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Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Off topic - Out on a wing.....

From: "tony1" <atm655@verizon.net>
Date: 2010-08-12


A quick clarification on the videos.
Those aircraft are sailplanes, I flew gliders.
The difference is the lift over drag ratio.
Gliders are 15-1 or less, which means for every 15'of foward motion you lose 1'.
A sailplane has a L/D of 15+-1, more like 35 to 45-1, and the Germans make the finest sailplanes in the world.
A lot had to do with post WW1 ban on powered flight, so the Germans (including my primary instructor) learned to fly by being pushed off a mountain!
 
Tony1
 
----- Original Message -----
From: tony1
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 8:51 AM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Off topic - Out on a wing.....

 



I was a solo "glider guider" at age 14. I had a total of 4 1/2 hours of instructor time before my release, while most adults require 24+ hours in an instructor enviroment.
Doesn't hurt to have had a former WW2 fighter pilot father (P-51s), who kept flying his own aircraft until a year before ALS killed him at age 78.
It's a wonderful experience and a lot like driving the race cars I enjoy (Formula One car next month), with the exception of having to get the aircraft on the ground in one piece on the first try.
No "go arounds" in an unpowered plane!
 
Try it you'll like it!
 
Tony1
PS bring a FAT wallet.
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 11:41 PM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Off topic - Out on a wing.....

 

Extra Cool - we have one of the more popular glider ports in So Calif a few miles away. The only real way to know when they're close is hearing the tow plane when it veers off after disconnect. I've been buzzed while hiking in the San Gabriel Mtns behind us by some pretty ballsy pilots - but this was something else...
Vance

lsf5275@aol. com wrote:

 

I love soaring. Blaniks are quite popular here in Virginia. Awesome videos.
 
In a message dated 8/11/2010 10:01:07 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, jandjstrz@verizon. net writes:
 

…the view is tremendous.

 

The soundtrack music isn’t too bad either (sorry no ‘tron)

 

enjoy the scenery……: )

 

 

http://www.youtube. com/...&feature=related

http://www.youtube. com/...&feature=related

 

 

 

_Jim & Janet