Gliding
Flight stories, soaring resources, an interactive map of German gliding clubs, in-flight videos and the occasional cross-country.
Flying in Unterwossen
In-flight video of an ASK 21 glider at DASSU Unterwössen, in the Bavarian Alps.
Read more →Gliding in Germany
A Google map of German gliding clubs and airfields, sourced from segelflug.de and remapped so cities and routes are visible for trip planning.
Read more →25 points landing
Video from the 2020 precision-landing contest at LRCN Clinceni. A windy day and a 25-point result, useful practice for the next season.
Read more →Glider winch launch
Video of a glider winch launch, taken from the winch.
Read more →Precision landing
Photos from the 2020 precision-landing contest at LRCN Clinceni. Windy conditions on the day made the target hard to hit.
Read more →Glider at sunset
IS-28 B2 two-seat glider at rest on the LRCN Clinceni apron at sunset, after the last flight of the day.
Read more →McCready theory and Netto vario
External article by Claire and Benjamin explaining the McCready ring and the Netto variometer, two instruments that tell a glider pilot when to speed up between thermals.
Read more →Risk management when flying gliders
Three articles from chessintheair.com on risk management in soaring: how the sport kills experienced pilots, whether it must be so dangerous, and managing risk in contests.
Read more →Glider pilot skill test
Glider pilot skill test passed on 29 October 2019, in marginal VFR weather. Six takeoffs and landings with the flight examiner, including a simulated winch cable break at 100 meters.
Read more →Clouds
In-flight photos from a 100 km cross-country flight, cruising close to cloudbase along a line of cumulus.
Read more →Flying a glider in Budapest
Cross-country gliding in the Budapest area with MAV Repülőklub at LHDK. Flight over the Hungarian plain with a two-seat glider.
Read more →First solo flight
Finally, near the end of the flight season, the time for my first solo flight in a glider has come.
Read more →Final landing
Last landing of the day at LRCN Clinceni, with tail number 3350 rolling out just before an approaching thunderstorm reached the airfield.
Read more →Morning thermals
In-flight video from LRCN Clinceni on a June 2018 morning, with unusually strong thermals for that hour of day.
Read more →Flying Samba ULM at Topoloveni airfield
In-flight video from a Samba ultralight at LRTP Topoloveni airfield, a change of pace from gliders in a light two-seat powered trainer.
Read more →Back in business ... of flying
Start of the 2018 gliding season at LRCN Clinceni. Back at the airfield after the winter break, first flights of the year.
Read more →FAI GRAND PRIX SAILPLANE
Promotional video for the FAI Sailplane Grand Prix, the shortened racing format where all gliders start together and the first back across the line wins.
Read more →2017 Gliding season is over
End of the 2017 gliding season with 7 hours of flying logged, roughly half of the 15 hours required for the license. Training continues next year.
Read more →Landing a glider
Cockpit view of a glider landing at LRCN Clinceni in August 2017, from downwind through final to touchdown.
Read more →Low pass
Cockpit video of a glider low pass at LRCN Clinceni, a high-speed run down the runway before the pull-up and circuit for landing.
Read more →Winch launch
In-flight video of a glider winch launch at LRCN Clinceni, filmed from the cockpit as the cable pulls the aircraft to release altitude.
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