After days of nasty weather, I was finally allowed to make my first glider contest in our Alliance 34.
However I wasn’t able to finish the contest due to awful termals (between 1m/s and 2,5 m/s) and a very strong wind (over 30 knots). I eventually ended up landing in a field roughly 10km short of the destination.
Landing in a field isn’t uncommon for gliders. If done correctly, it’s not dangerous at all.
I’m going to have some 'Mericans teach me that @MishaCamp. Oh wait…
Jokes aside, I do glide. I’m not as experienced as I am with planes but I’m starting to understand the ins and out of catching and using thermals.
The massive advantage of gliding is the cost to be honest.
Not if you like the good old engine sound! But indeed, it can be very peaceful up there… as long as you don’t have to fight moderate turbulence and severe downdrafts.
In all seriousness now, I would love for you to do a video of your gliding. I know that for the really advanced there are some aerobatics one can do in the glider. That would be very interesting to see and how you manage the flight trying to maintain and./or gain altitude.
Yeah they’re definitely fun yet dangerous. Be careful with those wing drops!
With the winch, you only half a second to drop it before tipping over the wing. And once the wing has touched the ground, full aileron and full rudder may not be enough to save you.
In my opinion, towed departures are much much safer altough they are much more expensive.