Gliding - anyone done it?

[veeeffarr]

And how did you find it? A mate from work was going on about it, and I fancy giving it a go and it doesn't really cost that much for a taster session.

Thanks,

T

[ncrn]

I've done it with the RAF when I was younger, it was fun I really enjoyed it. It was a glider that had an engine though so it took off under its own power then the engine was turned off and I took control, I then got to line it up for landing but the pilot then landed it.

It was really fun and the sensations you get when flying one are just cool, especially when you get some negative G's going .
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[MarJay]

I've done it twice before, once with the air cadets and once in a private gliding club. Both winch launched and it was cracking fun.

The G forces of the winch launch were a thing to experience, especially coupled with the sudden silence and moment of almost weightlessness as the glider reaches the top of its flightpath.

Flipping awesome!
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[stinkwheel]

I did a fair bit in the Air Cadets in both powered and sailplane gliders. It's like riding a 3D motorbike.
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[veeeffarr]

Awesome, will sign myself up for a piece of that next year, cheers guys

[Robby]

Its good fun, I actually prefer gliding to powered flight - its proper seat of the pants stuff, the main instrument you use is a piece of red wool (because red is faster) sellotaped to the windscreen.

However, I prefer paragliding. Its cheaper and unregulated (officially). In reality the start up costs will cost you about a year and £5k, but it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to keep current like every other form of flying.

Would like to try hang gliding too, have yet to try that or helicopters. Or a gyroplane.

[nrml76]

I haven't flown in sail planes (gliders), but I Paraglide, and I am in the process of learning paramotoring. It is an absolutely phenomenal experience! Once you have had a go, you will be hooked for life. The closest description of the experience is that feels like sitting on a deck chair floating in the sky. Start up costs are very reasonable if you buy second hand. Even though you do not need a licence, it is advisable not to skimp on training, as it could very easily cost you your life. Possession of a BHPA licence + membership would provide you 3rd party insurance incase there is an accident or damage to property and also give you access to many sites. You might be better off training abroad on a holiday, as our weather is atrocious, and ideal learning conditions are not usually available on the days you are free. A lot of UK training schools offer a holiday + training package. If you are planning to take up the sport, feel free to send me a PM. I could advice you on equipment, point you in the direction of a few good training establishments and places where to find used equipment at reasonable prices.

Paramotoring is probably the one true freedom left in the country. You can fly what you like including home built machines, converted lawnmowers etc without the need for a license or checks of any sort, as long as you fly in unrestricted airspace, and keep clear of towns or cities or fly at an appropriate altitude above them. You can take off from and land on open fields instead of heading to a hill facing wind or being winched as required in free flight (paragliding).
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[quacker_boy]

I had a crack in a paraglider many years back when i was about 9ish i think. I would have enjoyed it except for one thing, me and my dad headed down from Nottingham to Exeter just us in the car so i'd eaten a silly amount of crappy food including several chocolate bars...

Cue me being sick a minute or so after take off
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[Itchy]

How does anybody reconcile such activities with a motorbike? ,

hang gliding looks interesting with <£1000 training costs and fairly reasonable costs for a hang glider but how the smeg do you transport one if you only have a bike? ,

sky diving sure sure you can pack it on the back of the bike paragliding too maybe unless you have one of those large fan type motors....

Though all schools are closed until March next year it seems ...
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[stinkwheel]

You usually keep your glider in a hangar at an airfield and ride your motorbike to it.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Ichy]

Or tow it behind the bike.

You just need to time your stops and look out for pylons.

[nrml76]

[DidierD]

I've been in a glider in Scotland once, was awsome fun!! Was well annoyed when I got told to line it up for landing

Its a good sensation, bit limited tho in my opinion, there's only so far u can go before u have to land or think "shit, I havn't got anywhere to land in time!"