the glider land with a forward
movement of the stick. Gravity always works and you will surely land.
Fred

fred wrote:
On Jun 17, 6:37 am, "Vaughn Simon"
wrote:

"Hilton" wrote in message

y.net...


That's my biggest concern; i.e. that I'll always find myself way too high on
final.

Don't be. Most gliders have excellent glide path control. Some even allow
very steep approaches to give you the option of 1) keeping extra energy until
the last moment "just in case" and 2) getting you into small fields without
damage.

Be more afraid of forgetting and turning base too far downwind.

Vaughn


Hoo-ray for you! You are starting for the best part of flying to be
done. There is a big demand for glider instructors. On tow, fly
formation with the tow plane. On landing, keep your nose down. Don't
try to control speed with airbrakes... They are DRAG CONTROL devices
used to limit how far down the runway you will travel. When your wheel
is close to the ground, don't make the glider land with a forward
movement of the stick. Gravity always works and you will surely land.
Fred

Unlike tricycle undercarriages you can't "drive it on" - gliders are taildraggers.

One other party trick transitioning power pilots have for unsuspecting
instructors is the perfectly flown approach terminating in a decisive flare four
feet up. Seems more instinctive for those who have flown the heavier/faster
Cessnas.

Speed disappears, glider mushes tail first into a too slow arrival - and an
almost visible question mark forms above P1.

So a comment - these glider things don't have the stored kinetic energy, or
residual thrust from the propeller. Get the attitude right and flare gently,
much more gently that you would with say a C210.

As Fred said, gravity always wins. The corollary is that you should not let it
be a decisive win...

Bruce

Just as an FYI, in our glider club the power transitioned glider
pilots seem to be having the most incidents/accidents due
to differences in the types of aircraft and making best use of
performance.

2 incidents where from landing to long and hitting things, fences,
other gliders etc

Seems like they are not taking into account that some gliders do not
have very effective brakes or not being used to the great glide and
using adequate spoiler or flaps.

The other thing seems to be that they are trying to use their power
techniques in gliders.....they are very different flying machines.

For example a standard power 2minute turn with maybe 30 degrees bank
is inappropriate for a glider with a tow rope break at 200' agl.

Power transitions seem to be at least initially timid to bank the
glider up to 60 degrees plus to get a turn done quickly and safely at
lower altitudes.

Just things to keep in mind if you are flying both types.

Ray