Guys, what happened to my motor??????

[GremlinX]

I am off to New York on business. I had today off. I went to a local flying field. It is a full scale glider field. I went up in one of these... http://www.easternsailplane.com/sailplane/ask21.html

We did a 3 hour stint and the thermals died out around 6:30 pm and we came down . My guide/instructor pilot was a 79 year old man who was a 22,000 hour WW II vet and a TWA captain. What a neat ole' guy. He said, "the thermal's are dead, lets have fun". "This airplane is rated for 6+... lets do 4+. Lets dive, pull back, and do a wing over, like I did a longgggggg time ago". "let me show you, breathe, hold on, now lets go...... pull, pause, roll, release, and breathe again". Ok. That was 3+ wing over. Let's do a loop. Full power, over the top, coming down the back side, throttle back, and settle into the loop." His humor with the throttle was priceless. He said, let's do a strafe. I said..... do it.... do it... We were 145 knots across the ground and he pulled vertical 85*, did a stall turn, and GREASED a landing.... I mean Gaaahhhreased. We came to a stop, and then the wingtip touched the ground. It was a real experience. And with Captain "Keith" (hehh, funny, that's my name too), he made the experience, not the airplane. I am hooked on non powered flight. Hovering,torque rollin', and harriers are all great, but there is a wonderful part of flight that we overlook.... sailplanes.
To end the day, Captain Keith flew a Glider in 1944 several times and lived.... he can fly me anytime.... Thanks for the Yeeehaaawww BADASS vent. I got him to say BadAss as well in the middle of a split S.... Take care guys... seeya

[Toro]

I was a full scale Sailplane pilot up until about a year and a half ago after I lost currency. My kids were taking up the time needed to fly and stay good at it, and to stay safe. I will eventually take it up again. If you have never experienced this it is a rush ! I still love to feel the roll of the tow plane, and the pop of the release with the right turn. Here the Vario clicking, than here it singggg !!! 10knot thermals to 12,500 oh yea !! !

Take a look @ the video from my FBO Garrett was my instructor.


http://youtube.com/watch?v=KJnSdGktpLM

[GremlinX]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Toro
	I was a full scale Sailplane pilot up until about a year and a half ago after I lost currency. My kids were taking up the time needed to fly and stay good at it, and to stay safe. I will eventually take it up again. If you have never experienced this it is a rush ! I still love to feel the roll of the tow plane, and the pop of the release with the right turn. Here the Vario clicking, than here it singggg !!! 10knot thermals to 12,500 oh yea !! ! Take a look @ the video from my FBO Garrett was my instructor. http://youtube.com/watch?v=KJnSdGktpLM

That's funny... the other 25+ members on the ground packing up watched our "routine". I landed and got out. They asked me how it was and they said "Keith's still got it.... he's the real deal. We all landed at 11am this morning and he was on final and did a go around. His go around ended up at 6500' for 6 hours. He landed, and picked me up after a five hour ride!! The locals were blown away at his ability. I think sometimes we all underestimate what the "elders" can really do, full scale, or models. I think I was just reminded of this today. They are real guys, and some heros. Some are very good and we should not laugh and learn. Learn and laugh are very close together in the dictionary... peace... Keith

[GremlinX]

Toro... is he like 14 years old? LOL

[N726AC]

Too cool,, I fly the loud, oily one. A Pawnee.

[Toro]

Pawnee...... pulls like a freight train.... I used to love to tow behind theirs. It was easier to high tow also behind it.

[GremlinX]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Toro
	Pawnee...... pulls like a freight train.... I used to love to tow behind theirs. It was easier to high tow also behind it.

I was mistaken... a Pawnee pulled us... I am still excited after sleep and all. I think I may get an RC Glider to satisfy my needs... that will keep me from going full scale...

[FireFighterFSFD]

I'll be the first to say that she is hot!!!!!!!!! All that talk about a mile high and wanting the big stuff really makes slope flying (with HER anyway) look a lot better than I thought