Engine ON - Engine OFF

[scard]

This morning's mission was another RV adventure as usual. I took the week off of "real" work to tinker with the RV8 project, and Tanya took Friday off. So we launched into solid IFR from home to just south of Dallas (Texas that is for those that don't know) to Midway Regional. I shot the approach from the south, circle to land R18. Yeah, bases were up to the magic 2000' agl by the time we touched down. What is so "magic" about 2000', well, that was our metric for making the trip. After all we were here to start training for our glider ratings! (one Commercial, one Private) Oooohhhhh, a new challenge. The RV is the perfect commute vehicle for this endeavor. We tucked 22C into its chocks and proceeded to endure a couple of hours of "ground school". Then we got to go see a glider for the first time EVER. Shortly after that we got to go fly a Grob 103! For you hard core RV pilots, this is two seat, tandem with NO engine on it. VFR only. The entire instrument panel was an airspeed indicator, an altimeter, a wet compass, and this foreign instrument called a total energy variometer. I had never heard of such a thing only a few days ago. In a glider, it seems to be very useful, like a super sensitive VSI that compensates for airspeed changes. Ok, I'm playing dumb, but really, this is new stuff to me . We each got three tows up to 3K'. I call it "loose formation on a rope." Very cool stuff. We have lots to learn, but it is going to be fun. Once done for the day we hopped back into the RV9A for the 45min. flight back home. Sandwich service on top in cruise as usual. We'll be ready for when Dick gets that motor glider done and packaged up in a nice pretty Van's aircraft box ready for delivery .
Tomorrow, Saturday is already scheduled up for at least an hour of four ship local formation practice, lunch, then back to fly gliders in the afternoon. It should be at least a 10hr day of airplanes. Life is good when you can fly.

[rockwoodrv9]

I have never done the glider thing, but it would have to make you a better pilot. What an adventure. Have fun and I will be interested in how things compare and contrast with the 9. At the very least, it could keep you from freaking out if the prop stops turning.
Have fun!

[scard]

Try this on for size: you are good-to-go for "the impossible turn" at only 200'!!! Wait a minute, hold the phone, .... No kiddin' Still blowing my mind.

[rockwoodrv9]

I am up to the top of my wallet with this build, but someday Im going to have to try out a glider. I know they have several places on the front range near Denver that offer glider rides and training. Full turn at 200'. That sounds fun.

[Vlad]

I watched your tracker and could not even think what you guys went for. Gliding huh? Sounds like fun. The other day I took one of our top CFI in my 9 for gliding practices. She GLIDES too

[scard]

Originally Posted by Vlad

I watched your tracker and could not even think what you guys went for. Gliding huh? Sounds like fun. The other day I took one of our top CFI in my 9 for gliding practices. She GLIDES too

Yeah, I'm totally envisioning some high Texas summer thermaling in the -9 now We'll see. Tanya and I are still debriefing our unique experiences within the same few hours. I'm sure tomorrow will bring another new adventure and revelation or two. Stay tuned! RV related of course.

[newt]

Originally Posted by scard

Try this on for size: you are good-to-go for "the impossible turn" at only 200'!!! Wait a minute, hold the phone, .... No kiddin' Still blowing my mind.

And with a good enough towplane you're above 200' well before the upwind threshold too.

Get yourself out to Minden and go wave flying. Make sure you have plenty of O2, there's not much air at FL180.

- mark

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by scard

Try this on for size: you are good-to-go for "the impossible turn" at only 200'!!! Wait a minute, hold the phone, .... No kiddin' Still blowing my mind.

Simulated rope break, and takeoff turnback was the last thing I did prior to my glider solo.

Of course, I did it a few times prior during my training.

[newt]

Originally Posted by Mike S

Simulated rope break, and takeoff turnback was the last thing I did prior to my glider solo.
Of course, I did it a few times prior during my training.

I learned to fly gliders on a winch. On the day that I went solo I had 9 flights, 7 of which were simulated cable breaks.

Easy to practice when launches are only five bucks each.

- mark

[Mel]

Originally Posted by Mike S

Simulated rope break, and takeoff turnback was the last thing I did prior to my glider solo.

Of course, I did it a few times prior during my training.

Gets your attention the first time!