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Post by James on Mar 19, 2005 12:51:21 GMT
I am currently going to start gliding in april. I was wondering if anyone has been and if they could tell me what its like or give me some tips.
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paul762
Man Who Walks Not Far
Posts: 5
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Post by paul762 on Mar 21, 2005 19:46:45 GMT
I was a gliding instructor for 14 years. There is nothing like it in the aviation world! I loved it and if a wife and family hadnt come along, I would still be doing it now.
The initial phase of the launch can be a bit noisy and bumpy, but once airborne things settle down. When the cable is released peace and calm settle down and you are in your own world.
Flights can last from 5 minutes to 5 hours or more. They amy be restricted to circuits around the airfield (during initial training, they almost certainly will be). But once a person gains experience, they can be checked out to fly cross country flights, when conditions are suitable.
Go for it - it is not everyones cup of tea, but you wont know unless you try it!
Paul
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Post by James on Mar 21, 2005 20:43:21 GMT
Was it good pay being an instructor? Where were u based?
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paul762
Man Who Walks Not Far
Posts: 5
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Post by paul762 on Mar 22, 2005 18:52:43 GMT
No pay, I am afraid, as it was voluntary! Mind, it meant free flights, though of course the instructor cannot do what he/she wants to.
I flew from Weston-super-Mare, but took my own glider to a few places around the Country - Northill in Somerset, Sutton Bank in Yorkshire, Long Mynd in Shropshire, Aston Down in Gloucestshire, to name but a few.
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Post by James on Mar 22, 2005 19:00:43 GMT
I will be flying from the long mynd station because it is the closest to home and I like it there.
What was the first thing that made you want to glide?
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paul762
Man Who Walks Not Far
Posts: 5
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Post by paul762 on Mar 22, 2005 20:52:13 GMT
You lucky so and so! Long Mynd is a fantastic place to glide. Not sure if they still do it, but when the wind is right on ridge, they bungee launch gliders, using a huge elastic band! I have had some great weekends there, plus some excellant socials in their club house.
I have always had a huge interest in aircraft and flying in general. I went solo when I was 17, though with a glider you can do it at 16.
Although I no longer have the time to go gliding, I am still heavily involved with aircraft - I work on helicopters, nuturing them back to health if they have had a mishap. I do occasionally get to fly in them, but usually only when there is a problem with them that needs to be seen in flight, to try to rectify the problem back on the ground!
Paul
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Post by James on Mar 23, 2005 18:36:03 GMT
The still bungee launch them I was up there in august last year biking. We were just traveling along and this man shouted stop and we saw a glider whip up high in front of us it was amazing.
There are some spectacular views from the long mynds.
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Post by James on Mar 25, 2005 18:13:13 GMT
Someone died up there a few weeks ago paragliding. The police investigated it but I don't know what came of it.
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Post by James on Apr 8, 2005 18:57:06 GMT
I am starting Tomorrow
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