Ever since you and Mystere encouraged me to try gliding (in this thread:
http://www.diecastaircraftforum.com/...1-hello-3.html), I can't help but wonder more about it each day. Coincidentally, I also have a friend whose dad build gliders and he showed me a magazine article featuring his dad. I can't quite remember which magazine and which edition it was but I'll try to contact him and find out. I'm not too sure if there will be an opportunity to make a gliding flight possible but nevertheless, I'd like to find out more, hence this thread! Please be patient with me if I seem to be asking trivial questions as I have no knowledge at all regarding gliding - it's all curiousity and educating myself at the moment.
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Originally Posted by GliderPilot
Some people have flown across the channel, in fact I read an article recently in our bi-monthly magazine, "Sailplane and Gliding" about 3 german pilots who flew over in their self launching motor gliders. I think they were Glaser-Dirks DG400's (All the best gliders are German).
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Does that mean that there won't be a need for a tow launch? What are the pros and cons for both types of launches? Or does it depend on other factors if you self-launch or launch via tow?
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Originally Posted by GliderPilot
The furthest flight I have done is 315 kilometers, but in the shape of a triangle using 2 turnpoints and landing back at the same airfield I took off from. This was for a part of my FAI Gold badge. Next I need to do a flight in excess of 500 kilometers, again using 2 turn points.
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Is the 'triangle' flight path using two turnpoints mostly used in gliding? What about an 'oval' flightpath? Or even landing at a different location you started from? You said you needed to make a flight in excess of 500km - is that part of the certification process?
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Originally Posted by GliderPilot
I haven't managed to get a day where the weather is suitable and I'm off work or not doing family "things" this year. The day when the weather was good enough for a 500, I had promised to take the family to the zoo.
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What kind of weather is defined as good enough for 500km? What about 300km? Does a glider have a ceiling altitude, as specified by the manufacturer?
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Originally Posted by GliderPilot
Unfortunately for me, the zoo we went to is right next to Dunstable gliding club near Luton airport, so I was able to watch all the expensive high performance gliders soaring away and setting off on cross country flights while I was dragged around looking at Penguins and sea Lions.
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As difficult it may seem, but I think it was all good getting to spend time with your family!
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Originally Posted by GliderPilot
The record distance for a glider is over 3000 kilometers
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How would one achieve that? Is there a special type of glider for long-distance gliding? Do you need to be certified to be able to attempt that kind of distance?